Journalists around the globe are decrying an Egyptian court's decision to imprison three Al Jazeera English journalists on charges of making false news reports and aiding terrorists. Missouri School of Journalism professors Jim Flink, Mike McKean and Amy Simons discuss the issue.
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Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were arrested last December on charges of aiding the Muslim Brotherhood and producing false new reports about the situation in Egypt.
In an article covering the trial's outcome, Al Jazeera said they have "strenuously rejected the charges against [their] journalists and maintains their innocence."
Missouri School of Journalism Professor Mike McKean said the trial was "bizarre, nightmarish, and illogical."
This was a farce. Any fair-minded person would have to agree.
Professor Jim Flink said this trial is a wake up call for all journalists covering international conflicts.
In all sorts of places and all across the globe, what we are seeing happening to journalists is beyond the pale in terms of trying to get a story out and is intended to chill and to eliminate the message.