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NGOs as Civil Society Actors on Media Policy Change in Egypt: Capacity Building within a Contextual Framework

The objective of this report is to provide an organizational analysis of NGOs involved in or subject to media policy changes in Egypt. However, this stems from an assumption that such NGOs exist, and that what needs to be done is build their capacities in this area. The research, literature reviewed and interviews conducted have however revealed that the wider framework within which NGOs operate is enabling neither to the creation of NGOs directly addressing these issues, nor to progress in those already trying to address them. While there is scope for change to which NGOs can contribute, progress can only be made within wider contextual and operational frameworks. Recent developments governing the operation of NGOs and the media, coupled with (and resulting from) the national as well as international political environment, have constrained civil society. It is this framework that the report has addressed and delineated. The first section of the report outlines the media environment in Egypt. The second section gives some context to civil society. Following is a typology of Egyptian NGOs, used as a sample to demonstrate the type of activities NGOs are involved in, and how advocacy groups that are or could potentially address issues of media reform fall within wider NGO activities. Egypt's position as one of the most politically influential countries in the Arab world ensures its press a prominent regional standing 1. In fact, the Egyptian press remains one of the leading and most widely read in the region and citizens are generally able to speak their views on a wide range of political and social issues 2 , while opposition papers frequently criticize government officials and policies. However, journalists often censor themselves on sensitive issues, particularly avoiding direct criticism of the president, the army, security forces and human rights abuses. In addition to self-censorship, journalists also operate under several formal restrictions. Although the Egyptian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and speech, in practice there is a significant censorship problem 3. Indeed, the media in Egypt are strictly regulated by a combination of structural arrangements, whereby the government monopolizes the press and broadcasting and legal controls prevent journalists from reporting freely on sensitive domestic issues or deviating from official foreign policy when reporting on international affairs 4. 4 Constitution The current Constitution was adopted in 1971 and contains several sections supporting freedom of expression and forbidding censorship of the press. Pursuant Article …