Producing News in Mubarak’s Egypt: An analysis of Egyptian newspaper production during the late Hosni Mubarak era

Abstract

This research explores news production in Egypt during the last half of 2008, relatively late in Hosni Mubarak’s presidency. The study focuses on Al-Ahram, Al-Masry Al-Yom, and Al-Wafd, three major Egyptian dailies representing the range of Egyptian media ownership categories: government-owned, independent (or non-affiliated) and opposition party-owned. The research included extended ethnography-inspired field observation and interviewing. Against the conceptual backdrops of the sociology of news and press systems scholarship, the project presents a model of the Egyptian newspaper system during one important period in the Mubarak era. Results suggest that Egyptian journalists at all three newspapers faced numerous obstacles to information gathering and were forbidden from crossing certain legal and cultural lines in their reporting. The president, security apparatuses and dominant Egyptian cultural beliefs were generally off limits to news organizations, and news content was filtered through mechanisms of control ensuring that content conformed to standards of political, legal and cultural acceptability.

Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya framing of the Israel–Palestine conflict during war and calm periods

“…A good deal of scholarly literature about Arab press environments has been produced, with most research noting that most Arab governments have historically used press laws, license laws, penal codes, political ideology, and brute intimidation to ensure content conforms to government interests (Elmasry, 2011(Elmasry, , 2012Mellor, 2005Mellor, , 2007Rugh, 2004;Sakr, 2001a). Government ownership continues to be the dominant ownership structure in most of the Arab region, but more independent and opposition news outlets have appeared over the past 10-15 years as media reforms have brought increased freedoms to some Arab countries (see Ayish, 2002;Cooper, 2008;Elmasry, 2012;Hafez, 2002;Mellor, 2005).…”

A Critical Discourse Analysis of Internal Intertextuality in American and Egyptian News Reporting on Egypt's January 25 and June 30 Protests

“…Besides, the state Supreme Council of Journalism imposes censorship on the state-owned and privately-owned newspapers since it has the authority to suspend or impound any newspaper at any time (Pasha, 2011;Rubin, 2015;Rugh, 2004).Al-Masry Al-Youm, first published during Mubarak's era, tried to provide reliable and objective news coverage as well as balanced information and a wide range of opinions; it did not reflect the view(s) of any political party (Arab West Report, 2008). In other words, Al-Masry Al-Youm's coverage was sometimes reliant on criticizing the government, being an independent (privatelyowned) newspaper (Arab West Report, 2008;Cooper, 2008;Elmasry, 2012;Pasha, 2011). Al-Masry Al-Youm also provided a coverage that was very critical of the MB and Morsi during his one-year rule, being then a representative of the liberal media as opposed to the regime's Islamist media (Elmasry& el-Nawawy, 2014).…”

“…Unlike the American newspaper, there were signs of neutrality in Al-Masry Al-Youm in the very first days of the January 25 protests stemming from the coverage of the privatelyowned newspaper. It is known for being an opposition newspaper despite its non-adoption of the views of particular parties, aiming at providing a balanced coverage and securing a space of criticism of the government unlike the state-owned newspapers (Arab West Report, 2008;Cooper, 2008;Elmasry, 2012;Pasha, 2011). Such signs were embodied in its sympathy for the killed protesters at the hands of the vicious police forces.…”

The Role of Regional Media in Shaping Political Awareness of Youth: Evidence from Egypt

“…Regional media are also perceived as a popular monitoring system that contributes to the expression of local problems and enables citizens to share in the decision‐making process with regard to addressing and solving such problems. Additionally, the regional media work to expand citizens' horizons, to promote new values and to develop social life, serving as a cultural ideal center in local society (Elmasry ).…”

“…The newspaper focuses on the news of political parties, local and international political issues, and current events topics as well as news on parliament and members. It also includes political dialogue with a number of political and academic figures (Elmasry ). However, according to Al‐Canal 's editor‐in‐chief, it plays a limited role in developing political awareness among youth.…”