Press watchdog slams Egypt government takeover of Cairo newspaper

A press freedom group has called on Egyptian authorities to reverse their decision to take over a daily newspaper, a day after security forces stormed its headquarters.

Reporters Without Borders said on Tuesday the decision to take over al-Mesryoon was taken by a government commission charged with confiscating assets held by the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group. It said the state-run daily Akhbar el-Yom has been put in charge of running al-Mesryoon.

Sophie Anmuth, RSF's Middle East director, said Egyptian authorities "have yet again demonstrated an inability to tolerate criticism, no matter how moderate".

"Any person or media outlet that upsets the government is now automatically accused of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, and that is enough to be targeted," she added.

RSF ranked Egypt 161st out of 180 countries on its 2017 World Press Freedom Index.

Read more: In Egypt, the slow death of journalism continues

Authorities have blocked hundreds of websites as part of a heavy crackdown on dissent, while vague laws criminalise the spreading of "false news".

At least 39 professional and non-professional journalists are currently held in Egypt in connection with their reporting, RSF said.