Rally supports journalist Peter Greste

Friends and colleagues are rallying in Melbourne to support Australian journalist Peter Greste, who remains in jail in Egypt.

Greste and two Al Jazeera English news colleagues have been sentenced to between seven and 10 years for allegedly defaming Egypt and aiding the now blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood.

Supporters will gather in Federation Square from 12.30pm to back calls for the trio's immediate release.

They hope an image of the three journalists projected on a big screen will be tweeted around the world in protest at what they say is an outrageous assault on press freedom.

Statements of support from Melbourne Press Club president Michael Rowland and the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance will be recorded and posted on social media.