“Vote yes” campaign in Egypt for a revised constitution dominates media coverage

Egyptians are voting this week in a referendum on a fresh constitution prior to the planned Presidential elections in spring 2014. But the government’s “Vote Yes” campaign is being reported as having overwhelmingly won the battle for media coverage, according to the independent online media Mada Masr, while the voices of those arguing against the constitution are notably lacking

The first referendum in Egypt after the removal of President Morsi is taking place this week, 14 – 15 January, on a revised version of the constitution which was originally drafted by President Morsi and his party the Muslim Brotherhood which was banned by the interim Egyptian government on 25 December 2013.

The new constitution is seen by many as a determining step towards stability and a step closer to the presidential and parliamentary elections in spring. The revised constitution includes a more precise description of civil rights and although civilians can still be tried in a military court of law, the conditions for doing so have been tightened. The referendum is also viewed by many as the interim government’s and army’s opportunity to secure yet higher legitimacy in the eye of the public.

However, according to the Guardian, there are concerns amongst human rights activists that voices against the constitution are not being heard and that the text includes clauses that curb workers’ rights, and limit religious freedoms to members of the three Abrahamic religions while ultimately cementing the power of the army.

“Vote Yes” campaign in media

According to the independent Mada Masr, Egyptian streets are filled with thousands of yes posters with very little space given to the no campaign either on billboards or in the media. After the closure of all Islamist and Muslim-brotherhood affiliated media outlets immediately after Morsi’s removal, the private media sources that remain are mostly owned by individuals who endorse the “yes” vote. Some outlets, such as the privately owned Al-Masry Al-Youm (AMAY) newspaper, have publicly endorsed the “yes” position. Some of the most popular television hosts, such as Amr Adib, also use their platforms to openly call on viewers to vote in favor of the constitution.

Preliminary results are expected to be called in the course of January.