Twenty-two Egyptian publications suspended publication Sunday to protest the perception that the government has jailed journalists to prevent criticism of President Hosni Mubarak. 

To protest the government's perceived crackdown on freedom of expression and the jailing of prominent journalists, 22 independent and opposition Egyptian publications suspended print Sunday.
""This is the least they can do. The authorities wanted to silence the press, but those papers have sent their message across to the whole world,"" said 19-year-old student Mohamed Shabban, describing the biggest protest of its kind by Egyptian newspapers.
Eleven Egyptian journalists, including five prominent editors in chief, received prison sentences last month for criticizing the Egyptian president and senior officials, including the president's son, Gamal Mubarak, who is the assistant secretary general of the ruling National Democratic Party and is widely believed to be the potential ""heir"" to the presidency.
All the cases against the journalists were filed by individuals affiliated to the NDP, and the lawsuits are based on grounds of ""concern and protection of the society.""
Many observers say the government aims to scare journalists from discussing power ""inheritance"" from current president Hosni Mubarak to his son. The timing of the escalation against journalists follows speculations on President Mubarak's health and debate on succession.
In recent months the regime has also cracked down on the Muslim brotherhood. A fifth of Egypt's parliamentarians won their seats as independent candidates but are openly recognized as members of the officially banned Muslim brothers.
Senior members of this group, who do not enjoy the same protection by the Parliament, have been rounded up and tried in military courts for belonging to an outlawed group and money laundering. ""The regime in Egypt wants to eliminate all influential political players to pave the way for the inheritance. They jailed the Muslim brothers and now the journalists.
(Source: ABC)