Skip to main content
  • English
  • العربية
  •  
  •  
Home Al Jazeera Media Network

A truly global network

play

Live

Main navigation

  • Who We Are
    • Our Story
    • Vision
    • Mission
    • Values
    • Our Journey
    • Virtual Tour
    • Code of Ethics
    • Editorial Standards
    • Code of Conduct
  • Leadership
  • Our Network
  • Faces
    • Arabic
    • English
    • Mubasher
    • Balkans
  • Awards
  • Events
  • Press Releases
  • More
    • Publications
    • Videos
    • FAQ
    • Press Kit
play

Live

Dr.Mostefa Souag Writes to the World Leaders to Join the Call for the Release of all Imprisoned Journalists

Published on: 03 May 2020
  • Share
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • WhatsApp

During this COVID-19 pandemic, I write to you to highlight the plight of Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein, detained in Egypt, as well as the plight of a large number of other journalists imprisoned around the world.

Al Jazeera calls on all governments to immediately release journalists that have been unjustly detained. Overcrowded and unhygienic prison conditions in countries such as Egypt, and elsewhere, are a breeding ground for COVID-19.

In today’s challenging times, journalists around the world are struggling to do their jobs informing their communities and increasing public awareness about the virus. They are doing this in the face of continuing restrictions and harassment by some governments.

As of March 2020, there were 320 journalists detained around the world, according to Reporters Without Borders. Most are imprisoned in China, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. These figures include 202 professional journalists; 107 citizen journalists; and 17 other media workers.

Egypt continues to be one of the leading violators of press freedom. Last year, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that over 60 journalists were being held in detention in Egypt.

One of those detained in Egypt is Al Jazeera’s very own, Mahmoud Hussein, a news editor based in Doha.  Hussein has been jailed, without charge, for over 1200 days. He was arrested in December 2016 during a visit to his family in Cairo.

With the high risk of transmission of COVID-19 in crowded prison conditions, we believe the time has come for the international community to pressure all governments to free unjustly detained journalists and to reaffirm the values of freedom of expression. As you are aware, many governments have already taken steps to release prisoners.

Amid this pandemic, we urge your good office to join our call to action for the immediate release of Mahmoud Hussein and all other journalists imprisoned around the world.

At Al Jazeera we stand in solidarity with all our colleagues in the media. We believe that no journalist should be intimidated, persecuted or imprisoned for carrying out their duty. We believe in the fundamental truth that freedom of speech is the very basic building block to uphold the values of democracy.

Dr. Mostefa Souag

A/Director General

 

PRESS RELEASES

Peabody awards two exclusive Al Jazeera documentaries on Gaza war carnage
Al Jazeera English wins two Overseas Press Club awards
Al Jazeera English’s Fault Lines Investigates Israeli Military Shootings of Children in Gaza
Al Jazeera strongly condemns the assassination of its correspondent in Gaza Hossam Shabat
Al Jazeera Arabic’s channel on YouTube surpasses 20 million subscribers
Al Jazeera English's Gaza investigative film by Fault Lines receives prestigious RTS Award
Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on recent election loss, Easter bombing investigations, and prosecution of the Rajapaksa family
Al Jazeera Documentary Industry Days opens submissions for 4th edition
Al Jazeera English ‘Head to Head’ interview with Kimani Ichung’wah, the Majority leader of the Kenyan National Assembly
Al Jazeera Media Institute Partners with the University of Aberdeen on a Master's Programme
‘The Palestine Laboratory’ exposes Israel’s export of unique systems of control and surveillance technology around the world
Al Jazeera condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of Mohamad Atrash by the Palestinian Authority and calls for his immediate release
  • Load More

About

  • About Us
  • Code of Ethics
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Cookie preferences
  • Work for us

Connect

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with us
  • Apps
  • Channel Finder
  • TV Schedule
  • Podcasts
  • Submit a Tip

Our Channels

  • Al Jazeera Arabic
  • Al Jazeera English
  • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
  • Al Jazeera Mubasher
  • Al Jazeera Documentary
  • Al Jazeera Balkans
  • AJ +

Our Network

  • Al Jazeera Center for Studies
  • Al Jazeera Media Institute
  • Learn Arabic
  • Al Jazeera Center for Public Liberties & Human Rights
  • Al Jazeera Forum
  • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners
 

© 2025 Al Jazeera Media Network.