Al Jazeera calls for global support for staff

Journalists in 40 cities around the world staged vigils in solidarity with Al Jazeera staff jailed in Egypt, and called for freedom of the press.

Human rights activists, supporters of media freedom and journalists launched the day of action in Sydney by calling for for the release of Peter Greste, an Australian citizen, and his three colleagues held without trial since December.

Freedom of speech in Egypt has been the focus of growing global concern since the country's government adopted a hardline approach towards journalists.

Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed appeared in court on February 21, but their trial was adjourned until the March 5.

Abdullah Al Shamy, from Al Jazeera's Arabic channel, was detained more than six months ago without charge and has been on a hunger strike since January 23.

Al Jazeera's Kamahl Santamaria reports.