Al Jazeera is calling for a global day of action next week in support of its journalists jailed in Egypt. The trial of Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste, and Baher Mohamedhas been adjourned until March 5 after they pleaded not guilty to all charges against them. In a statement, Al Jazeera English managing director Al Ansteysays the network is “deeply disappointed” the journalists were not released:
The charges against our staff are baseless, unacceptable, and wholly unjustified. What is going in in in Egypt right now is a trial of journalism itself, so it is critical that we remain resolute in calling for freedom of speech, for the right for people to know, and for the immediate release of all of Al Jazeera’s journalists in detention in Egypt.
We truly appreciate the solidarity from journalists and individuals right around the world. The pressure has continued to build since they were taken into custody. We must keep this up, so we ask everyone to contribute to the Global Day of Action on Thursday 27th February. Journalism is not a crime.
The Global Day of Action comes after an international group of news organizations, including NBC, ABC and the BBC, called for the release of the journalists.