ASAH - Media Monitor - 3rd Edition - English

8/13/2019 ASAH - Media Monitor - 3rd Edition - English

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Media Monitor Egypt - 03Bi-monthly report on the media situation

(mid September - mid November 2012)

Al Sawt Al Hurr

Arab Network for Media Support

www.asahnetwork.org


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Media Monitor 03(September 18 - November 18, 2012)

Preface

al Sawt al Hurr, the Arab network for media support, based in Cairo, Egypt, introduces a

series of six bi-monthly Media Monitors.

These reports will cover developments in the Egyptian media, e.g. new satellite channels and

programs, newspapers, news websites, etc. over a year long period, providing researchers,

academics and whoever else is interested in the eld of media, with information updates on

developments in the Egyptian media scene.

The present Media Monitor is the third of its kind and covers the months of mid September to

mid November 2012. Each Monitor will consists of the following two parts.

Part 1 General Developments

In the rst part, general developments will be described to readers with

an interest in and some minimal knowledge of the Egyptian media landscape.

Part 2 Research Findings

In the second part, one or more subjects of general or developmental prominence

will be examined in-depth by our research team.

For this copy research was conducted on

Cooperation between national newspapers and their local correspondents

Research team

Eman Kheir Media developments

El-Sayed Othman Ahmed al Gendy Research work

Yasr abdelAziz Research Coordinator

Petrus Schothorst English Editor

Reactions, suggestions, etc. can be sent to

[email protected]


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Part IGeneral developments in the media in Egypt


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1. Developments in the media sector in general

- The re-emerging role of the SupremeCouncil for the Press is a development that

dominated media attention during the whole period and especially its decision to select

and appoint new managers for the state owned media. The media strongly protested and

complained that the new government is attempting to bring the media under control of

the Muslim Brothers and to Ikhwanize the state.

- These state owned media institutions also experienced a huge nancial crisis and

accumulated debts made it no longer possible to pay the salaries of journalists and other

staff, which lead to demonstrations, strikes and other forms of action, that were all widely

covered in the media.

-The media also extensively covered the hefty debates that accompanied the drafting of

many articles of the new constitution, which was published at the end of this period.

Some of the articles are seen as curtailing the freedom of expression; Human Rights

Watch in a letter addressed to the members of the Constituent Constitutional Committee

wrote that these articles are not in agreement with international conventions signed

by Egypt and will bring the country back to the situation of before the 25thof January

Revolution.

- The media also reported on its confrontation with the Muslim Brotherhood because

of what it called attempts by the Muslim Brotherhood to intimidate the press and to

defame image and reputation of media and media professionals in the country. Most

media criticized the decision of the Shura Council to remove Gamal Abdel-Reheim, the

editor in chief of al Jumhuriya newspaper, appointed on behalf on the same institution

only one month earlier, because the newspaper published an article that it considered as

disseminating false news about Field Marshal, Hussein Tantawy, and Lieutenant General

Samy Annan. This decision was widely reported as an interference of the Council in the

affairs the of state owned media and a violation of the freedom of the press.

2. Newspapers

The eight state-owned press institutions in Egypt were the focus of attention becauseof the state appointment editors in chief, but also because much information was

published about administrative and nancial problems.

Party afliated newspapers also landed in a nancial crisis.

During the period covered by this report, one new newspaper was published.

- al Sabah daily with Wael al Ibrashy as its editor in chief

According to information released by a Shura Council committee, Egyptian media produce

some 552 publications; of which 46 magazines and 9 newspapers released by state-owned

press institutions. The same source also stated that some 60 % of all publications are returned

unread. These institutions are hugely overstaffed, with a total staff exceeding 24.000 workers;4029 of which are journalists. The biggest media house, al Ahram, employs some 14.000


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workers, about 4000 of which as journalists, with a total annual salary bill estimated at

appr. 700 million pounds. (Some LE 980 million a year for the state-owned media sectoras a whole.) Faced with this burden, accumulated debts and declining revenues from

advertisements a number of new editors-in-chief have made an urgent appeal for government

support.

In addition, 62 publications appear per year, afliated to political parties in the country.

Journalists working for severalof theparty newspapers, who have not been paid their salaries

for long periods, started a protest action at the premises of the Press Syndicate, requesting

compensation of unpaid salaries.

Problems and protests

-A number of the journalists and representatives of state-owned and private newspapers

journalists in Kafr el Sheikh governorate established an Association for the defense of

the rights of journalists. In Beheira, anumber of correspondents of newspapers and websitesin the governorate established the rst coalition of young journalists in the governorate, aimed at

defending their rights and the promotion of social and health care.

- Minister of Information, Salah Abdel-Maqsood, denied news reports that the Radio and

TV magazine will be closed down. Journalists of the magazine accused the Minister

of a planned closure following the decision to cut the topping up of basic salaries.

Magazine staff organized a protest sit-in against the ministerial decision at the ofce of

the magazine in September.

- The Financial and Administrative Committee of the Supreme Press Council decided in

October to pay seven million pounds in salaries for workers of state-owned newspapers.

Mohammed Gamal, chairman of the Governing Board of Rose al Youssef, called for

a meeting of the same Committee to discuss the nancial crisis of state-owned press

institutions in general and his institution in particular.

- Following the appointment of new editors in chief for state-owned media, Engineer Fathy

Shehab El-Deen, president of the Culture and Media Committeeof the Shura Council

and head of the selection committee for editors-in-chief, announced that 80% of the

chairmen of the governing boards of state-owned newspapers will now also be replaced.

Freedom of Expression

- Abla El-Rowainy, writer at state-owned newspaper al Akhbar, announced that her new

editor in chief, appointed by the Shura Council upheld the publication of her article titled

the naked king because of its criticism of the Muslim Brotherhood. This article was

republished in many websites.

- The president of the Governing Board of state owned Dar al Tahrirprinting and

publishing house denied the accusations of Mostafa Bakry, editor in chief of al Osbou

newspaper that he ordered to stop printing of the newspaper because of the contents of

an interview with eld marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawy. Dar al Tahrir denied the

charge and blamed technical reasons for the stop.


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3. Multimedia trends

An increasing number of state- and privately owned newspapers established electronic

portals and websites. More than nine newspapers now provide multimedia services for

their readers.

- Alexa(www.alexa.com) follows trends with news websites connected to newspapers.

- The following websites are ranked as most visited : al Youm7, al Ahram, al Masri al

Youm, al Watan and al Wafd.

- al Watannewspaper updated its website design and now provides interactive news

services to its readers.

- al Ahram Hebdo weekly, published in French by al Ahrammedia house, started

an interactive news website, where readers can post their comments on topics in the

newspaper.

- The new al Sabahdaily also opened a website.

4. A growing interest in Readers, Viewers & Users

- The Freedom and Justicedaily newspaper introduced an interactive texting service for

its readers order to make the ofcials hear the voice of readers.

- al Masri al Youmnewspaper opened a hotline for communication with its readers on

services and to welcome news and reactions.

5. Independent News WebsitesAccording to a report of the Ministry of Communication, internet users in Egypt went

up from 6 million just before the revolution to 27,7 million at present. The popularity

of news websites is following this development.

- Among the 30 most visited websites in Egypt (www.alexa.com) there are ve independent

news websites, including www.masrawi.net; www.akhbar.net; and www.maktoob.net.

- Businessman Mohammed al Sabaan bought a majority share in al Badeelnews

website, making continuation of its left leaning orientation and its professional reputation

uncertain; the same for plans to return as a newspaper. The new Governing Board

removed the editor in chief of the website, Khaled al Balshy, who promptly opened a new

news website al Badaeiand took many editors with him.


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6. Egyptian Radio and Television Union

The state owned ERTU was established in 1970 and added regional broadcasting to its

services in the 1980s and Nile TV in the 1990s.

- The Unions operations are organized in sectors and networks, including the national

wide Egyptian TV Channels Network, al Mahrousa TV Network, The Egyptian News

Center, the Radio Sector, and other administrative sectors. ERTU employs about 43,000

staff with a monthly salary charge of LE 225 million.

- A committee of media experts started an evaluation of all life program broadcasts on

Egyptian national TV, following repeated problems and complaints of sub-standard

performance, according to Magdy Lashein, President of the First Egyptian Channel.

- The News Sector of ERTU launched a new project to improve the quality of its

information supply on current events in the country in order to raise quality and

condence, especially of its political talk shows.

- The Minister of Information announced a cooperation protocol that will be concluded

between Egyptian TV and the BBC for training of workers in different channels and

stations of ERTU during the coming period.

- For the rst time on Egyptian TV, a female news anchor was wearing a veil, previously

prohibited for TV anchors.

- Minister of Information, Salah Abdel-Maqsood, pressed charges against the team of the

morning program Naharak Saeed,aired on Nile Live, because the anchor did not

prevented a guest on the show from insulting the president and the army. The Minister

did not see his action as interference of a breach of freedom of expression, but rather as a

reaction to the anchors unprofessional behavior.

7. Commercial Satellite TV

Some 700 commercial satellite channels are transmitted via the Egyptian

owned NileSat. Commercial satellite broadcasting for the Egyptian marketwas introduced around 2000 under a strict regime of licensing. Since 2011

the sector is experiencing a huge expansion.

- The administration of al HayatTV announced that it will launch al Hayat IIIin a

package including al Hayat al Aannews channel and al Hayat Sports.

- The MBC Group launched a news channel, MBC Egypt. The Group also seeks to

exchange experience with ERTU in the area of production.

- The University of South Valley launched its rst satellite channel, called Shams al

Wadi.Experimentaltransmission by students of the media department started fromstudio Shorakaaand are done in cooperation with Internews.


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- China International Radio started its operations In Egypt in order to introduce Arab

countries to Chinese culture and foster friendship between Chinese and Arab peoples.

- The Minister of Information met Dr. Waleed Arab Hashem vice-president of Saudi owned

Rotana Group to discuss possible investment of the Group in the Egyptian media sector.

He also met with Mr. Brian Konf, president of American nanced al Hurra Channels

Group (Iraq) and Sawa Radio (Gulf) in order to study means of cooperation with the

ERTU in the elds of news exchange and training.

- A nancial crisis in the 25news channel prevented it from continuing; a source at the

channel stated that it ran at a loss during the previous one and half years.

- The administration of CBC channels decided to cut the wages of a number of workers

reaching 40%, including a number of measures taken by the Group concerningrationalization of expenses

- al Naharwon an award for the best commercial satellite channel according to a poll done

by Akhbar al Youmnewspaper and a second one by a poll done by al Masri al Youm.

- The Consumer Protection Agency referred ten satellite channels and ten TV marketing

companies to the pubic prosecution on accusations of disseminating misleading

advertisements.

- al Masri al Youmnewspaper wrote that president Mohamed Morsi is considering to sell

his share in Egypt 25channel, established by the Muslim Brotherhood right after the

revolution, to one of the MB leaders.

- The Court of Administrative Adjudication ruled that the transmission of al-Faraeen

Channel, owned by Tawfeeq Okasha, should be resumed, pending the outcome of

his lawsuit against the Minister of Information, the Minister of Investment, and the

president of the Media Free Zone, responsible for issuing licenses on commercial satellite

broadcasting.

- A selection of well known satellite media gures were charged with humiliation of

the judiciary and investigation started. The celebrities include the editor-in-chief of the

program 90 Minutes(al MehwarChannel); Albert Shaq (President of ON TV;

Reem Maged, anchor at ON TV; Lobna Assal and Sere Amer, the anchors of al Hayatal Youm (al HayatChannel); Wael al Ibrashy, anchor at ; and Tv personalities Lamees

Al-Hadidi and Hala Sarhan. All of them were released on guarantee of their IDs; only

Wael Al-Ibrashi had to pay a bail of 1000 Egyptian pounds.,

- Mohammed Tosson, President of the Legislative Committee of the Shura Council and

President of the Freedoms Committee of the Press Syndicate, and Abdel-Moneim

Abdel-Maqsood, Lawyer of the Muslim Brotherhood, led a case against some channels

transmitting on YouTube, like alMoshagheboon[Troublemakers] and al Arab al

Magholoon[Unknown Arabs], accusing them of incitement to disturbance and false

accusations against the Muslim Brotherhood.


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- The Public Prosecutor, Abdel-Megeid Mahoud referred Dr. Essam El-Erian, Vice-

President of Freedom and Justice Party, to the Criminal Court in the case led againsthim by Gehan Mansour, media personality and anchor at Dream TVfor insulting her

and accusing her on air of accepting bribes. Essam El-Erian from his side led a lawsuit

against her accusing her of insulting him on her website and demanding a compensation

of 10,000 pounds.

8. Freedom of Expression

The period of the study witnessed increased unrest and anxiety among human rights

activists, journalists, and media persons because of the shrinking space of freedom ofexpression and opinion in the new constitution when its rst draft version came to light.

Although the current Constitutional Proclamation guarantees the rights and freedoms of

journalists and media professionals to do their work without harassment or constraints, as

did the latest Constitution of 1971, a number of journalists have been arrested in the last few

months.

The Constitutional Proclamation guarantees Freedom of expression as follows

Article 12

Freedom of opinion is guaranteed, and every person has the right to express hisopinion and publish it spoken, written, photographed, or in any other form of

expression within the law. Self-criticism and constructive criticism are a guarantee for

the integrity of the national structure.

Article 13.

Freedom of the press, printing, publication and other media shall be guaranteed, and

censorship on them is forbidden. As a matter of exception, limited censorship may be

imposed on them when war is declared.

The freedom to issue all types of newspapers, and to own them by natural and legal

persons, is guaranteed by notication. The law regulates the establishment of radio andTV transmission stations and digital media in a way that dont restrict their freedom

and independence.

At present journalists enjoy protection under Egyptian Law:

Article 12 of Law no. 96 for 1996 concerning organization of the Press.

Anyone who insults or assaults a journalist because of his work is to be punished

pursuant to articles 133, 136 and 137/1 of the Penal Code which are enacted for

insulting or assaulting public employees, as appropriate.

This article makes anyone who assaults a journalist at work punishable by imprisonment or

ne. However, these laws are not enforced


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Protection of Journalists according to International Agreements:

The 29thsession of the General Conference of UNESCO held in Paris in November

1997 adopted a decision that afrmed the right to life, freedom, personal health and

safety, as well as freedom of expression which is a basic human right in light of the

violations incurred by journalists. UNESCO member states called for adoption of

the principle that crimes of prevention of freedom of media and expression dont

lapse with time, as well as condemnation of the physical violence and assassination

happening for journalists.

9. Infringements on the Freedom of Expression

During the years prior to the revolution, freedom guarantees were increasingly

violated by the security apparatus which regularly arrested several journalists and

media workers. This practice did not stop, as could be seen during the 4thof May

2012 incidents near the Ministry of Defense, now called the Abbaseya riots.

-The NGO, Free Media Observatory called on the Press Syndicate and its Freedom

Committee to immediately intervene to protect the rights of journalists while performing

their work, and to protect their life and personal safety following the attack on the

journalist and photographer of al Badeelwebsite by Sheikh Abo-Islam who is charged

with tearing a copy of the New Testament.Abo Islam and his sons have beaten the

journalist and the photographer, and attempted to steal their personal belongings while hewas conducting an interview with the sheikh.

- Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood attacked the crew of the program 10 pmand

prevented them from reporting on the public speech of President Mohamed Morsi in

Alexandria and forcing them to leave the place because of what they believe to be an

attack of the programs presenter, Wael al Ibrashi, on President Mohamed Morsi.

The Free Egyptians Party assigned the Partys lawyer to defend the editor-in-chief of

al Jumhureya, Gamal Abdel-Raheim, following his removal by the Shura Council.

The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expressionissued a report on contempt of

religion and freedom of expression in Egypt in which it documents a number of contempt of

religion cases which have been raised lately and which it sees as a signal of a new attack on

the freedom of expression. The report also tries to expose legal complications in the Egyptian

penal code which enable the increase of contempt of religion cases, as well as the position of

international law regarding such cases.

Assignment of a judge to investigate 1064 cases brought to him by lower courts against

newspapers and satellite channels.


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10. Access to Information

In the absence of a law guaranteeing the right of Access to information several

civil society organizations took the initiative and presented a draft law to

parliament last May, only a short time before it was dissolved.

- A group of civil society organizations, media professionals and academics have

submitted a bill to demand increased freedom of information from the government,

according to press release of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.

The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression, American University in Cairo

history professor Khaled Fahmy and Egypt Independent Editor-in-Chief Lina Attalah were

among those who helped draft the bill, which was submitted on 27 February, the statement said.The draft law proposes the establishment of a Supreme Council of Information, whose

members would be appointed by the prime minister, to be responsible for disclosing

information about private and government bodies.

- The draft constitution includes the following article on Access to Information

Article 41

The freedom of obtaining information, data, statistics and documents, regardless of

its source and place, is a guaranteed right for citizens. The State has the obligation

to enable them of exercising this right without obstacles and disclosing information,

without contradiction with the national security or violation of the sanctity of privatelives.

11. State and government institutions dealing with the media

During the period of this report, parliament was still partially dissolved, with only

the Shura Council functioning, which gave itself an important role in dealing with

the media.

Government- Egypt has gained experience with a Ministry of Information since 1952, when the

Ministry of National Guidance was created. Name and role evolved, but the institution

itself was constant and continued to this day and 22 different ministers held the post. The

rst post revolutionary government did not have one, but the second one re-introduced

it again and formulated its role as designing the government policy and plan on (inter-)

national media, providing international public opinion with data and information about

Egypt, providing help to journalists, writers and correspondents, and supervising the

composition and editing of specialized media reports about political, economic and social

topics of concern to high state apparatuses.


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- Minister of Information, Salah Abdel-Maqsood, conrmed that a committee for

developing the Egyptian media will be formed and a second one for monitoring theperformance of the media; an ethical standard and a professional code of conduct for the

media will be issued soon to regulate media performance.

- The Ministry further announced that the Egyptian Satellite Company (NileSat) is about to

be ready to launch the new satellite (NileSat 202) to replace (NileSat 102) whose life is

supposed to end at 2015.

- The Minister met with Sheikh Mohammed ben Rashed Al Maktoom - Vice-President

of the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister and Dubai Governor and President of the

National Council for Media to discuss media cooperation between the two states. The

minister was invited to another visit to discuss the matter further. With the ambassador

of the republic of Turkey in Cairo, the minister discussed possible cooperation regarding

exchange of radio and television news and programs.

- Egypt will host the 32nd conference of the Union of Arab Countries Radios from the

5thto the 13thof December. Egypt had refused to host the conference earlier because of

the security situation. The Ministry of Information welcomed the training of Iraqi media

workers at its Radio and TV Institute, as well as exchanging visits between Egyptian and

Iraqi members of the media.

- The Minister of Information, Salah Abdel-Maqsood, received chairmen and

representatives of Egyptian political parties in order to discuss the role of

Egyptian media and its possible transition from state to public media.

- The Minister of Justice, Ahmed Mekki, announced his intention to meet with prominent

media persons to discuss the draft law regulating audio-visual transmission in Egypt.

The Supreme Press Council

- President Mohamed Morsi issued a presidential decree to re-form the Supreme Press

Council and an Executive Ofce was formed, with Mohamed Negm, managing editor

of October magazineas its Secretary General and Qotb Al-Arabi, journalists of al

Watan newspaper as assistant. Deputies will be Mohammed Hassan Al-Banna, editor in

chief of al Akhbarnewspaper and Mamdouh al Wali, chairman of the board of the Press

Syndicate and chairman of the Governing Board of al Ahram

- The Supreme Press Council regulates and supervises print, digital, and other media

and together with the National Council for Audio-Visual Media, which regulates and

supervises the affairs of audio-visual transmission, the councils will work together on

guaranteeing freedom of different sorts of media, developing, and diversifying them;

preventing its concentration and monopolization; protecting public interests.

- The Supreme Press Council endorsed the recommendation of its Financial and

Administrative Committee to help solve the nancial crisis of state-owned press

institutions with a donation of seven million Egyptian pounds. Hesham Younes, member

of the Board of the Press Syndicate, conrmed that the SPC will provide nancialsupport to the institutions which cant pay the salaries of their workers.


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- The Council will also pay one million pounds to the Press Syndicate, so it can solve the

problems of journalists in some of the insolvent party afliated newspapers, currently onstrike at the syndicate. The Council decided to re-issue the al Shaabparty newspaper

and pay workers salaries for the coming year.

The Shura Council of Parliament and the Constituent Assembly

- The Shura Council of parliament has abolished all previous decisions granting former

presidents of Governing Boards of state-owned newspapers and their editors in chief in-

kind benets and suspended nancial compensations they were given.

- Rights and Freedoms Committee of the constitutional committee voted against inclusion

of two articles that would have guaranteed the protection against arrest of journalists and/

or closure of media institutions for publishing information.

12. Journalism Syndicates

The Press Syndicate is increasingly confronted with the nancial problems of

many newspapers and its ofce became the venue of choice for demonstrations,

sit-inns and strikes of its members. EPS took an active role in trying to nd

solutions to some of the newspapers in dire straits.

- The Governing Board of the Press Syndicate accredited 302 new junior members for

registration, enabling them to participate in syndicate training activities.

- The Press Syndicate objects to the articles related to the press in the new draft

constitution and called on journalists to protests in front of the Shura Council.

- Journalists working for a group ofparty newspapers that are faced with enormous debts

and arrears in salary payments, agreed to the proposal of Mamdouh El-Waly, chairman

of the Press Syndicate, to resolve their problems by offering employment with a new

weekly newspaper, issued from the premises of the Press Syndicate, for which a two-

million EPT joint-stock company will be created. Negotiations are going on between

the National Distribution Company and the Supreme Press Council on who will pay the

salary bill. al-Ahrammedia will offer its printing facilities to the new weekly for a

whole year. All these steps were taken following a sit-in and hunger strike of journalists

at the premises of the Supreme Press Council.

- A conference on Self-regulation of the media in Egypt was held at the initiative of

UNESCO and the Press Syndicate. As one of its outcomes, a committee was formed

with prominent media experts, including Ragai Margani, Hussein Abdel-Ghany, lawyer

Negad Al-Boarie, publisher and presidential advisor Ayman Al-Sayad; engineer Abdel-

Moneim Al-Sawy.

- The Freedoms Committee of the Electronic Journalists Syndicate called for disciplining

the governor of Red Sea for refusing to provide information to all correspondents of

newspapers and websites who are not registered in the Journalists Syndicate, and forrefusing to deal with anyone but the members of the Press syndicate.


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- Members of the Administrative Board of the Media Union (under establishment)

met Minister of Information, Salah Abdel-Maqsood, in order to discuss means forestablishing the Union either by issuing a decree-law or waiting for the election of the

new Peoples Assembly so that the establishment is legal

- Talat Mansy, President of the General Union for Workers in Printing, Journalism and

Media, announced that the Union obtained approval of the Supreme Press Council

concerning the allocation of 1% of the revenues on advertisements for support of the

pension funds of workers and journalists.

13. Activities of Civil Society Organizations related to media development

Civil society organizations became particularly active during this period in

systematically collecting information on freedom of information issues and the

rst studies were published.

-The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studiesissued an analytical study of the

performance of Egyptian media during parliamentary elections 2011 covering the

performance of 20 information media throughout the months of elections.

- The Media Strategies and Policies Centerissued a document titled Future of

Egyptian Media Policies. It interviewed a large number of people interested in the

development of the media in Egypt including representatives of political parties,professional unions, members of the media, and members of the Constituent Assembly

to discuss the articles of the Constitution.

- The Association for Freedom of Thought and Expressionissued a report titled

Freedom of the Media in the Second Republic: Arrest Prevention Conscation

concerning violations of the right to freedom of expression, especially in the media.

Recommendations of the report focus on the need to reform current laws and enact

new ones in order to protect and foster freedom of thought and expression, which

necessarily requires a political will to make the government bear its responsibilities

regarding the protection of freedom of expression by refraining from committing any

violations, and protecting members of the media and people who express their opinionsfrom violations and censorship performed by other parties.

- The report of Egyptian Media Watch, prepared by the Freedom of the Media

Observatory of the New World for Development and Human Rights Foundation,

signaled a number of shortcomings that affect the media including the liberalization of

ofcial media from the grip of the state and changing the property pattern so that it does

not submit to government and the political regime following the revolution.

- The events of the project Local Press on the Road to Independence came to an end.

It was organized by the Rural Development Association in the village of al Batanoun in

the governorate of Manufeya with support from the USAID in training local journalists

in the governorates of West Delta (Manufeya, Gharbeya, Baheira, and Qaliobeya).


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- The International Union for Journalists and Members of the Media held the

International Conference no. 54, which is hosted by Egypt this year in order to send areassuring message that Egypt is safe and can retain its touristic role.


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Part II Research FindingsCooperation between national newspapers and their local

correspondents


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Introduction

A few months ago, one of the morning shows on satellite channel presented an interview

with a man who complained about the lack of news from the governorates and said he wants

to start a newspaper with a focus on news from the governorates. The complaint is not

new. At regular instances the lack of attention for local news comes up, which is surprising

seen the fact that most of the national newspapers have the organizational infrastructure

to commission, produce and present local news. Most national newspapers have a special

coordinator for local news as well as special sections for local news and extensive networks of

local correspondents.

For the present edition of Media Monitor it was decided to focus on the ow of local news

and the way it takes to reach the pages of the national news media. What facilitates thisprocess?, what are the stumbling blocks? How, by whom and on what basis is news local

news selected? .

In order to nd answers to these questions, it was decided to seek information and views on

both ends of the news production chain and to analyze the content of the news that makes it to

the pages of national news media.

To make the study workable within a relatively short period of time, three newspapers were

selected with extensive networks of correspondents: al Ahram; Masry al Youm and al

Wafd. To limit the scope of this study even more, a representative selection of 6 of the 28

governorates was made: al Sharqiya; Ismailia; Alexandria; North Sinai; Sohag and Luxor. In

each of these governorates, three correspondents were interviewed; one of each of the threenewspapers.

At the other end, contacts were made with the heads of section/ coordinators for the

correspondent networks. Finally an attempt was made to design a tool for the analysis of news

content, but time was not sufcient put it into practice.

The ndings were compared with information from eight correspondents who participated in a

feature production workshop in Alexandra and were asked for their experiences with offering

this feature to their newspaper.

In preparation to this study, the research team had hoped to nd earlier studies that could

be used as a basis or stepping stone. Surprisingly, no indication of previous research on the

subject was found. The researchers realize that the subject of this study was ambitious for the

short time-span and that the sample of correspondents too small to claim that the ndings are

representative for the mechanisms local news production in Egypt as a whole.

Nevertheless we think that the subject is important enough and the preliminary ndings

interesting enough for more research in this eld.

The research team would like to thank mr. Yassr abdelAziz for his valuable advice on the

research design; the three coordinators at the newspapers for their cooperation and the

correspondents in the regions for their hospitality, openness and time in answering all these

questions.


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General ndings of the eld study

The three newspapers under focus of this study have extensive networks of correspondents.

al Ahramand al Wafdhave correspondents in each of the 28 governorates; Masry el

Youm has a network of 55 correspondents.

The newspapers use local correspondents to supply them with local news and sometimes also

with other services. al Wafd party newspaper also uses its network for party political work.

The three newspapers use similar systems for the coordination of their networks of correspon-

dents. In Cairo, there are Heads of correspondent sections who coordinate with correspon-

dents in the governorates. Other sections of the newspaper can also contact correspondents

directly in case of urgent or specic news.

In selecting news items correspondents are focused on editors in Cairo who decide on publi-

cation of their work. They admitted that their news items are not selected on the basis of local

needs and interests, which are therefore not reected in the news published.

The study reveals that between 60 and 80% of news items sent to the Cairo ofce do not reach

the pages of the newspaper. This is the cause of a dramatic waste of energy and resources at

governorate level and a lot of confusion and frustration.

Correspondents do not formally know what the reasons and criteria are for accepting, modify-

ing or refusing news articles and make efforts to guess what these are. There are clear differ-

ences in perception between local reporters and national editors, which negatively affect news

production and quality. Newspapers are more satised with the (quality of) work of local

correspondents than this group thinks.

Both newspaper editors and correspondents name communication as a major problem. 60%

of correspondents this is linked to interpersonal communication; 40% think the poor means of

communication are the cause of this.

Correspondents produced clear suggestions on how their performance can be improved at

relatively low cost and effort. The development of human resource development policies at

national newspapers; regular personal interaction on performance and targeted training activi-

ties were all mentioned.

Newspapers and their correspondent networks

All major newspapers in Egypt run extensive networks of correspondents that are posted inmost if not all the 28 governorates. The major newspapers usually have several correspon-dents in important places, such as Alexandria. The three newspapers under focus of this studyfollow the same pattern. al Ahramhad correspondents in all governorates; al Wafdhas anetwork of 55 correspondents and so does Masry el Youm.

Newspapers use these correspondents to supply them with local news. Party afliated news-papers often seem to ask their correspondents to be active in party political work. al Wafd

asks its correspondents to cover local part meetings and report on electoral performance of theparty.


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The three newspapers use similar systems for the organization of these networks. In Cairo,

there are Heads of correspondent sections who are responsible for coordination with corre-spondents in the governorates. They commission articles; decide on acceptance of refusal fornews pieces proposed; refer local news to relevant departments, etc.

Other departments or sections of the newspaper can also contact correspondents directly incase of urgent news, e.g. accidents or in case of specic news, e.g. sports.

Some newspapers, including al Wafdhave regional bureaus, which function as an intermedi-ary between newspaper and correspondents.

This research tried to obtain information on the mechanisms for recruitment and selection ofcorrespondents, but time was probably too short to obtain it.

Communication between headquarters and correspondents seems to take place informally,with a focus on immediate news supply. There are no mechanisms in place for work review,target setting; guidance & supervision; long term work agreements or career planning.

However it seems this situation is changing. al Ahramand al Wafddo not have human

resource development plans in place for their staff in Cairo or the governorates. al Ahram

recently announced its plans to develop such a policy. alMasry al Youmorganized a seriesof training workshops for its correspondents.

Coordinators at al Masry al Youmwhen asked for problems they face in their managementof the reporters named the physical and health risks that journalists face during work in the

regions; poor time management skills and poor professional performance of correspondents as

compared to their counterparts in the capital.

Coordinators at al Wafd named the following problems: poor communication facilities; the

long distances that need to be covered to hold meetings; the low remuneration of correspon-dents, which reduces actions and therefore the impact of performance appraisal and news

selection criteria used by local correspondents


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Correspondents and their work for newspapers

The correspondents who participated in this study all have an extensive work experience,ranging from ten to thirty years. Almost oall of them have an academic qualification, some ofthem have attended post-graduate education.

Table 4 Type of employment of correpondents interviewed

This table shows that two thirds of the correspondents have a permanent work contract withtheir newspaper and that the others work on a freelance basis. The researcher did not obtaininformation on the nature of the work contract. Are contracts based on performance, such asthe number of news items submitted or published? Or is it a at rate without any incentive?

Although the majority of correspondents interviewed have permanent contracts, most of themsaid they work for multiple employers.

Most of the correspondents in this study do not work through a regional bureau but communi-cate directly with the newspapers.

During the research newspaper editors as well as correspondents frequently referred to thedifcult work environment of journalists in the governorates, so the researcher attempted toobtain more information on this point.


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Table (9)Problems faced by local correspondents during their journalistic work

The table shows that correspondents interviewed for this study face the following problems

in their work: difculties associated with work in one of the governorates (46%); problems

related to the way HQ manages local correspondents (31%) and problems related to the jour-

nalistic working environment (23%)

Problems related to work in a governorate were given as follows:

- The sheer number of daily news events

- The size of the area covered and transport problems

- The risks associated with a deteriorating security situation

- The attitude of ofcials who evade reporters questions

- Cultural hindrances to the communication with women

Problems related to the way HQ manages local correspondents

- Name of reporter or photographer often not mentioned in the paper

- Systematic precedence given to national news over local news

- Communication problems (internet, fax, etc.)

- Lack of facilities (regional ofce) and equipment/ resources- Presence of personal problems with HQ editors/ coordinators

- Difculties in identifying target audiences and their information needs

Problems related to the journalistic work environment:

- Difculties in obtaining information from ofcials

- Frequent requests of ofcials and public for proof of employment/ afliation

- Absence of social and health care provisions/ facilities

- Presence of unprofessional competitors who give our work a negative image


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The production of local news

The study analyzed the mechanisms behind the production of local news. It looked at the way

news items are selected and the type of news that is a result of it.

It also looked at the efciency of news production by comparing the number of items pro-

duced and the number of items published

Correspondents were asked how decisions on the selection of news are taken. They said many

suggestions come from them, but that decisions on publication are taken in Cairo on the basis

of criteria not clear to them. In selecting news items correspondents are therefore completely

focused on their employers, since understanding their wished will lead to higher recognition,

job satisfaction and rewards.

To illustrate this mechanism, correspondents were asked if the news they select is a reection

of needs and interest of the communities whose spokesperson they are.

Figure (27)

Does local news in national newspapers reect information needs of readers in the governorates?

61% of the correspondents interviewed think that local news published by the newspapers

does not (sufciently) reect needs and interest of local readers, while 38.8% thinks localneeds are met by the news published.

Editors at al Masry al Youmand al Wafdwere asked the same question and they expressedthe opinion that local news published by their papers meet the needs of local readers.

Yet, in spite of their efforts to produce news that reect the needs of newspapers in Cairo, cor-

respondents nd it difcult to get their news placed in the national papers.

Both ends of the news production chain afrm that the average number of news items that

correspondents send to Cairo is ve per day, of which usually only one ends up on one of the

pages of the newspaper.


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Table (7)Average number of news items of correspondents that are published

Out of an average of ve news items per day, this table show that 61% of the correspondents

who participated in this study, have only one article published every day; 22% of respondents

said their newspapers publish two of their news items, while the remaining 17% had three

news items published every day.

Coordinators at al Wafdand al Masry al Youmboth conrmed that their newspaper pub-

lishes an average of not more than one news item per day from their provincial reporters and

more depending on the importance of the news.

Correspondents interviewed spend much time speculating about the reasons for such weak

results. Finding ways to improve performance will be benecial and protable.


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Table (8) Reasons for not publishing local news items (according to correspondents)

This table shows that 50% of the correspondents interviewed believe that most of the news

items that they submit are not in line with the editorial policy of the newspaper, while 38%

of the interviewees think a lack of quality of the news items is the reason not to publish. The

remaining 12% blame non publication on the work environment and organizational reasons.

When asked further about editorial reasons, correspondents complained that they are not

informed about these policies, but that they know that the policy always gives precedence tonational news over local news. Organizational reasons include the arrival of local news after

the deadline or other communication problems. Under work environment are grouped the

following reasons: cronyism; the existence of personal feuds with ofcials or personal prefer-

ences at the newspaper.

On the side of al Masry al Youmpoor quality of news items is given as the reason for non-

publication; not sufciently documented, no sources, based on rumors. Personal relationships;

courtesy of the journalist for one of parties of news is also mentioned.

At al Wafdthe main reasons for not publishing of local news items are: poor quality and the

editorial policy which is not in line with the news item.

Both correspondents and newspapers were asked on the basis of which criteria they base their

decisions for (non-) publication. Most correspondents (46,5%) assume that newspapers select

articles on the basis of professional criteria. A further 13,7% assume that compatibility with

editorial policies is an important criteria. Almost 20% names security related news (5.8 %)

and scoops (3.9 %) as important criteria.


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Figure (10) Criteria for the selection of local news according to correspondents

Under professional criteria (46,5%) the following criteria were suggested:

- Importance of the regional news: expected interest of the public and effect

- Depth of the news

- Reliable, credibility and neutrality of the information- Avoidance of exaggeration in transferring details

Under compatibility with editorial policy (13,7%) the following criteria were suggested:

- Avoidance of criticism of newspaper owners

- Party afliation

al Masry al Youmsays it uses objective criteria for the selection of the news: the presence

of the ve Ws; balance, news value, excitement, importance. al Wafduses the following

criteria: importance, neutrality, objectivity and interest of the public.

While comparing the criteria for the selection of news of the newspapers representatives and

correspondents interviewed, the differences are apparent. The rst group says to depend on

the professional, journalistic criteria while the second group believes that there are other crite-

ria, notably related to the newspapers editorial policy.

The researcher asked for their opinion on the criteria they assumed are used and the majority

said they were satised with these criteria.


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Figure (13) Degree of correspondent satisfaction with criteria of newspapers for publication

44.4% of correspondents of the study feel comfortable with editorial decisions, while 27.7%said they agree with it to a certain extent. The remaining 27.7% is not satised with the cri-

teria. In general there is more or less agreement on the criteria between correspondents and

newspapers.

It is important to note that correspondents say they do not know what the criteria are that are

used by editors in Cairo and that the criteria they assume are in place are based on guessworkand analysis. Correspondents also say they do not know what the reasons are for amendments

made to their news articles in Cairo.

When asked, newspaper editors at the newspapers in Cairo summarized the most important

amendments made as: deletion, curtailment, and modication of language and style.


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Figure (19)Type of amendments on correspondents work carried out by Cairo editors

The most important amendments made by editors are merging a news items with a larger topic

(37.5%); a change of language and style (27.5%); reduction of the size (25%); the correctionof language errors (7.5%) and the addition of (background) information (2.5%)

Correspondents were also asked for suggestions on how their performance could be improved,

waste and frustration reduced, and the number of news items presented to Cairo increased

Figure (21)Views of local correspondents on how their performance can be raised

Most correspondents (40,4%) think that a change in editorial policy would lead to improved

performance, while almost the same percentage (33.8%) think improved efciency on the sideof correspondents would sort this effect. The remaining 25.4% think the solution can be found

in improved communication services.


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Changes in the editorial policy:

- Allocate a xed page to the provinces

- Increase the number of pages allocated to the provinces

- Increase the area for regional news on the front page

- Reduce the centralization of editorial decisions within the newspaper.

Improved efciency of reporters

- Select journalists with an academic background

- Establish ofces for the newspaper in the provinces

- Improve the nancial status of correspondents

- Organize training for correspondents (English language)

Improve mechanisms of communication

- Provide the reporter with modern technology (cameras, computers).

- Organize training for correspondents (English language)

- Increase the communication via the Internet

- Hold regular meetings

Editors at al Masry al Youmand al Wafdanswered the same question with a variety of

suggestions: coaching of reporters (intensify reading, set performance targets); training (eld

of specialization, language skills) bu they did not mention more clarity on editorial policy or

improved communication mechanisms.

Communication and interaction

Communication was an issue that was often raised by correspondents and newspaper editors

and was given a double meaning. This study looked at personal interaction; means of commu-

nication and the different stages of the communication process.

Concerning the last point, 94.4% of news items produced locally are sent directly to Cairo and

the remainder is sent to a regional ofce or coordinator. When asked for details, correspon-

dents conrmed that there are no communication problems with regional ofces and that all

news items sent to regional ofces are forwarded to Cairo.


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Figure (15) Quality of communication between newspaper and correspondents

This table shows that 44.4% of the correspondents interviewed perceive the quality of their(personal) communication with newspaper representatives as good; 33.3% perceive this as

acceptable and 11.1% as excellent. Newspaper representatives at al Masry al Youmand al

Wafdalso assess their communication with the provincial correspondents as good.

Figure (21) Communication problems with Cairo

The table shows that 60% of correspondents view the lack of personal communication

between Cairo and correspondents as the major problem. This communication is needed

to explain why news pieces are modied, partially deleted or not placed. Personal

communication can also help to combat the low appreciation of the value of local news.

The other 40% of respondents blame the lack of communication mechanisms such as the

absence of regular meetings with the head of department and the newspaper, the absence of

email address for the department, and poor communication services as a source of problems.


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Cairo based representatives at al Masry al Youmand al Wafdacknowledged these com-

munication problems and stressed the difculty of daily communication and the absence of a

system of regular meetings. It is clear that both parties fully agree on the nature and weight of

these communication problems.

Communication problems also inuence the way correspondents and editors view each other.

As was explained earlier, correspondents think that editors are not satised with the quality of

their work and that this is a major reason for non-publication of many news items..

al Masry al Youm,when asked, said they were more or less satised with the performance

of local correspondents, whereas their counterparts at al Wafdsaid they were moderately

satised. A comparison between the two groups shows that newspaper coordinators aregenerally more satised with correspondent performance than their correspondents seem to

think they are.

Training & capacity development

Figure (23) Training activities organized for correspondents

The table shows that 66.6% of individuals participating in the study did not receive any

training by their newspapers during the past year, while 33.3% said they had received trainingby their newspapers a year ago. Information obtained from the newspapers showed that only

al Masry al Youm provided training for its correspondents. The newspaper conrmed that

two three sessions were organized last year.


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Documents

ASAH - Media Monitor - 3rd Edition - English