Al-Jazeera television journalist Mohamed Fadel Fahmy has initiated Supreme Court proceedings in Canada, demanding compensation of $US 100 million from the Doha-based network. Fahmy, who spent more than 400 days in jail on charges of supporting a terrorist organization and spreading false news, accused Al-Jazeera of negligence during a press conference that was televised on Egypt’s ONTV. During the press conference in Cairo, Joana Gialason, Fahmy’s lawyer, said the lawsuit is aimed at holding Al-Jazeera accountable for its negligence in its conduct towards Fahmy, who is a naturalized Canadian citizen. Al-Jazeera is accused of negligence that resulted in Fahmy’s initial conviction and imprisonment. During the press conference, Fahmy accused Al-Jazeera Arabic’s coverage of supporting and promoting the Muslim Brotherhood, stating that “this is not journalism, it’s propaganda.” The statements were made on live television with a large banner in the background that read “Journalism is Not Political Activism.” Fahmy, who held a moment of silence for journalists killed, stated that his colleagues were endangered and harmed by Al-Jazeera Arabic’s “association” with the Muslim Brotherhood. Fahmy added that Al-Jazeera Arabic intended to harm Egyptian society and waged a campaign of violence…
Freed Journalist Accuses Al-Jazeera of ‘Propaganda’, Sues for Negligence
May 11, 2015
