[JURIST] On appeal from a guilty verdict in 2014, three Al Jazeera [official website] journalists on Saturday received a three-year prison sentence [Al Jazeera report] for their roles in releasing video footage that allegedly contained false news in support of the Muslim Brotherhood [BBC backgrounder]. Two of the journalists were present [CNN report] at the proceedings, while the other journalist was sentenced in absentia, as a result of his prior deportation from Egypt in February 2015. In the ruling from Judge Hassan Farid, he stated that the men were sentenced to prison because they had not registered with the country’s journalist syndicate. Saturday’s ruling has generated substantial international criticism from advocates of free speech and freedom of the press. Earlier this month, the hearing was postponed [JURIST report] because of security reasons.

The prosecution and subsequent imprisonment of journalists by the Egyptian government has garnered widespread criticism from governments and rights groups worldwide. Ten days ago, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi approved a 54-article counter-terrorism law [JURIST report] which has been met with significant controversy, as many believe it infringes on the freedom of the press. Many have said that the law defines [AP report] “terrorism” broadly and it imposes harsh sentences and fines on violators. The news agency Al Jazeera reported that some of the fines exceed $25,000 and will be levied against journalists who broadcast reports that contradict the government. Al Jazeera argues this crack down on freedom of the press could effectively dissolve small news agencies in Egypt and deter them from reporting important events for fear of governmental retaliation. Human Rights Watch [official website] criticized Egypt’s new counterterrorism law [JURIST report] saying it infringes on freedom of the press. HRW opposes the fact that the new law gives prosecutors the power to detain suspects without a court order. Last week, Egyptian police arrested three people under a the law for their role in spreading propaganda [JURIST report] related to the Islamic State (IS) on Facebook.