Report: Violations of journalist and media rights in Egypt (May 2023 - May 2024)

The government tightly controls the media landscape and uses repressive measures to silence dissenting voices. Independent media platforms, able to exist only online, are constantly being blocked. Influenced by the executive branch, the judiciary often fails to uphold fair trial standards, particularly in cases involving journalists and political opponents. This climate of fear and repression has led to widespread self-censorship among journalists, further stifling freedom of expression in Egypt. On top of legal and independence challenges, journalists struggle due to the economic crisis that has been escalating for the last two years. Their salaries are insufficient and do not reflect high inflation, and many journalists lose their jobs without warning.

Any democratic society must support a free, bold, and independent press. Respect for expression, free access to information, and the presence of independent and active media are the cornerstone of any democratic society. The state should ensure the safety of journalists, enable them to seek, transmit, and receive information, and assure their civil, economic, social, and political rights.

The state of press freedom in Egypt has reached alarming levels, with significant violations documented in the 2023 legal report by the Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media. This report brings to light the harsh realities that journalists in Egypt face daily, from arbitrary arrests and prolonged pretrial detentions to severe restrictions on legal representation, particularly in cases that are politically charged.

Legal Challenges and Systemic Issues

The report mentioned above documents how journalists in Egypt are frequently targeted with grave charges such as spreading false news, affiliating with terrorist organisations, and other accusations closely tied to their journalistic activities. These charges are often used as tools of repression, designed to silence dissenting voices and maintain strict control over the media. The legal system, already under strain, imposes additional obstacles on journalists, particularly in labour courts, where they face wage discrimination and challenges securing justice for arbitrary dismissals. The failure to pass crucial legislation on information circulation further worsens these issues, leaving journalists without adequate protection.

Between 1 May 2023 and 1 May 2024, press freedoms in Egypt faced significant challenges, with 367 violations against journalists and media workers reported. The most alarming violations during this period included 36 cases where journalists were subjected to renewed detention pending investigations, often exceeding the legally stipulated period for pretrial detention as outlined in the Code of Criminal Procedure. The government actively prevented media coverage in 26 incidents, highlighting the restrictions on the press's ability to report freely. Verbal abuse or threats against journalists and media workers were also prevalent, with 14 cases reported, alongside 13 instances of physical abuse. In addition to these, there were 9 cases of arbitrary arrests of journalists. Digital censorship was also evident, with five instances where digital platforms were blocked, further restricting access to information and limiting journalistic freedom.

Journalists' economic and social rights also suffered, with 225 violations recorded during this period. The most frequent violation was withholding financial rights, which occurred 134 times. Arbitrary dismissal followed, with 83 cases reported. Intellectual property violations occurred seven times.

The Struggle of Female Journalists

The situation is even direr for female journalists, who face disproportionate levels of abuse, particularly online. A research paper (Violence and Electronic Abuse Directed Against Female Journalists/Media Professionals in Egypt ) released by the Egyptian Observatory for Journalism and Media addresses the widespread issue of online harassment targeting women in journalism. The paper emphasises how the nature of social media platforms exposes female journalists to heightened risks of abuse, including threats, sexual harassment, and cyberbullying. This abuse is not only more prevalent but also more severe than that experienced by their male colleagues.

The psychological toll of such abuse on female journalists cannot be overstated. Many report experiencing anxiety, resorting to self-censorship, or even contemplating leaving the profession entirely due to the relentless online harassment they endure. Global studies referenced in the paper underscore the severity of this issue: nearly 64% of female journalists have faced online harassment, with 47% of these cases going unreported due to fear of revenge or further abuse.

Online Abuse: A Global Perspective

The report further contextualises the problem within a global framework. The "Ditch the Label and Brand Watch" report, which analysed 19 million tweets over four years, found nearly 5 million instances of hate and abuse directed at women on Twitter alone. Such statistics underscore the aggressive nature of online abuse, particularly against women, and the need for more robust protections.

A global survey by the International Federation of Journalists revealed that nearly two-thirds (64%) of female journalists have been subjected to online abuse, with roughly half of them choosing not to report these incidents. The impact of such abuse is profound, with a study by the Troll Busters Foundation and the International Women's Media Foundation indicating that about 30% of female journalists have considered leaving the profession due to the effects of online abuse related to their work.

Urgent Need for Reform

These findings highlight the urgent need for stronger legal protections and support systems for journalists in Egypt, particularly for women. The recommendations outlined in the Egyptian Observatory's report call for comprehensive reforms to safeguard journalists' rights and ensure that media professionals can work without fear of persecution or harassment. These reforms are crucial not only for protecting individual journalists but also for preserving press freedom and the democratic principles that are increasingly under threat in Egypt.