(Al-Azhar University is the center of Arabic literature and Sunni Islamic learning in the world and the world's second oldest surviving degree granting university. Its mission includes the propagation of Islamic religion and culture and its Islamic scholars (ulemas) render edicts (fatwas) on disputes submitted to them from all over the Sunni Islamic world regarding proper conduct for Muslim individuals or societies. Al-Azhar also trains Egyptian government appointed preachers in proselytization (da'wa).)
Exactly three years ago, the newly-elected president of the Union of Egyptian Journalists proclaimed that President Hosni Mubarak had promised to abolish prison sentences for journalists in connection with their work. Three years later, nothing has changed.
Despite all the recent rhetoric to the contrary, thirty-five offences, including defamation and insulting President Mubarak or a foreign head of state, continue to be punishable by imprisonment. The ceiling for certain fines has been doubled. In cases of very large fines, journalists can be imprisoned as debtors if they are not in a position to pay the fine immediately.
Prominent journalists are currently being prosecuted for articles they have written and are facing imprisonment. They have been sentenced to a year in prison and fines of 10,000 Egyptian pounds (1,400 euros) for insulting President Mubarak.
Egyptian journalists working for foreign news media have also not been spared. An Al-Jazeera reporter was prosecuted on a charge of "endangering the national interest and the country's reputation" in connection with a documentary she was making about torture in Egyptian prisons.
Nor has much changed elsewhere in the world's truth-repression zones. There is no Get Out of Jail Free card for journalists - citizen and otherwise - who happen to have been born in one of these zones. And, sadly to say, they are increasing.
We are not in such a zone. Our newspaper industry may be disappearing, but we're in the process of reinventing the information business. And ranting and raving - misinformation, disinformation -- is simply a part of that process. Exasperating as that may be!
OK, I acknowledge that I would be happier if those I disagree with at least expressed themselves rationally. And, yes, maybe I could live without the Glenn Becks and Michele Bachmanns of the world.
But, then, where would I go for belly laughs?
Well, I guess there's always Rush Limbaugh.
But I'm happy enough just knowing I'm one of the lucky ones who doesn't have to worry about the door knock at 2 A.M. And happy Glenn Beck doesn't have to worry either.
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