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11/22/2024 04:35:09 am

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Al Jazeera Shutting Down Egypt Office After Authorities Revoke Network License

(Photo : uk.reuters.com)

In a move to control news channels in the nation, Egyptian authorities are revoking Al Jazeera's license to broadcast from the country, causing the network to let go of dozens of employees in their Cairo office, reports state.

Security forces also reportedly raided Al Jazeera's Egypt news offices and detained at least five of the staff. Four of them were later released, eyewitnesses said.

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The network was notified that its licensed was revoked on Sunday and later released a statement condemning the move.

"Al Jazeera sees this as an act designed to stifle and repress the freedom of reporting by the network and its journalists," the statement said.  

However, the network announced that it plans on standing strong and will still continue its stellar global coverage, including comprehensive reporting on events happening in and around Egypt.

"Al Jazeera journalists have brought unparallelled reporting from the ground from across Egypt in the face of great danger and extraordinary circumstances. Al Jazeera Network is appalled at this latest attack by the Egyptian regime to strike at its freedom to report independently on the unprecedented events in Egypt," the statement continued.

Based out of Qatar, Al Jazeera has received global recognition in recent years as one of the most prominent international news sources in the world.

The network has been consistently targeted by the Egyptian government as freedom of the press grows rare in the nation. In the past, Egyptian authorities have accused Al Jazeera of being a mouthpiece for the Muslim Brotherhood, and have even detained and arrested several reporters from the network.

In 2013, the news network was ordered to stop broadcasting in Egypt, however, Al Jazeera kept an office open and running in case the situation changed.

Al Jazeera's remaining employees in Egypt have been informed that they will be receiving their final paychecks this month.

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