Egypt Military Shuts Down News Channels

(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Egypt's military shut down several TV stations, including one operated by the Muslim Brotherhood, after President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown by the army, media reported Thursday. Al Jazeera's Egyptian news channel also reported being raided and having at least five of its staff members detained (four were later released). The channel, Al Jazeera Mubasher Misr, was banned from broadcasting from a rally supporting Morsi in Cairo and its crew there was detained. A Muslim Brotherhood-owned station, Egypt25, was also among those shut down by authorities. Despite concerns over the implications of shutting down news coverage based on political perspective, a spokesman for the National Salvation Front defended the move, citing "exceptional circumstances."