Sisi successfully uses Sinai bombings to tame the media

Before the attack on the Egyptian army in the north of Sinai last Friday, resulting in the death and wounding of dozens of soldiers, President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi did not miss the opportunity to criticise the country’s media and accuse it of failing to cooperate with him, as well as hindering the development of the state and intensifying community division.

Over the past two weeks, the media has publicly voiced criticism against Al-Sisi and other officials following number of incidents of neglect and the deterioration of the people’s living.

The tension between the two parties reached its peak last Sunday when Al-Sisi criticised the media during a press conference with Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir. On the same day, the government cut Wael Al-Ibrashi’s broadcast while he criticised the government on the “10 O’clock” television show. In addition to this, the media personality, Amr Adib, harshly criticised Al-Sisi and said, in a rare display of candour: “Mr President, if you are not going to change the loser ministers, then you need to be changed, and if you say there are no other qualified ministers, then you are going to be dismissed.”

Al-Sisi is a red line

There have been numerous forms of criticism against Al-Sisi in most private Egyptian media outlets owned by businessmen closely associated with the Mubarak regime, in an unprecedented manner since the coup. Privately owned newspapers have also published many articles and reports that harshly criticise Al-Sisi and note that the situation in the state continues to deteriorate.

In response to these criticisms, Al-Sisi’s supporters started the hashtag #السيسي_خط_أحمر (The red line lies at Al-Sisi) to express their rejection of what they consider to be an insult to the president.

During Mubarak’s reign, it was normal for the media to focus its attacks on the ministers and mayors without referring to the president, but in many instances, the media urged the president to intervene in order to fix something or punish a lacking official. The Egyptian media never held a president responsible or accountable until Mohamed Morsi came to office. He was held responsible for every problem in the state, no matter what is was, and people were called to take to the streets to protest against him because he was the top official in the country.

Since the July 3 coup, the media has always found excuses for Al-Sisi and used the state’s difficult situation, the fight against terrorism, and foreign conspiracies to justify this. However, now, most media outlets are directing their attacks at Al-Sisi and are holding him responsible for the mistakes made by the ministers and mayors, emphasising that they will not stop criticising him.

The overthrow of Mahmoud Saad

The situation changed dramatically over the past two days, as the tone of criticism in the media outlets has changed and has been replaced with messages of support and unconditional backing of Al-Sisi in his war against terrorism.

The media production room, which consists of the owners of satellite television stations, issued a joint statement with the state television station, in which it reiterated the media’s support for the armed forces and the police in the face of terrorist gangs. They also noted that the journalists would carry out their duties honourably, fight terrorism, and support the state, armed forces, and police in all measures needed to preserve the security of Egypt.

The statement also said that they will not host any guests or allow any journalist to continue work if they doubt the capabilities of the state or criticise its institutions during these difficult circumstances.

The first application of this statement was Al-Nahar television station’s decision to axe journalist Mahmoud Saad and suddenly prevent him from presenting his talk show “Akher Al-Nahar”.

On Saturday, Al-Nahar issued a statement confirming that it had taken measures with respect to its programmes in order to prevent hosting a number of guests who spread rumours about Egypt and its future and who promote foreign accusations against the country and weaken the morale of the Egyptian army.

This measure was taken in light of demands from the supporters of the regime, including Zamalek Sporting Club President Mortada Mansour, to stop Mahmoud Saad from working, accusing him of treason and conspiracy against the army and police.

No accountability or reproach

For his part, Coptic businessman and owner of OTV (Orascom Television), Naguib Sawiris urged people not to criticise the state, especially the security institutions during this time, justifying this by saying that the terrorists want the Egyptians to disagree with each other.

Al-Sisi had warned the Egyptian people against allowing those he called “the enemies of the state” to infiltrate the Egyptian people and their security institutions and shake their confidence. He asked Egyptians to unite with the political leadership in its fight against terrorism.

The journalists’ union also issued a statement in which it announced it would fight for the survival of the Egyptian state and will stand against those undermining its institutions under the pretext of differing with or opposing the government.

Amr Adib, who had demanded that Al-Sisi leave if he fails to resolve the people’s problems, transformed overnight into the greatest defender of Al-Sisi. On Saturday, he cried on air and declared to Al-Sisi: “We are all behind you; say bismillah and fight terrorism and we will back you. Do not allow your faith in the Egyptian people to be shaken; we stand together in this time of crisis.”

Adib concluded his statement of support for the state with a sentence that summed up the new relationship between the media and Al-Sisi: “There will be no accountability or reproach until after terrorism is eliminated.”

Translated from Arabi21, 26 October, 2014

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.