The Story Behind the Times Correspondent Who Faced Arrest in Cairo

Declan Walsh is our best. The best risk it all. And they commit to educate us. Under Trump, no honest reporter is truly safe in various countries. Mr. Walsh offers a partial list. When the voice of truth is threatened, fascism and totalitarianism is close by. When The United States gets sick, many others are terminal. We are sick.

Kudos to all journalists the world over who risk their lives every day in the interest of free speech and democracy. Thank you for your service. We salute you, your cause and your bravery!

trump is evil.

"My favorite dictator" - that says it all. Thank you for bravely using your voice.

Glad that Mr Walsh has an embassy to protect him from the wrath of Sissi and his thugs. Unfortunately, thousands of Egyptians had no where to go for protection as their own government arrested them this week for demonstrating peacefully against the brutal regime ruling Egypt with an iron fist. Just this morning several political analysts and politicians were apprehended at home to preempt further protests. Not to mention extra judicial killing by the police, over 20 young people were killed by the police this week alone, hundreds thus far this year. None of these killings were investigated as Sissi promised his thugs that he will provide them immunity from prosecution as long as they obey his commands. The reason for the recent upheaval is revelation by s contractor who used to work on palaces build by the government for Sissi, his family and cronies who recently defected to Europe and posted videos including eye witness account of the excesses. How does Sissi respond? he arranges a meeting where not only admit to building the palaces but bragging about building more. In a country where 30% are below a very timid poverty line, if we apply western standards, 90% of Egyptians will classified as poor or extremely poor (basically eating food from garbage). The Egyptians are are determined to rid Egypt of this thug and his cronies.

"President Trump’s near-daily attacks on the press, and his use of the loaded term “enemy of the people,” gives succor to autocrats like Mr. el-Sisi who view the free press as an irritant to be quashed." All Trump's fault. Got it. Narrative affirmed. Carry on.

The heroic coverage of Arab Spring nearly eight years ago was a reminder of just how perilous the task of getting information about the activities of repressive governments can be to journalists. With the near constant belittling and denigrating of the press by today's American executive branch, we are reminded how fragile and valuable a free press is even in a democracy. The world needs well funded, committed and powerful news organizations staffed with brave people like Mr. Walsh. Couch potato opinion pieces published on the internet or spread by social media can never substitute for experienced eyes on the ground, and wise editors.

It’s sickening to read about this trend. I hope I am like most Americans in saying I stand behind you and the important work you do. Be safe.

"Times journalists have long relied on the U.S. government to intervene when danger arises abroad. That may no longer be the case." I am totally confused. Mr. Declan, who is an Irish citizen, not a US citizen, was expelled from Pakistan in 2013 when he worked for The Guardian. He mentions his expulsion but neglects to mention which newspaper he worked for. Did he expect the UK to intervene and have his back? Obviously nobody prevented his expulsion, and in a country like Pakistan, toss of the dice whether expulsion or arrest. Did Ireland get involved here? No mention of that. But Mr. Declan seems to think that the US is the journalism policeman: "In 2013 I was expelled from Pakistan, where I had been living for nine years. On that occasion, State Department officials went to great lengths to stall my expulsion, and they advised me directly on my safety. They later lobbied the Pakistanis to allow me to return." But he worked for The Guardian, an English newspaper. Jason Rezian of the Washington Post was released from prison in Iran in 2016 and and that same day it was announced that the US (Obama) government transferred 400 million dollars to Iran. Is Mr. Declan suggesting that the US government cover the back of reporters by paying ransoms? In the final analysis, the Egyptians extended his press card to 2020. Is it really fair that the US police the journalistic world?

Trump’s caustic and constant critique of the press is a violation of his oath to uphold the US constitution in that the first amendment guarantees press freedom. This means freedom from a president’s attacks

This tale is nothing more than a typical example of Trump's pettiness, even though a human life was at risk. Be thankful Mr Walsh that there are still thousands of honorable people still working for the State Department at home and abroad who are willing to do what they know is the right thing, and give Trump and his administration a deaf ear. The reality is that Trump regards people like Mr. el-Sisii as an ally. In fact Trump recently meet with him in the White House, and greeted el-Sisii with a 'Look who it is our Favorite Dictator'.

I'm a citizen of neither the US nor Ireland. Why should the US authorities be tasked with protecting that reporter from arrest when the Irish authorities were present, willing and able to do so? Simply because he was employed by a US firm? Would things not have been different if there had been no Irish Embassy? Probably. If he'd held a US passport? Very probably. "Journalists can’t rely on the United States government to have our back as it once did." Irish journalists, certainly.

Thank you for your courage and for your important work.

Thank You Mr Declan Walsh for your extraordinary actions to bring us the facts about things in Egypt. There is no greater public service than what you and many more journalists do to bring us, the public, the truth. I read the Sulzberger article and was so pleased that you were able to get extracted from an explosive situation. That article greatly opened my eyes to the situation that you face and even more despairing, that which faces others like you who do not have a NYTimes at their back, even to having ruthless dictators wanting them harmed or even killed. That article brought me to seek to join the groups that work to protect all journalists. Thank you! And I wish you much safety and success.

I can't conceive of the courage it must take to continue to report these stories under such dangerous conditions, but I for one am eternally grateful for you Mr. Walsh, and your colleagues, who continually endanger, and sometimes even give, their lives in the service of informing the world by bringing these horrific stories into the light. Thank you.

I am a US citizen and a tv cameraperson/editor. In 1988, I was working for ITN News (British tv) and had just arrived in Panama to cover the Noriega story. As I left the airport I was immediately arrested and taken in for questioning about some filming the prior crew had done. When I didn't show up at the hotel, the US ambassador was called. The ITN team explained I was a US citizen and they suspected something happened to me. He promptly told them that the US State Department had issued a warning to Americans not to travel to Panama so I was on my own. To this day, I am thankful that the British Ambassador, Margaret Bryan, had no such "reluctance" came to my aid and got me released in a timely manner without harm. I knew from then on not to expect help from my own government. This was further cemented into my head when the US military bombed our hotel the Al-Rasheed in Baghdad in 1991, taking out the kitchen and killing several staff. My room was 5 stories above the blast site and I was lucky to escape unharmed. The DOD knew the world press was in this hotel but chose to bomb it anyway.

Trump politicizes yet another government function. Governing by petulance and pettiness. What a surprise.

Fortunately for Mr. Walsh and the rest of us, the Trump Administration's indifference to his fate did not make him a prequel to Jamal Khashoggi's murder.

I have worried about journalists since trump was elected. Even wondered if all those tents being built in southwest for immigrants are really being prepared for journalists if trump wins in 2020.

Sad, the constitutional press being attacked daily by our own president who favors brutal dictators over our long time allies, with the blessing of the Republican Party. But the good news is the impeachment process began today, and with any luck, Mr. Trump's true loyalties will be revealed, and this ain't fake news!

Unfortunately trump and his ... whatever supporters have no problem with what happened to Khashoggi happening to other journalists too. Look how many shooters and bombers within our own country threatening prominent news organizations - this week alone - and support the trump. Enemies of the truth are the true menace.

Please be safe. Thank you for your work.

My framing of journalists and what they do changed today. Thank you and your colleagues for your service to our country and to the world. We need to hear these stories, to know what happens behind the publications, the reporting. May you stay safe.