Opposition Protests Mursi’s Decree, Press Refuses to Print

Local Editor

Egyptian independent and opposition newspapers refused to publish their Tuesday editions in protest against lack of press freedom in the country's draft constitution, set for a popular referendum on December 15.

According to al-Tahrir daily the "move was in order to stand up to tyranny."
"The Egyptian Independent objects to continue restrictions on media liberties, especially after hundreds of Egyptians gave their lives for freedom," read a message on that newspaper's website, its only viewable content on Tuesday morning.
For its part, al-Masry al-Youm daily said the papers were "protesting against the articles on the press in the draft constitution... and reject President Mohammed Mursi's November 22 decree."

The decree gave Mursi new sweeping powers, placing his decisions and the constituent assembly, which drafted the charter, beyond judicial oversight.
This comes as the opposition plans to rally at the presidential palace on Tuesday to protest against the charter, the vote and Mursi's decree.

However, government newspapers, including al-Ahram, went to print as usual on Tuesday.
Private television channels are to join the protest on Wednesday, refusing to broadcast, some newspapers said.
The constitution has become the focal point of Egypt's biggest political crisis since Mursi's election June.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org