The President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, made the following statement on yesterday's decision of Egypt's transitional authorities to restrict permits for satellite channels:

"I am deeply disappointed by Thursday's decision of Egypt's Military Council and the cabinet of Prime Minister Essam Sharaf to restrict access to satellite channels.

This decision puts Egypt's path towards fair, free and pluralist elections in jeopardy. It sends a negative signal with regard to the commitment of Egypt's authorities to freedom of expression and media. True democracy lives from pluralism of visions, programmes and proposals.

Criticism should not be feared, but used to mobilise political leaders to seek policies to the benefit of the people. Persecuting those who voice their critical opinions - journalists, bloggers, activists - cannot be justified.

On Saturday, I will attend a conference in Gdańsk, Poland, dedicated to the role of free media in democratic transformation. We will have an opportunity to share Poland's experience of the past twenty years with invited opposition leaders from Tunisia and Egypt."

• Robert A. Golański

  Spokesman

  Mobile: +32 475 751 663

• Friedrich Bokern

  Press Officer

  Mobile: +32 498 981 348