An Egyptian editor was sentenced to one-year in prison on Wednesday as the Egyptian government continued its efforts to censor media in the country. Press freedom groups have condemned the ruling, saying Cairo is doing little to ensure freedom of the press. Ahmed Baker Seleem, editor of the Cairo Today newspaper, was handed a one-year jail term for publishing a newspaper without a license, the state-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported. Seleem, who was also fined 10,000 Egyptian pounds (US$1,845), is currently free on bail while he awaits appeal. The case was brought to court after a rival newspaper accused Seleem of defamation. It was later discovered that Cairo Today had been publishing without a license. The Supreme Press Council, which is part of the Upper House of Parliament and dominated by members of the ruling National Democratic Party, is responsible for issuing publishing licenses.
