One year on, Egypt media faces same challenges
Media continues to face threats in Egypt.
CAIRO: The so-called “New Egypt” does not look all that different from the “Old Egypt” of former President Hosni Mubarak. In fact, a crackdown on media and freedom of speech continues, in what appears to be an unabated attack on free speech by the Egyptian military.
Adding to this crackdown is the self-censorship that persists within the independent media. Late last year, top independent newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm barred the publication of their sister outlet, Egypt Independent, over an article critical of the military council. It’s been one year since an uprising ousted Mubarak, but the reality on the ground reveals the media in Egypt has been unable to turn the corner.
In February, when commentators began to voice concerns over the role of the armed forces, activists, media and pundits lashed out against those critical, arguing the military should be “respected and supported” in their effort to build change and democracy in the country.
Today, the media continues to face similar hardships that many erroneously believed would be lifted in the atmosphere of freedom and democracy.
Egyptian media remains scared and appears unready to have an in-depth examination into its own institutions and practices. Editors and publishers speak of freedom and a new way forward, but we have seen little to evidence any substantial change.
“What is happening is a great amount of lip service to the future freedoms that Egypt will enjoy,” an American correspondent based in Cairo told the Centre. “But the reality is that all the talk and excitement has not translated into any tangible changes. Editors and investors are still pushing news that they think will sell and bring in funding, instead of taking a hard look at their role in a post-revolution Egypt.”
The reality is Egypt’s revolution is far from complete. Removing Mubarak was just one of the steps on the path toward true freedom and democracy. The media can play a major role in this process, and take action when their writing is attacked.
The beginning of the end for media freedom in Egypt began to take shape in late May. Hossam al-Hamalawy, a leading blogger and social activist, was at the center of the early stages of the media controversy and sparked local and international worries over the course of military action against freedom of expression.
He was questioned by the head of the military justice authority Adel Morsi, and said after the meeting that the army had requested he provide all documents in his possession pertaining to violations Hamalawy said on the television programme “Baladna mil Masry.”
The host of that show, Reem Maged, and another journalist who appeared on the programme separately Nabil Sharifeddine, were also interrogated in order to “clarify” statements made on air.
This led to uncertainty and worries that media was falling victim to military oppression.
Then, in October, following the murder of 27 citizens by the armed forces, it hit a head. This time it was the state television that sparked outrage. They issued statements saying the Coptic Christians were using “children as human shields,” that the protesters had “attacked the armed forces.” This was the first blatant propaganda and in essence, it called for citizens to take up arms against Christian protesters. And they did.
Over the next few months, leading up to January 25, 2012, the state-run media was responsible for delivering the lies and misinformation from the military junta, alluding to a “foreign” influence in the protests that occurred in November and December.
All this has led to a state of fear and anxiety among journalists in the country. Reporters have often told me that they are feeling the pinch in much the same way they did during the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak.
“This all feels a bit too similar to what happened before the revolution,” said one reporter. “We now have to be very careful of what we are writing about if it is on the military or anything they say or do.”
Foreign and local journalists are being detained, the Western media continues to report SCAF statements as fact without little care for investigation. Locally, as media workers do their jobs, the editorial nature of the press foments a double-edged sword that creates a situation where we are unable to deliver the news in an unbiased fashion that caters to the idea of truth.
Ostensibly, the military has used their full force to silence critics. The self-censorship of supposedly independent outlets should end, but the fear of arrest, much like during Mubarak’s era is present and real.
In the one year since the uprising began, Egypt’s media remains much as it was then, wondering where they are headed.
BM
Section: Egypt, Latest News, Media
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