The Qatari news network Al-Jazeera is suing the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram over a story about the channel’s dress code, reports Earth Times. An article entitled “Jazeerat Al-Taharoush” ("The Island of Harassment") was published in Al-Ahram on June 9, indicating that the news network pressured its female presenters into wearing the headscarf.

An Al-Jazeera spokesperson declared that the allegations made against the network "were completely baseless, and without merit, and were aimed at damaging the reputation of the Al-Jazeera network."
According to the lawsuit, Al-Ahram supervisor Atef Hazeen reported the statements in interviews on several satellite channels. Hazeen and staff members at the newspaper are also facing personal lawsuits.

Five women anchors resigned from Al-Jazeera in January, claiming that the company had mishandled their complaints against a superior who allegedly harassed them by telling them that they were dressed immodestly.

Al-Jazeera’s spokesperson confirmed that the network plans to take legal action against Al-Ahram, and is initiating civil and criminal proceedings against the newspaper in Egypt and the in UK. According to Gulf Times, the lawsuits include criminal proceedings against Editor-in-Chief Osama Saraya, supervisor Atef Hazeen and Jihan Sharawi, the journalist who wrote the controversial article.

The Egyptian newspaper has expressed concern about an unfavorable Supreme Court ruling, which could lead to the closure of the newspaper’s London office and the loss of the journalists' right to enter and report from the Kingdom, reports Waleg.

The channel, which demanded five million pounds in damages (about 877,000 USD), stated that the Al-Ahram report was criticized by the daily's own management in an attempt to appease Al-Jazeera and avoid the lawsuit.

Al-Jazeera’s spokesperson indicated that the main purpose of these legal proceedings is not financial compensation; rather the key objective of the lawsuit is to ensure that professional standards are upheld and maintained at a high level throughout the journalism industry.