Egypt’s media revolution | Salah Abdel Maqsoud

From day one TV and print journalists were at the heart of the protests, defying the lies of Mubarak’s loyal state media The revolution that swept Egypt happened at such a rapid pace, it was difficult to keep up with. While the focal point was the huge crowd in Tahrir Square in Cairo, small revolutions were taking place in virtually every section of society. The business and financial district was rebelling, as were the medics and health carers, factory workers, teachers and lecturers and students. However, arguably one of the most significant was the revolution that was taking place, and continues today, throughout the media industry. From day one of the revolution, the official broadcaster and press went on the offensive, describing the uprising in the most unsavoury language, talking about the youth movement in abusive terms and accusing it of being influenced by Iran, the US or Israel. Up until Mubarak’s final hours state TV, radio and press doggedly defended him, warning of the “horrific consequences” that would befall Egypt if protesters got their way. However, also from day one, a steady stream of media professionals – presenters, producers, writers, columnists, commentators and technicians – walked out of their jobs in protest and joined the revolution. One famous presenter, a household name in Egypt, said that she left the studio just before she was due on air, having been presented with a bulletin stating that the protesters amounted to less than 5,000 troublemakers who were on a looting and killing spree. She said she couldn’t bring herself to read that lie on air. Mass walkouts were reported in numerous newspaper offices, news agencies and TV and radio stations, with workers demanding the arrest of editors and other senior personnel for their role in “tarnishing the people’s revolution”. For decades conscientious media workers had suffered in silence as failed and corrupt government policies were promoted across the airwaves and in print. For years many media workers had called for the freedom of the press, for political reform, for free and fair elections, for social justice, for the bringing to justice of corrupt businessmen and politicians, for the ending of courts martial for civilians, and for an end to Egypt’s role in the inhumane siege of Gaza. Therefore, when the revolution erupted journalists were among the first on the street and among those who gave blood for the cause. Notably, Ahmed Mahmoud, a journalist for Al-Ahram who was shot in the head three times while filming the police beating up young men. At his funeral, those attending mounted a protest demanding the resignation of the head of the journalist’s union Makram Mohammed Ahmed . Ahmed had infamously defended the Mubarak regime, stating that Mubarak was no Ben Ali (the former Tunisian dictator), that the regime was solid, and that the revolution was led by a bunch of Muslim Brotherhood thugs. He was prevented by members of the union of speaking at the funeral. As I write these words, numerous demonstrations by media workers continue outside their respective establishments, demanding the resignation of corrupt editors who sided with the former dictator who appointed them in the first place. This revolution was a bloodless coup by the people of Egypt against a corrupt regime that had succeeded in spreading its tentacles wide and deep throughout Egyptian society. Yet it took no more than 18 days for the Egyptian people to come together, transcend their differences and uproot the past. That will remain the badge of honour on Egypt’s breast. Egypt Middle East Protest Hosni Mubarak Salah Abdel Maqsoud guardian.co.uk

Posted by on February 15, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry