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

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

By: Lena Odgaard

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.

Why are journalists taking these risks?

Rasha Abdulla, Associate Professor and Chair of Journalism and Mass Communication at the American University in Cairo. Photo: Anna Lindh Forum
Rasha Abdulla, Associate Professor and Chair of Journalism and Mass Communication at the American University in Cairo. Photo: Anna Lindh Forum

They are defying the authorities. Not just journalists – also people on Twitter, bloggers, everybody. The regime doesn’t seem to understand that we’ve had a revolution. There’s no silencing the people anymore.

Still, the number of lawsuits is unprecedented. Only counting cases for insulting the president there have been 24 in 200 days while there were only 23 cases in the past 112 years before that.

Anyone can file a lawsuit. If I’ve said something on television anyone on the street can say he was offended and file a lawsuit against me. That’s how the presidency works. People say President Morsi hasn’t filed a lawsuit against anyone. That’s true – it’s not him but the people who work for him who do it.

How would you describe the state of the media after the revolution?

The media institutions themselves have not been revolutionised. The laws governing the media are still obsolete and the whole media is system under the control of the government. But some people working in the media are very vocal – more than they have ever been.

We are going through a period of chaos where we have to fight for media freedoms. Currently there is no political will to enforce serious changes towards ensuring Freedom of Expression of any kind, but eventually the regime has to change. Once that happens, we will need independent regulatory bodies for the media, laws for freedom of access to information, and training for journalists and media institutions.

As a media professional speaking out on these issues, how have you been affected?

The same as everyone else – we are all under threat. If you have a bit of a high profile they (the authorities, ed.) are less likely to do something, but then you have cases like (the Egyptian TV host and satirist, ed) Bassem Youssef, who is a celebrity. But that’s what I’m saying – we are just pushing the limits, knowing that there’s a price any of us could pay at any moment.