Egypt: “There is no media freedom – only journalists defying the regime”

May 10, 2013 | International Media Support (IMS)

Two years after the revolution in Egypt, the country’s media is yet to be revolutionised, says Rasha Abdulla, Associate Professor and Chair of Journalism and Mass Communication at the American University in Cairo

While the current political instability gives room for people to speak out, it should not be mistaken for free speech, Abdulla told IMS at the Anna Lindh Foundation’s Mediterranean Forum in Marseille.

What is the current level of press freedom in Egypt?

“There is no freedom whatsoever. Journalists write what they want and criticize the president, but not because laws guarantee their freedom but because they are defying the authorities who tell them not to. Freedom is to know you are protected by the constitution. But if you say something the president won’t like and two hours later have a lawsuit hanging over your head, that’s not freedom. It’s a high risk people take every day.

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Press freedom under pressure in Egypt

Dec. 6, 2012 | International Media Support (IMS)

Newspapers and television stations opposing the new draft constitution made by Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi are falling silent 4 – 5 December in protest over what they see as further restrictions on press freedom. Journalist Lena Odgaard talks to two independent journalists in Egypt about their post-revolution hopes for more press freedom in Egypt

Incidents of suspension of TV stations, arrests and assaults on journalists and confiscation of newspapers have taken place in Egypt in the last few months of 2012.

“The level of press freedom is deteriorating – there are attacks on journalists on a daily basis,” says Ahmed Esmat, 30, journalist and co-founder of two new Alexandria-based media outlets, Alex Agenda Magazine and the newspaper ‘Amwague’.

In August, Minister of Information and member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Salah Abdel-Maqsoud, suspended the TV-channel, ‘Fareen’, and confiscated the August 11-edition of the al-Dustour newspaper due to accusations of incitement and insulting the President. Both outlets are known for being notoriously critical of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of the military. Fareen’s controversial TV host, Tawfiq Okasha and editor-in-chief of al-Dustour, Islam Afifi, are to be tried at the Cairo Criminal Court for incitement.

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