(AFP Photo)
Around 200 Islamists blocked Gate 2 of the Egyptian Media Production City (EMPC) on Sunday in protest of what they describe as media bias against Islamists and unfair coverage of the Friday clashes in front of the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters.
The protesters, wearing green headbands saying “There is no God but Allah” and carrying black flags with the same message as well as Al-Raya Party flags, refused to allow anyone to enter the EMPC from Gate 2.
At Gate 4 dozens more protesters gathered, but did not bar anyone from entering. They checked cars and asked pedestrians who they were and why they were entering the complex.
Protesters said they were there to denounce media bias against Islamists and to “teach a lesson” to certain media personalities who “stoke the flames of violence”.
When asked if their protest would be peaceful, one protester said: “We would much prefer it to be peaceful and we are here just to deliver a message, but if someone like the dog Bassem Youssef shows up, we have no problem in slapping him around a little, as long as we don’t cause serious injuries.”
Several newspapers such as state-owned Al-Ahram reported that their journalists were attacked as they attempted to cover the protest.
At the time of print reports from inside EMPC indicated there were clashes between protesters and security forces. A truce was negotiated shortly after.
On Saturday Islamist groups and figures called on their supporters to surround the EMPC on Sunday in response to the Friday clashes in front of the Muslim Brotherhood’s headquarters in Moqattam.
Salafi preacher and Al-Raya Party leader Hazem Salah Abu Ismail posted on his Facebook page a call for protests at the EMPC, where most satellite television station studios are housed, as well as “peacefully laying siege” to liberal parties’ headquarters and the houses of liberal opposition leaders.
Salafi protesters besieged the EPMC for a week last December, also protesting media bias. The sit-in included the closing of entrance gates and checking of cars for certain “wanted” media personalities.
