Dozens of Egyptian journalists protested on Thursday afternoon against the recent violence they've been subjected to while covering events in the field as well as what they say is a campaign to prevent them from doing their jobs.
The protest, called by the Journalists' Syndicate and held at its headquarters in downtown Cairo, condemned "deliberate attacks journalists are subjected to and the fierce campaign aiming to prevent them from … reporting the truth to the people," the syndicate said in an earlier statement.
The protesters on Thursday, joined by the syndicate's head Diaa Rashwan, shouted anti-police slogans and held blood-stained shrouds in condemnation of the violence.
Journalists have repeatedly complained of being targeted by the police and supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi while covering clashes. The violence has occasionally been fatal to news gatherers.
A 22-year-old female journalist was shot dead in Cairo on 28 March while reporting on clashes between police and Islamists protesting against ex-army chief Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's presidency bid.
On Monday, two journalists from privately-owned media outlets were shot while covering clashes between students and riot police at Cairo University.
In response to Monday's violence, syndicate head Rashwan called for an indefinite halt on field reporting until "security authorities do their duty in protecting journalists."
In 2013, the US-based NGO Committee to Protect Journalists ranked Egypt as the third-deadliest country in the world for journalists. Egyptian journalists have staged several protests calling for protection while on the job.
Egypt has been rocked by violence since Morsi's removal last July, with his supporters staging near daily protests against interim authorities that often descend into violent confrontations with security forces.
