Global Media News

Al Jazeera Journalist Released From Egyptian Prison, Two Others Remain

    According to Wadah Khanfar, writing for theguardian.com, Peter Greste, journalist for al-Jazeera, was released from an Egyptian prison after 400 days.  Khanfar and his two fellow journalist were arrested due to the lack of freedom of press in Egypt under dictator Hosni Mubarak.  Despite the fact that Khanfar was released, his two fellow journalists are still being detained in the Egyptian prison.  Mohamed Fahmy, one of the two detainees, has been asked to revoke his Egyptian citizenship because he has dual nationality in Canada, and will make is easier to be deported.  The court has discriminated against Baher Mohamed, the third journalist, because he was given three extra years more than the other two journalists, making him imprisoned for ten years, rather than seven.

“They were arrested while conducting their professional duties, but the court imprisoned them for allegedly spreading lies and distorted the image of Egypt.”

    Under Egypt’s dictatorship, there is no freedom of press, making it very difficult for journalists to report on any news.  Egyptian citizens are fearful of their dictator and have no voice to help detained journalists be set free.  These men were doing their jobs and it’s saddening to see that journalists may be jailed or killed for reporting the news. 

BBC.com reports that there are campaigns running to urge the release of the other two journalists.  Greste spoke with a fellow journalist on the phone while he waited at Cairo's airport for departure.  Sue Turton, an Al Jazeera journalist who was also charged 10 years in an Egyptian prison, explained Greste was of course excited, but after his excitement the seriousness set in.  

"She said one of her colleagues managed to talk to Mr Greste on the phone as he waited at a departure lounge at Cairo's airport. She said "he was joking, and obviously he's elated. But his second sentence straight after that elation was - we've still got to get the other two out"."

Although the fate of these two journalists is unclear, the hope for their return is still kept alive.  The campaigns continue to pull in, and will hopefully make a difference.  

Global Media News Webcast # 10: Thursday April 16, 2015

Listen to Global Media News for Thursday, April 16, 2015

This week on Global Media News:  Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Dubai!

• From Dubai: Is the Government Censoring News about Slavery?
• Is the Egyptian Government Putting Pressure on the Media?
• Syrian Hackers:  On the Cyber-Front in Syria
• In the Grip of the Law: Reality TV in Iraq
• Radio Al-Salam:  Iraqi radio for refugees
• Internet Censorship in Iraq
• Social Media and the \Coverage of the War in Iraq

Global Media News is a weekly webcast covering media news from around the world.  GMN is a production of  Media Studies students from the SUNY College @ Old Westbury.   We scour the web for news about the world's media.

Listen to our next webcast from the New Media Newsroom  streaming live on Thursday, April 23 @ 11am EST.

Can't listen live? Our next webcast of the season will be posted by 2:00pm, Thursday, April 23, 2015.

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Al Jazeera Journalists Awaiting Retrial in Egypt

Two Al Jazeera journalists, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, are awaiting retrial after being imprisoned in Cairo on terrorism related charges.  Fahmy and Mohamed went to trial two times before this last session where both were adjourned.  The most recent trial was postponed because the witnesses failed to attend court for the second hearing in a row.

Australian Al Jazeera reporter Peter Greste was also involved in the case and was imprisoned for 400 days before being released on February 1st and sent back to Australia.  The three reporters were detained in December 2013 where they were convicted of spreading inaccurate news and collaborating with the Muslim Brotherhood, a banned religious and political group that goes against Islamist views.

Geste, who was released before Fahmy and Mohamed, wrote letters from Cairo's Tora Prison displaying his anger at being jailed on charges of falsifying news and tarnishing Egypt's reputation.  He stated that the "new normal" in Egypt has changed so drastically that regular journalism now became threatening.

In a letter smuggled out of Mohamed Fahey's prison cell, he said:

"A key part of our defense has been to convince the judge of our professional integrity; to prove to him that we are journalists striving for the truth; and not agents of terror."

The Al Jazeera journalists say they have been left in "unprecedented legal limbo" after facing a long series of setbacks and extreme complications.

Television, which is Egypt's most prevalent medium, is made up of mostly state-influenced channels.  The Egyptian government indirectly influences the decisions of what type of information is shown and what is kept from its viewers.  Any kind of information shown that the government feels goes against them is said to be terrorism.  The Al Jazeera journalists were charged on these same terms of exposing the government's flaws.

A five-minute film released in December 2013, titled "Trapped," captures the impact of the media on Egypt.  "Trapped" portrays an old man living a normal life in Cairo, watching television and eating in his home.  As he changes channels, the receptiveness of the media is depicted, each channel showing breaking news with accusations of "terrorists" destroying the country.

The media is said to be Egypt's own con artist, painting a false picture in the minds of Egyptians and glorifying the police, army, and government.  The journalists who dedicate their lives to exposing the truth about government wrongdoing's are punished and sentenced to imprisonment.

Nour Abdel-Ghani, a student and writer for Egyptian Streets, wrote in an opinion article:

"Fear is what fuels self-censorship. Government economic and political influence is what fuels propaganda. When combined, when self-censorship succumbs to pro-regime propaganda, these two prove disastrous. It is the media, to use its own words, that “terrorizes” the people; it is the media that “terrorizes” the hope of a democratic society."

These journalists, known as "terrorists," are protesting against the injustice and oppression and face serious obstacles in reputable reporting.  Self-censorship is the only way they can maintain their freedom without risk of consequence.

Egyptian Media Vows to Limit Government Criticism

After a deadly militant attack against Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai peninsula, the Egyptian media promised that they would refrain from criticism of the government.

Egyptian media is one of the most influential and widely-read in the region, with television as their most popular source of the news.  There is a huge political divide in the media where non-state outlets side with the liberal and secular position while Islamic media stand behind ousted President, Mohammad Morsi.  Mr. Morsi's supporters are "quick to attack media and journalists" and have a huge support with the Muslim Brotherhood.  

The attack back in October of 2014 triggered President Abdel Fattah e-Sisi's idea that it was a "conspiracy," prompting a group of Egyptian newspaper editors to pledge against criticizing the government.  State institutions and government loyalists have come together to condemn terrorism and move against any kind of dissent against the government.

Sisi and the government believe that any kind of criticism against the government and the military is seen as aiding terrorism, justifying the new crackdown.

Free speech is one of the major changes pledged by Sisi in a "new Egypt" but Sherif Mansour, Middle East program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said that Sisi's promise to maintain freedom of speech was not sincere.  Mansour says:

"This is a double-faced policy trying to appease the international community, arguing that Egypt is on track for democracy and justifying restrictive measures under an anti-terrorism banner."

Michele Dunne, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said:

"President el-Sissi explicitly instructed journalists to refrain from agitating the public, saying that the media needs to preserve the integrity of the Egyptian state.  Following that, the heads of major government and privately owned newspapers pledged to refrain from covering unrest or criticize state institutions."

Many Egyptian journalists have shown major resistance against government efforts to control the media.  Hundreds are joining together to speak out against the pledge to limit criticism and are continuing critical coverage of Egypt.

Stephen McInerney, executive director of the Program for Middle East Democracy, believes it is essential for the U.S. to aid in this issue of freedom of the press and human rights in order to govern democratically.  But the U.S. is hesitant to assist because they are trying to build an Arab coalition against ISIL and wants Egypt participation.

Global Media News Spring 2015 Premiere!

Global Media News: North African Media!

Global Media News is a weekly webcast covering media news from around the world.  GMN is a production of  Media Studies students from the SUNY College @ Old Westbury.   We scour the web for news about the world's media.

This week on Global Media News:  North Africa!  

Media news about Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Algeria & Tunisia:

• Egyptian Press Freedom:  Two Al Jazeera Journalists Still in Prison
• Bassem Youseff:  Poltical Satire on Egyptian Television?
• Revolutionary Rap from North Africa
• Social Media in Libya since the Overthrow of Gaddafi
• Moroccan Media Reform:  Free Press or Censorship?
• TV News in Algeria: Khabar Broadcasting Corporation

This is our first webcast of the season!   See you next week!

Listen to our next webcast from the New Media Newsroom  streaming live on Thursday, February 12 @ 11am EST.

Can't listen live? Our next webcast of the season will be posted by 2:00pm, Thursday, February 12, 2015.

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Revolutionary Rap in North Africa

    

    Ever since its inception in New York, Hip Hop/Rap has become a voice for the voiceless, speaking out against social injustices. Urban youth were let down by America and created an art form with which to strike back and claim an empowerment that would help their voice span the globe.

    This is the case in North Africa as many rappers have emerged as a result of corrupt politics, conflict, and revolution. Though their lyrics are not in English, their message is clear: "We want change." Revolution has occurred in places like  Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Libya, but some artists feel there has not been any change. They've used their lyrics encouraging people to become more politically conscious as well as call out corrupt government officials and institutions. Rap has now become the unofficial soundtrack for revolution.

    Among these rappers is "El Général" who in 2010 released a song called "Rais Le Bled" which translates to "Head of State" in English. The song spoke out against former Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. El Général was arrested in 2011 for this track, and released after three days of interrogation. Social media helped his cause as it does many rappers of the region. The track was released on YouTube and was able to circumnavigate the world. This is the case with the majority of North African rappers who don't need to professionally record and produce their music, lest they be censored by the powers that control media distribution. Using Hip Hop and the internet in tandem have made it an unstoppable force, helping these artists to gain international fame. With that fame, comes their message and themes of political consciousness. These rappers have actually been able to develop an American fan base, and visit New York to perform in the home of Hip Hop.

    In some ways, American Hip Hop has devolved from political activism to promoting consumerism, lavish lifestyles, violence, drug use and sexual promiscuity. It's because of this modern mainstream music that Hip Hop is  berated for having an adverse effect on those who listen to it, primarily modern youth; Parents groups will say Hip Hop has no place as an art form, or even as music. They'll say that it influences listeners to act out the lyrics they hear in songs and take after the rappers that sing them. Hopefully in this case, Hip Hop's detractors are correct. If music can influence listeners that much, then perhaps revolutionary lyrics can shake modern day youth out of apathy and into a role of self-empowerment and self-advocacy; to fight for the future they will one day be responsible for.

Global Media News Webcast #1: September 19, 2013

Our New Media Newsroom Premiere!

Global Media News Webcast for September 19, 2013

Global Media News is a weekly webcast covering new media news from around the world.  GMN is a production of  Media Studies students from the SUNY College @ Old Westbury. 

This week on Global Media News: 

• Will Papers Fold? Print in the Age of the Internet
•  Social Media & the Press:  Death Match or Love Story?
• Fired for Tweeting?  Journalists & Social Media
• TV News Goes Social
• Egyptian Crackdown on Journalists
• Journalist Jailed for Links to Anonymous: Barrett Brown and Press Freedom
• FaceBook Tools for Journalists
• Social Media & Sports: What Happens When Athletes Tweet?

This is our first webcast of the season!   See you next week!

Listen to our next webcast from the New Media Newsroom  streaming live on Thursday, September 26 @ 11am EST.

Can't listen live? Our next webcast of the season will be posted by 2:00pm, Thursday, September 26, 2013.

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Global Media News #1: January 31, 2013

  Media in the Maghreb & Egypt

Global Media News for January 31, 2013

Welcome to a brand new 12 webcast season of GMN!   Global Media News is a weekly webcast covering media news from around the world.  This webcast is a production of  Media Studies students from the SUNY College @ Old Westbury.

This week on Global Media News:   "Media Stories from North Africa"

• Photo-Sharing and Censorship in Egypt
• Egyptian Journalists under Pressure
• Social Media in Libya's Awakening
• Tweeting about Rape in Morocco
• A New Code of Journalistic Ethics in the Arab Mahgreb Union
• Egyptian TV's American Influences

Next week on GMN:  African Media News

Listen to our webcast streaming live next Thursday @ 11am EST.

Can't listen live? Our next webcast of the season will be posted by 2:00pm, Thursday, February  7, 2013.

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Google Governing Free Speech!

    Have you ever thought of google as a quasi state, because that is what is has become.  In 2010 the New York Times wrote an article called “Google Searches for a Foreign Policy”. This concept of google having a foreign policy is still relevant today.  The most recent example would be the current hype around the Muslim “hate” video. The article written over two years ago discusses the idea that companies like google need to have a foreign policy for the US government has yet to come up with a solid foreign policy in the digital world. This is still true today.  The article brings up a very good point,

“...the fact that the World Wide Web is no longer just a force for freedom and diversity but also a tool for repression. Governments use it to spy on dissidents, human rights activists, and other troublesome elements.This change happened so fast that it left the foreign policy establishment gasping to catch up”

It seems that companies like Google should be sitting at the tale with government leaders writing foreign policies and deciding what information should be free and to whom.  Does everyone realise that a corporate company, where there are no elected officials and no representation by the people has the control over our freedoms!

Should Google Have The Power To Censor?

      The most recent example of Google choosing when and what to censor had to do with an Anti-Islam video on Youtube. A very interesting article on the topic was posted on the Global Voices Advocacy web page b Jill York. The article titled, “In Censoring Anti-Islam Video, Did Google Do The Right Thing?” is very self explanatory to the topic of discussion.

    According to the article written by Jill York, the video was made by an American Coptic Christian, with the purpose of inciting anger in Muslims. The video was aired on Egyptian television last week, and is said to have sparked protests outside the American Embassy in Cairo. These protests arose in several other countries including Afghanistan.

    Afghanistan's governemnt along with several other countries blocked the video, but a concern arises when Google decides what countries are to be blocked from the viewing the video. Does Google have the right to censor a country from viewing a video, without a legal request? Google decided to block both Libya and Egypt from viewing the video along with several other countries. It is said that the White House had put pressure on Google to block the video, but ultimately the decision came from Google, not the governments of these countries. The video did not break any of Youtube's Terms of Service.

    This is just one recent example of google choosing who to censor. A serious concern is raised about censorship, who has the power and is it taking away our liberties?

    The digital revolution has put Google in a very powerful global position. Another article that discusses the Anti-Muslim video found on WashingtonPost.com, makes several points about the role Google plays in global freedom of speech. The article called, Google’s restricting of anti-Muslim video shows role of Web firms as free-speech arbiters says,

“Both government and Google officials said the company made its own decision after the White House raised the issue of the video on Tuesday, the day that U.S. Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed. Personal Pos “We reached out to YouTube to call the video to their attention and asked them to review whether it violates their terms of use,” National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said on Friday.”

    Google truly has the power to decide what is seen globally. In the past Google had complied with Chinese government and censorship laws before it moved its headquarters to Hong Kong. You can view Nazi propaganda on Google.com but not on Google.de. Google and US government officials have both said that freedom of speech is now in the hands of the web, mainly Google and Facebook.

    Now Google has Terms of Service that they don’t always adhere to, and when violence and death result from a video that is streamed through their company it does raise concerns. I believe that Google has every right to block a video if it has a global effect of violence. Although the White House did request the video to be blocked, it was the choice of Google to do so.

    For those of you living in the US, who wish to watch the video, it is still available on youtube. I do not wish to promote a hate video, so if you have a desire to watch it, go online and do the research to find it!