Egypt Enforces Tough Media Restrictions

One can't blame journalists in Egypt for being confused about what they can (and can't) cover and what language to use in their reports, given the widening chasm between authorities and countless news organizations. Local and foreign journalists could face prosecution and jail if they fall afoul of anti-terrorism legislation to be passed shortly that bars them from publishing news deviating from the official version of terrorist-related events. Louisa Loveluck, Cairo correspondent for Britain's The Telegraph, tweeted about a memo from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry saying it wasn't OK to use the term ISIS to describe the group currently terrorizing much of the Arab world, and beyond.

Under the new rules, journalists are told not to use the terms "Islamists, Islamic groups, jihadists, jihadis, sheikhs, emirs, ulamas, ISIS, ISIL, Islamic State, fundamentalists, puritans and literalists." Why? "Terminologies that are religiously based or faith oriented carry in its fold negative connotations which are largely based on heinous stereotypes and ill-informed predispositions. These terminologies tarnish the image of Islam as it falsely attaches the horrendous acts of these extremist groups to the Islamic faith," the memo said. Instead, journalists are urged to use "terrorists, extremists, criminals, murderers, killers, radicals, fanatics, rebels, executioner, assassins, slayers, destroyers," to name a few. The draft law has ruffled feathers among an Egyptian press which often now marches in lockstep with the government, giving favourable coverage to aspects of a sweeping crackdown that has seen tens of thousands of people -- including journalists -- arrested over a two-year period," Loveluck wrote.