Looks like the Independent is heading for a costly and damaging liable case about to be launched by two, and possible three Egyptian publishers and media companies, unless the Inde prints a humiliating apology and retraction, although the injured party, being a publisher and media savvy himself, tells me he is adamant the apology printed to the same space of the offending piece.
Author Archives: Adel
UK Media Reporting Watch: Egypt unbalanced & whiff of racism?
I try to monitor UK media reporting on Egypt ( since we have contacts and correspondents there and can check facts on the ground with near 100% accuracy) to see whether correspondents , analysts or columnists stick to the traditional fleet street criteria ( ie PPC Press Complaints Council Editors Code of Practice ) ; the Of-Com Broadcasting code ;& the BBC Editorial Guidelines ; the NUJ ( national Union of Journalists) Code of Conduct and last but not least the obvious commonsense practice of sticking to facts, sourcing information, abiding by laws, and making a clear distinction ( easily noticeable and understood by readers/viewers/listeners) between hard facts, and opinion, analysis or guess. In the light of such criterion I will try to highlight shortcomings or errors by British media. I hope fellow hacks and hackettes are not offended but try to see it as an extension or further explanation to what might have been overlooked in the rush to meet deadlines.
Cairo report: Police intercepts illegal Child Transport
Gulf News Cairo journalist, Linda S Heard reports on Muslim Brotherhood exploitation of orphanage children to bus to the pro #Morsi sit-in under false pretence.
Cairo Today (Qahera el Youm) have just reported a shocking police intervention that goes to confirm something we already knew. A bus was stopped en route to Rabaa Adawiya as part of a routine check. In the bus were dozens of orphans, street children and children of poor families under the supervision of an MB cleric. They were scruffily dressed but were clutching bags containing smart new clothes. They told the police that the ‘sheikh’ had given them the clothes plus LE 20 and promised them good food. They said their didn’t know where they were going. In a few cases, their parents had been given substantial sums to release their kids in the temporary care of the cleric. The program showed photos and videos of those poor kids scheduled to be used as human shields and to boost the MB’s PR campaign. This really is too much. I had heard about it but now I’ve seen it with my own eyes.
One month into Egypt Summer of Discontent in
It was exactly a month ago that Egyptian Military put its three day old ultimatum ( to all political forces in the country to form a national unity government, or the army would enforce a road map out of the crisis). The result was the ousting of President Mohammed Morsi, and following steps clearly defined in the constitution for such eventuality. This account I wrote three weeks ago for the New African Magazine, now it has been printed. I can put it on this blog.
Four weeks after masses of Egyptians –between 18m to 35 Million ( de-pneds whether you take police or protesters figures) at least three fold the numbers who overthrew President Honsi Mubark regime in February 2011, took to the streets all over the country in “ June 30 Revolution” a tale of two Egypts still unfolding and edging toward serious, and possibly nasty clash.
A British Writer’s Response to the Lesser Informed suggesting ‘Inclusive Solution’ for Egypt
Linda Heard is an Alexandria based British author, columnist, and biographer, she has also been a commentator and journalist, who lived in Egypt for many years, and Alexandria is her home. Mrs Heard has much better understanding of Egypt and the situation far better than her own president and congressmen. She is fed-up of people presenting ideas and solutions to Egypt current ‘ crisis’ from a total ignorance stand. One particular column was the last straw for her. I hope she accepts my apology as I mistakenly thought she was American, I hope I didn’t cause any offence. Here is the story with those suggesting inclusive solution with Muslim Brothers as they stand with their current ideology..
After Meeting Morsi, Ashton : Up to Egyptians, we carry no ideas
EU envoy Ashton meets Morsi, but didn’t refer to him by any titles like president, while emphasizing that Europeans have no plans or ideas to impose and it was up to the Egyptians to sort out their differences, while sources close to meeting said she advised Morsi to “accept new reality on the ground,” after the young people she met demanded that EU must recognise June 30 Revolution . Cairo politicians call British government ” Obama messenger boys,” as they give high profile to EU in defiance of America.
Today Daily Telegraph Leader Contains Factual Errors & its Message is Meaningless
The Daily Telegraph is normally better informed about the Middle East and Africa than other Fleet street papers, especially the leftwing ones like the Independent or Guardian who’s ideology blind them to basic facts on the ground. What is shocking about today ( Monday 29 July) Telegraph leader on Egypt it got it wrong, misleading, message is meaningless and worst of all contains factual errors and inaccurate facts.
Egyptian People Rallied Supporting Army Sent Message to Outside World : Don’t Intervene
When general Abd-el-Fatah el-Sisi, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for National Security and Secretary of Defence called upon Egyptian people to to rally under banner ” No to Terrorism” and to give a popular mandate to ” state institutions” to combat terrorism, many questioned his motives since he did not need such mandate nor do state institutions. It is the duty of the army, police and other security agencies to do just exactly that , not as a favor or by popular mandate. It was the job they are paid to do and have been trained for.
Media Morsi Case Reporting: Through Western Supremacist Lenses ?
The news of Egyptian Public Prosecutor office issuing warrant ( through judicial court order to make it 15 days since PPO can only legally detain suspects for 4 days then release if not charged ) for arresting the deposed president Mohammed Morsi is confusing and complicated to explain since most of evidence remain incomplete. It is rather unfortunate that non of the media reports, here in UK reports is complete, makes sense – from a legal view point- or details fro ordinary readers, viewers or listeners to understand what appeared or reported as politically motivated move.
Egyptian Playwright Ali Salem to British & Western Commentators: Gentlemen .. Rejoice with us
Celebrated Egyptian Playwright and commentator, peace activists and democrat Ali Salem calls upon western commentators arguing whether what happened in Egypt was coup to understand realities on the ground. Here is a translation of his column.
Gentlemen, thinkers and politicians of Western civilization, we have learned the thought of how to be practical from you, and it seems, the time has come to re-remind you . The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Rationally speaking, to prove how sound an idea is, or how correct is a theory, isn’t the components or philosophical structure of the wording of the theory, but the practical results, or the practical outcome of the theory/the idea. In theory, the questions raised and the argument about the rational of the idea. might be necessary or even logical in the forums of academe, but it seems, that such questions and arguments are designed to escape from reality due to an intellectual deficit in facing the facts and dealing with them as presented by real situation ion the ground.