Anti-Morsi action, talk discouraged

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CAIRO, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Some Egyptian diplomats and media personnel said their superiors have told them to refrain from criticizing President Mohamed Morsi.

Opposition forces have criticized Morsi for his alleged attempts to curb freedoms since he came to power in the country's first freely contested elections this year, Ahram Online reported.

One young diplomat, whose name was not reported, said his boss told him "not to confuse my role as a diplomat with that of an activist."

"I was summoned into the office of the assistant [foreign] minister; he said we were all partners in making the [January] revolution a success and now we should be sensible to help the president deliver the hopes and dreams of the revolution," he said.

Editors and broadcasters at state-run radio and television channels have received similar warnings, Ahram Online reported. One broadcaster of an entertainment show said her superior told her "we have photos of you taking part in the demonstrations against the political leadership next to the presidential palace."

"I told him he did not need get the photos because, yes, I was there and yes I would go there again and if he wants me to be legally penalised, he needs to start an official investigation into my professional conduct -- otherwise he has no business with my political choices," she said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Jihad movement has called for a demonstration Sunday in front of the High Court to protest against the judges' strike.

Mohamed Abu Samra, secretary-general of the group, said the judges' strike is infringing on the people's rights at court, al-Masry al-Youm reported.