News Coverage prepared for: The European Union delegation to Egypt

Transcription

1 News Coverage prepared for: The European Union delegation to Egypt Disclaimer: This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of authors of articles and under no circumstances are regarded as reflecting the position of IPSOS or the European Union. 1

2 Thematic Headlines Domestic Scene Al-Adli s Defence Accuses AUC Security of Killing Protestors Islamists Competition Renewed for Shura Council Anger Friday II 229 Injuries in Demonstrations Pope Shenouda to Katatni: Live up to People s Expectations Azhar Law Creates Controversy Divine Powers for Presidential Elections Committee 25 Million Eligible Voters Cast Ballots in 13 Governorates An Employee Sets Himself on Fire The Court and the Culprits The Anger Friday II Today First Night of Tahrir Sit-in 2

3 Newspapers (27/01/2012) Page: 1 Author: Essam Meligi, Khaled Aboul-Ezz and others Al-Adli s Defence Accuses AUC Security of Killing Protestors On the third day of the former minister of Interior s pleading in the case of killing protesters of the January 25 revolution, his defense accused individuals of the security personnel of the American University in Cairo (AUC) of killing protestors. Adly s lawyer, Mohamed al-gendy, claimed that the AUC security shot at protesters from atop AUC buildings. He added that foreign entities were behind the killings. According to al- Ahram, he insinuated Mossad involvement. Similar news was reported in al-masry al-yom, page 1, 11; 3

4 Front Pages: 8 Authors: Various Islamists Competition Renewed for Shura Council As elections for Shura Council are imminent, competition is renewed between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists. In Alexandria, both Islamist sides try to dominate the 6 seats of the governorate through their political parties. Four Copts also join the race in this city, one slate candidate and three individuals. In the Capital city of Cairo, the Muslim Brotherhood s FJP begin their publicity, while the Revolution Continues and al-ittihad parties withdraw from the race, stating that the circumstances are not favorable and that the Islamists will dominate all seats. In al-gharbiyah, 10 party slates are in the race while The Egyptian Bloc and al-wasat are contemplating withdrawal. Copts are said to have launched an intensified publicity campaign in Minya governorate. Heated competition is taking place among the following Copts: Said Bushra Free Constitutional Party s candidate, Mamdouh Ramzi member of Reform and Development party, and Helaslasy Ghani, the Egyptian Bloc s candidate in addition to the individual runners. 4

5 Pages: 2 Author: Intisar al-nimr and others Anger Friday II 16 political movements and coalitions announced participation in demonstrations of the Anger Friday II today. MP Muhammad Anwar al-sadat called for holding an extraordinary session of the People s Assembly from Tahrir Square and in the presence of demonstrators. The Muslim Brotherhood is heavily present in Tahrir to secure, not to participate in the protests. Slafists decided to participate to onfirm their support of the revolution. 5

6 Pages: 3 Author: Ali Abd al-ghani 229 Injuries in Demonstrations The Ministry of Interior reported on 229 injuries during the celebrations of the first anniversary of the revolution. 79 people were hospitalized. A claim was filed against a man who was detected with a knife in the crowd. 6

7 Page: 1 Author: Magdi Fikri Pope Shenouda to Katatni: Live up to People s Expectations In his weekly sermon which he gave at a small hall in the Cleveland clinic where he receives his treatment, Pope Shenouda III congratulated the Egyptian people on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Jan 25 revolution. He also congratulated the new members of the People s Assembly, addressing its Speaker, Dr. Saad al-katatni, wishing him success in meeting people s expectations. 7

8 Page: 7 Author: Abdel Rahman Abbadi Azhar Law Creates Controversy The Azhar law on regulating Azhar affairs is said to have been passed without being referred to the People s Assembly for examination which triggered anger and raised questions mainly highlighted by journalist and intellectual Fahmi Huweidi. 8

9 Pages: Front Page, 7. Author: Abd Al Rahman Abbadi Divine Powers for Presidential Elections Committee The committee supervising presidential elections according to Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration can announce the victory of a candidate who did not run for presidency and no one has the right to contest its decision, said prominent lawyer Mokhtar Nouh. Constitutional distortion continues to haunt presidential elections despite all the promises given by SCAF to correct all the mistakes of the decree of presidential elections, which were previously sighted by the Supreme Constitutional Court. A number of legal experts described Article 28 of the Constitutional Declaration as the article with divine powers, referring to the misuse of power that could result out of it. 9

10 Pages: Front Author: Ahmed Fathy Wael Ghoneim Demands Investigation Wael Ghoneim demands an investing who is responsible for spreading rumors alleging that there are plans to set fire and spread chaos in Egypt on January 25th, Some political activists kept mocking these rumors on their twitter accounts. 10

11 Pages: 1, 6 Author: Ibrahim Qasem 25 Million Eligible Voters Cast Ballots in 13 Governorates 25 million and 380 thousand eligible voters will start casting ballots on Sunday in the first phase of the elections to the Shura Council in 13 governorates. Voters will elect their representatives in 30 single- member and slates constituencies. Judge Abd al-muizz Ibrahim, head of the High Judicial Elections Commission declared that the first session of the Shura Council would be held on February 28. Ibrahim said meetings were held with presidents of 13 elementary courts in the 13 governorates of the first phase to draw the suitable plan for the elections. It is noteworthy that the vote counting will be held in polling stations for the first time, by a special decree by SCAF. Expatriate Egyptians in France, Italy and Jordan, however, started casting their ballots yesterday in the Egyptian ambassadors and consulates in the three countries. 11

12 Pages: 1 Author: Rahma Ramadan and Hani al-houti An Employee Sets Himself on Fire An employee set himself on fire yesterday in Tahrir Square. Demonstrators succeeded in rescuing him and transferred him to al-qasr al-aini hospital. The sign he carried, however, remained in Tahrir Square. The sign told his suffering with the deputy of the Faculty of Applied Arts where he worked. Another worker tried to set himself on fire yesterday morning in front of the Ministry of Social Solidarity because the ministry had not handed him the apartment he subscribed for 3 years ago. He was rescued before he could set himself on fire, and the prosecution started an investigation. Similar news was reported in al-gomhouriya, pp. 1, 15 12

13 Pages: 1, 6 Author: Not mentioned The Court and the Culprits Cairo Criminal Court postponed the trial of former President Muhammad Husni Mubarak, his two sons, the former Minister of Interior Habib al-adili and his six assistants until tomorrow, Saturday. Al-Adili s defense accused the security of the American University in Cairo of shooting demonstrators. He also called for trying the culprits in the Muhammad Mahmoud incidents last November. The defense also declared that al-adili executed the orders of the head of the Intelligence Apparatus to cut off all means of communication. In a related context, the Criminal Court of North Cairo ruled on favor of Captain Islam Said who was proved innocent of the charges of killing a demonstrator on the Friday of Anger on January 28,

14 Pages: 1, 4, 5 Author: Many authors The Anger Friday II Today 60 political movements and coalitions will demonstrate today in Tahrir Square in what has been called the Anger Friday II or the Friday of Pride and Dignity. The demonstrations are meant to assert the continuity of the revolution until SCAF hands over power to an elected civil authority. Strict security measures have been taken around the Ministry of Interior, the People s Assembly, the Cabinet and Maspero [the State TV premises]. Activists launched an internet campaign calling on people to take part in the demonstrations that will be organized today all over Egypt. Demonstrations will start from mosques after the Friday prayers and head to Tahrir Square. A sit in will also be staged by a number of political players. The sit-in will continue until power is handed over to an elected civil authority. Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood seem to be swimming against the revolutionary current by announcing celebrations for three days and boycotting protests and sit-ins. 14

15 Pages: 4 Author: Various First Night of Tahrir Sit-in In the first night of protestors sit-in in Tahrir after the first anniversary of the revolution, protestors celebrated with songs and fireworks. Tents were erected after a number of political forces and coalitions announced they were going to start sit-ins. At late hours of the night all people s defense committees withdrew from the square. Thousands of protesters organized marches from Tahrir to Maspiro, demanding the SCAF to hand over power to the newly elected Speaker of the People s Assembly. While political forces disagreed on what to call this Friday s protests, the Muslim Brotherhood said that their sit-in was only symbolic aiming at protecting the peacefulness and gains of the revolution. Similar news was reported in al-gomhouriya, page 1; al-ahram, page 1; al-masry al-yom, page 1. 15

16 TV Coverage (26/1/2012) Channel: al-hayah TV Program: al-hayah al-yawm Broadcaster: Lubna Assal Speaker of the People s Assembly turns down a Knesset invitation to Israel. The stock market reaches its highest peak since the beginning of the revolution with L.E billion. In a phone call: Member of the Democratic Alliance Hamdi Bahaa al-din: so far, the legitimacy is for the Square not for the Parliament. We do not approve handing over power to the Speaker of the People s Assembly, said MP Muhammad al-biltagi in a phone call. Head of the Judicial Elections High Commission: the first session of the Shura Council will be held on February 28. Channel: ON TV Program: Baladna (talk show) Broadcaster: Reem Majid Guests: Ayman al-sayyad, editor-in-chief of Wijhat Nazar Magazine; MP Amir Bassam; Sali Touma (member of the executive office of the Revolution outh Coalition) Time: 17:00 Tahrir Suuare regains its cal, after the celebration of the first anniversary of the January 25 Revolution, and a number of political players stage a sit-in until tomorrow (Friday), calling for handing over the political power to a civil authority and punishing the killers of demonstrators. 16

17 Channel 1 National TV Program: News Time: 17: 00 Expatriate Egyptians cast ballots in the elections to the Shura Council. Channel: Ch 1 Program: 24 hour Time: 25:00 Vote counting will be in polling stations in the elections to the Shura Council that are to start on January 29, Thousands flock to Tahrir Square to prepare for the Friday demonstrations calling for handing over the political power and punishing the culprits in killing demonstrators. Calm prevails in Tahrir Square and the traffic is back to normal after the celebrations. Political players are to take part in tomorrow s demonstrations and the armed and security forces will not be in the Square.. Foreign Ministry: Expatriate Egyptians cast ballots in the elections to the Shura Council. Channel 2 National TV Program: Yeseed Sabahak Broadcaster: Ahmad al-sawi and Sara al-hilali 30. Once again, SCAF confirms that the armed forces will go back to their barracks on January The Revolution Youth Coalition stages a sit-in in Tahrir Square to assure the continuing revolution and call for realizing its goals. 17

18 Radio Coverage (26/1/2012) News All Day Channel: State Radio Tahrir Square restores tranquility after the celebration of the January 25 Revolution s first anniversary and a sit-in is staged by a number of political players until tomorrow to call for handing over power to a civil authority. (12:00) The High Judicial Elections Commission is ready for the Shura Council elections. (15:00) Demonstrators crowded in front of Maspero, calling for handing over the power to an elected civil authority, turning the armed forces to their barracks and punishing the culprits in killing demonstrators. (27:00) Expatriate Egyptians vote in the first phase of elections to the Shura Coucnil. (28:00) News All Day Channel: Al-Shark Al-Awsat The Revolution Youth Union stages a sit-in in Tahrir Square to confirm the continuity of the revolution and call for realizing its goals. (24:00) Head of the High Judicial Elections Commission announced the Shura Council elections on Sunday, January 29, (24:00) Egyptian embassies and consulates start receiving mail votes today in the elections to the Shura Council. (15:00) Calm prevails in Tahrir Square and the traffic is back to normal after the celebrations. (16:00) 18

19 News All Day Channel: State Radio A number of political players called for demonstrations tomorrow on the so-called the Friday of Pride and Dignity). A number of political players called for staging an open sit-in in Tahrir Square to call for handing over the political power to the elected People s Assembly.(16:00) 6 of April Movement, the Revolution Coalition and Kifaya Movement decide staging a sitin in Tahrir.(18:00) Al-Awwa approved the handing over of power, saying celebrations, not sit-ins, will continue for three days in Tahrir. 19

20 Internet Coverage (27/01/2012) Facebook We are all Khaled Saeed Counselor Tarek el-beshri, chairman of the constitutional amendments committee appointed by SCAF in February 2011: A president should be elected during drafting the constitution and not after. Electing a president after the new constitution is better because such constitution will be drafted under a government powered by the military council. Egyptian Cabinet Prime Minister Kamal el-ganzouri ordered the reopening of the funds file to reveal the truth against media allegations. Ganzouri said the funds value are estimated at EGP 35 billion. Wael Abbas: Twitter I m in Maspero and everything in fine. I ve heard that the Muslim Brotherhood is being beaten up in Tahrir Square. What is going on? A large brawl in Falaki now over harassing female foreigners. Wael Ghoneim: The definition of the Down with the SCAF rule chant: Gsquare86: Marchers in Abbassiya, please head to the Defense Ministry premises, while those in Giza or Mohandissen, please go to Maspero. Maspero is an important battle people. 20

21 We must be at the Defense Ministry and Maspero at the same time. Iyad elbaghdadi: For those joining us later, Twitter has announced it will enable censorship of selective content by country. #TwitterCensored I wish they could Arabize Twitter s interface without Arabizing into a censor mentality too. #TwitterCensored Are we overreacting? Maybe. But it s an anti-censorship, pro-freespech party and everyone s invited. Asmaa Mahfouz: The number is increasing here in Maspero. The square cannot be dominated by one faction. Come to Maspero. More than once march headed from Tahrir toward here. The Muslim Brotherhood is trying to take control over Tahrir to their own benefit. 21

22 Publication overview Al-Ahram: Egyptian state-run official daily newspaper Founded in 1875, is the most widely circulating Egyptian daily newspaper, and the second oldest after al-waqa'i`al-masriya (English: The Egyptian Events, founded 1828). It is majority owned by the Egyptian government. Al-Akhbar: Egyptian state-owned semi-official daily newspaper It was founded in May 1952 as a part of Akhbar El Yom. Al-Gomhoria: Egyptian state-owned daily newspaper An influential state-owned Egyptian Arabic language daily newspaper. It was established in Al-Shorouk: Egyptian daily independent newspaper Is a prominent Arabic newspaper published in Egypt [1] and several other Arabic nations It is a daily independent newspaper, covering mainly politics, militant affairs and sport. Al-Masry al-yom: Independent daily newspaper On 7 June 2004, it published its first edition. The paper initially circulated primarily amongst Cairo s intellectual elite, providing objective news coverage in the belief that good news would beat sensationalist reporting found in other Egyptian print media. After 3 years, it was challenging Al-Ahram for the status of being the national paper of record. Though Tahrir: Daily independent newspaper Dostor: Daily independent newspaper Yom 7: Daily independent newspaper 22

23 Table of Content: Newspapers Al Ahram Newspaper Al-Adli s Defence Accuses AUC Security of Killing Protestors. 3 Al Masry Al Youm Newspaper Islamists Competition Renewed for Shura Council....4 Al Gomhuria Newspaper Anger Friday II Injuries in Demonstrations..6 Al Dostour Newspaper Pope Shenouda to Katatni: Live up to People s Expectations..7 Al Tahrir Newspaper Azhar Law Creates Controversy 8 Divine Powers for Presidential Elections Committee. 9 Al Sherouk Newspaper Wael Ghoneim Demands Investigation 10 Al Youm Al Sabea Newspaper 25 Million Eligible Voters Cast Ballots in 13 Governorates 11 An Employee Sets Himself on Fire 12 The Court and the Culprits 13 The Anger Friday II 14 Al Akhbar Newspaper First Night of Tahrir Sit-in 15 TV Coverage Al Hayah TV Channel On TVChannel. 16 Channel Channel Radio Coverage Radio Misr. 18 Al Shraq Al Awsat. 18 Mega FM...19 Internet coverage Facebook.. 20 Twitter