Cairo under fire for blocking critical websites

Egypt has blocked Internet access to the website of an international media watchdog that provides support for journalists and champions media freedoms. Reporters Without Borders, also known under its French acronym RSF, said users in Egypt have been unable to access its website since 14 August. A report on the News24 site notes that it called on the authorities to provide an explanation as to the reason for the block. An Egyptian watchdog, The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, says that at least 135 other websites have been blocked in Egypt in a sweeping campaign that started in May against sites critical of the government and the so-called VPN sites that help users bypass the block.