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Egypt imposes travel restrictions on journalists

Reporters for state-run newspapers in Egypt will now have to get permission from the government to travel to certain countries.
Journalists carry Yehia Kalash, head of the Egyptian press syndicate, during a protest against restrictions on the press and to demand the release of detained journalists, in front of the Egyptian Press Syndicate's headquarters in downtown Cairo, Egypt May 4, 2016. Picture taken May 4, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany - S1AEUNYDSEAA

CAIRO — Egypt's National Press Authority (NPA) recently issued a travel restriction that some in the news business consider a blessing, while others see it as a curse.

The move obliges reporters, editors-in-chief and board chairmen working for state-run newspapers to get NPA permission before heading to seven "restless" countries: Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Turkey, Sudan, Yemen and Libya. Before the mandate was issued, journalists needed only the approval of their editor-in-chief and board chairman to travel there for work. Journalists are still free to travel to these countries without formal approval on their own time.

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