The Committee for Justice (CFJ) has documented arbitrary measures faced by journalists working at the “Al-Jamhor” website under its new management, which has implemented a systematic policy targeting the reduction of journalists and the restriction of their professional freedoms.
This followed the sudden change in editorial management at the end of 2024, leading to a series of violations and abuses against journalists, including arbitrary dismissals, salary cuts, and the absence of legal safeguards.
According to testimonies from journalists working at the website, most do not have formal employment contracts, making them vulnerable to losing their financial and professional rights. This policy reflects the absence of any clear legal framework governing the relationship between the institution and its employees, as journalists are treated as “temporary workers” without any guarantees or entitlements.
Journalists added that after the departure of the former editor-in-chief, the new management began implementing policies aimed at reducing the number of journalists, either by pressuring them into resigning or directly dismissing them without following any proper legal or administrative procedures. Among the prominent cases targeted were:
Journalist Nour El-Shaib: who worked in the “Studio” section and was abruptly dismissed in March 2025 without any investigation or prior notice. She confirmed that the administration justified her dismissal with undocumented reasons such as “exposing production” and “not adhering to timekeeping,” despite most colleagues working remotely by administrative decision, and her direct supervisor being aware of her work schedule. She was also not given an opportunity to settle her financial dues.
Journalist Osama Nasser: who worked for three months without a formal contract or fixed salary. After completing his training period, he was coerced into accepting a lower salary in exchange for remaining silent about the violations he experienced within the organization.
According to journalists’ testimonies, no proper legal or administrative procedures were followed in the dismissal processes. Those dismissed did not receive any prior warnings or opportunities to appeal; some even learned of their dismissal through the suspension of their email and professional accounts or via brief phone calls. Psychological and professional pressures were exerted on others to force them into signing unfair resignations.
The CFJ emphasizes that these violations are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic policy aimed at restricting press freedom and freedom of expression in Egypt. The committee calls on Egyptian authorities to put an end to these practices and work towards providing a safe and stable work environment for journalists, in accordance with international and local laws that guarantee freedom of journalistic work and protect the rights of media professionals.
The CFJ also urges the website’s management to open channels for dialogue with affected journalists, immediately halt these arbitrary measures, and reinstate those who were dismissed.