Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
Sri Lanka: No justice for Lasantha Wickrematunge as murder suspects releasedPFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalismHum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI toolsEnhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory adsBlogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepensPTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilitiesWill PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battleDefying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in PakistanIndia revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outletsUkraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda reportTwo Cambodian journalists detained over cyber scam torture video

Egypt TV presenter sentenced to prison for interviewing gay man

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published January 25, 2019

Join our WhatsApp channel

Egypt TV presenter sentenced to prison for interviewing gay man

NEW YORK - Egyptian authorities should drop all charges against TV presenter Mohamed al-Gheiti and stop their relentless campaign against journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.

Al-Gheiti, the host of the show ‘Sah al-Noum’ for the privately owned network LTC TV, was sentenced to a year in prison on January 20 and a fine of 3,000 Egyptian pounds (US$168) on charges of promoting homosexuality and inciting debauchery by a Giza Misdemeanor Court, according to CNN and the state-run Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram.

The charges stem from an August 2018 episode of al-Gheiti's show in which he interviewed a gay man about his relationships and his prior activity as a sex worker, according to CNN.

Al-Gheiti also interviewed a journalist, Mustafa Mekki, who posed as a gay man on the dating app Grindr to learn more about the community, CNN reported.

An article on BBC Arabic quoted al-Gheiti as saying that he had filed an appeal. CPJ could not determine whether or not al-Gheiti has been imprisoned, and LTC TV did not immediately respond when contacted via Facebook regarding al-Gheiti's status. An email to the office of Egypt's prosecutor general seeking comment and clarification on al-Gheiti's status was not returned.

"Mohamed al-Gheiti has every right to report on LGBT issues in Egypt, and if a viewer isn't interested, the normal course of behavior would be to change the channel, not pursue legal charges and a prison sentence for the journalist," CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said from Washington, D.C.. "Al-Gheiti's conviction should be overturned on appeal, and Egyptian authorities must stop looking for excuses to lock up the press."

According to BBC Arabic, Egypt's Supreme Media Regulatory Council suspended al-Gheiti's show for two weeks for "professional violations" in August 2018, after the interview aired. The Supreme Media Regulatory Council issued a ruling in September 2017 barring LGBT individuals from media appearances and calling homosexuality "a sickness and a disgrace," adding that LGBT individuals were only allowed to make media appearances "when they acknowledge the fact that their conduct is inappropriate and repent for it."

The charges against al-Gheiti stem from a lawsuit filed by private lawyer Samir Sabri for hosting the unidentified man on his show, according to CNN and Al-Ahram. Egypt's justice system allows private citizens to file criminal complaints against others, and the prosecutor general ultimately decides whether or not to take up the complaint and file formal charges.

Egypt does not have formal laws against homosexuality, but authorities routinely target members of the LGBT community with charges such as "inciting debauchery."

Al-Gheiti's sentence comes amid a brutal crackdown on press freedom that has landed Egypt among the ranks of the world's worst jailers of journalists, as well as a simultaneous withering crackdown against Egypt's LGBT community, according to Foreign Policy and NPR. Egypt held at least 25 journalists behind bars as of December 1, 2018, according to CPJ research. – A CPJ News Alert

PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalism

PFUJ to IHC: PECA Law must be suspended to protect journalism

 February 11, 2025:  The PFUJ has petitioned the Islamabad High Court to suspend the PECA Amendment Act, arguing that the law curtails press freedom and contains contradictory provisions. The court has issued a notice to the Attorney General for assistance.

Hum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools

Hum News leads the way: First Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools

 February 09, 2025:  Hum News Network becomes the first Pakistani channel to embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek, enhancing productivity and innovation. Discover how this visionary move sets new standards in media.

Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory ads

Youm-e-Tameer-o-Taraqi or Youm-e-Tabahi? Government spends millions on self-congratulatory ads

 February 08, 2025:  As Pakistan faces an economic crisis, the government splurges taxpayers' money on full-page ads and press releases to glorify its achievements. Critics call it a wasteful PR stunt. Read how public funds are being misused for political propaganda.

PTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilities

PTV pensioners continue protests over unpaid dues and medical facilities

 February 07, 2025:  PTV pensioners staged nationwide protests demanding their unpaid pensions, medical benefits, and dues for nearly 400 retirees. Protesters, supported by PFUJ, criticized PTV management for corruption and lavish expenses while neglecting retirees' rights.

Will PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battle

Will PECA 2025 law be repealed? PFUJ begins a legal battle

 February 06, 2025:  PFUJ has challenged the controversial PECA Act 2025 in the Islamabad High Court, citing it as an attack on press freedom. Journalists and rights organizations protest the law’s implications for free speech and media independence in Pakistan.

Defying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in Pakistan

Defying threats: Munizae Jahangir's story reveals what it costs to be a woman journalist in Pakistan

 February 06, 2025:  Pakistani women journalists like Munizae Jahangir and Asma Shirazi face severe threats, harassment, and online abuse. This article explores the struggles of women in media, the systemic challenges, and potential solutions to ensure press freedom and journalist safety.

Contrasting paths:  White House welcomes digital media, Pakistan crushes it

Contrasting paths: White House welcomes digital media, Pakistan crushes it

 January 29, 2025:  As the White House welcomes podcasters and digital journalists, Pakistan tightens censorship through PECA amendments, silencing independent voices and forcing journalists into exile. A stark contrast in press freedom emerges.

PECA amendments further tighten government's grip on digital expression: IFJ

PECA amendments further tighten government's grip on digital expression: IFJ

 January 29, 2025:  Pakistan’s latest PECA amendments expand government control over social media, criminalize misinformation, and threaten freedom of expression. Media stakeholders and human rights groups condemn the draconian changes. Learn more about the implications for journalists and activists.

Newsroom
Sri Lanka: No justice for Lasantha Wickrematunge as murder suspects released

Sri Lanka: No justice for Lasantha Wickrematunge as murder suspects released

 February 14, 2025 Justice remains elusive 16 years after the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, as Sri Lanka’s Attorney General orders the release of three key suspects. Journalist organizations strongly condemn the move, calling for urgent action to end impunity for crimes against the media.

Enhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025

Enhancing trauma reporting: Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025

 February 09, 2025 The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2025 is open for applications! This prestigious program at Columbia University offers journalists an intensive seminar on trauma reporting, media ethics, and responsible journalism. Apply by March 3, 2025.

Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepens

Blogger killed, editor missing as Mozambique's press freedom crisis deepens

 February 07, 2025 Mozambican journalist Albino Sibia was killed while filming police brutality, and reporter Pedro Junior was shot covering his funeral. Arlindo Chissale remains missing. These attacks highlight the dire state of press freedom in Mozambique amid post-election unrest.

India revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outlets

India revokes nonprofit and tax status of news outlets

 February 05, 2025 The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the Indian government to stop targeting independent journalism after revoking the nonprofit and tax-exempt statuses of The Reporters’ Collective and The File. Learn how this impacts investigative reporting and media freedom in India.

Ukraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda report

Ukraine's security service opens criminal case after Ukrainska Pravda report

 February 04, 2025 Ukraine’s security service (SBU) has opened a criminal case for disclosure of state secrets following Ukrainska Pravda’s report on statements by military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. CPJ urges authorities to respect press freedom and journalist protections.