[This timeline is part of a series entitled "Free at Last? Charting Egypt's Media Post-Mubarak." Click here to read Part 1.]
DECEMBER
30: One year after the Alexandria church bombing, SCAF releases a statement encouraging Egyptians to work alongside the security forces to protect churches during New Year's celebrations and appeals to the preservation of the country's image abroad as a peaceful and civil.
29: Security forces raid the offices of six NGOs--mostly civil society and human rights organizations--shut them down indefinitely and confiscated equipment and documents to investigate foreign funding. These include the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) led by rights advocate Nasser Amin and US based National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI). Most of these organizations' agendas include advocacy for freedom of expression and media. Long-time Mubarak cabinet member and SCAF's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Fayza Abul Naga is the person tasked with pursuing foreign funded non-profits and has targeted them selectively. Germany summoned its Ambassador to Egypt in protest of the shutting down of German pro-democracy NGO Konrad Adenauer Foundation's offices.The state media coverage of the raid rejoiced in the government's effort to "curb foreign influence in the country" ignoring SCAF's $1.3 billion annual handout from the United States government.
A court acquits all five police officers accused of killing protesters in Sayeda Zeinab neighborhood in Cairo during the demonstrations that toppled Mubarak. Private media show videos of families' anger and sadness in reaction to the ruling, including this widely-circulated Al-Jazeera Mubasher Masr video of a mother crying and lamenting the ruling.
28: To counter state media's pro-SCAF stance, Mosireen (We are insistent) campaign encourages Egyptians who are dismayed by the omission of military's attack on protesters to set up public screenings of the violations in their neighborhoods. Another campaign known as Askar Kazeboon (The military are liars) also began online-to-offline flashmob-style screenings of videos showing SCAF's violations against civilians to dispel state media's lies.
27: Samira Ibrahim, 25 year old, the only one of seven women subjected to “virginity tests” by the military on March 9 to have challenged the military legally won a landmark battle in an Administrative Court. The court’s ruling made the practice tantamount to sexual assault and rendered it illegal in all Egyptian prisons.
.png)
Samira Ibrahim celebrates court ruling against "virginity tests."
Tawfik Okasha, owner of El-Fara’een station, is confronted by protesters while on the parliamentary campaign train in Belqas (Dakahlia governorate) leading to his entourage firing on them and his forced imprisonment by neighborhood families for two hours before he was released.
Extensive coverage on Al-Tahrir TV and ONTV of the health conditions of those injured in the military attacks at the previous week, including Azza, the woman who was beaten during her attempt to help the girl who was stripped in Tahrir.
26: Novelist and activist Alaa Al-Aswany publishes an article strongly critical SCAF in independent paper Almasry Alyoum entitled “Do we refute our eyes to please you?”
Journalist Syndicate holds an event on the occasion of Alaa Abdel Fattah’s release to discuss the Maspero incident and its legal implications.
Alaa Abdul Fattah released following 52 days of military detention.
25: Editor of Al-Tahrir newspaper and show host on Al-Tahrir television writes an editorial entitled “Mubarak’s Military Council” declaring that SCAF is a continuation of Mubarak’s rule and constitute the counter-revolution. Blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah, who was detained on charges relating to the Maspero incident by a military court, was released once his case was before a civilian court. Considered a major success of the “No Military Trials for Civilians” campaign and a indication that extensive media coverage and pressure bears fruit with the otherwise intransigent SCAF. A major public relations and media blow for the military and its position on Maspero violence generally and the case against Abdel Fattah specifically. Extensive coverage of his release on private networks (such as this full interview with him on Yousri Fouda’s ONTV show “Akher Kalam” broadcast the following day).
SCAF loyalists intimidate the staff of independent newspaper Al-Fagr, edited by Adel Hammouda, who threatened to break in if the publication’s tone against military rule continues.
Facebook page for Tawfik Okasha’s show on El-Fara’een station is hacked by activist and turned into a parody page.
Photo from the hacked page of pro-SCAF candidate Tawfik Okasha and owner of El-Fara'een satellite network.
23: Tawfik Okasha of El-Fara’een channel is carried aloft at Abbasiya Square by pro-SCAF protesters and his channel adopts a hostile stance towards Tahrir Square demonstrators. In one widely circulated clip, a writer calls in on the show and says that “Field Marshal Tantawi’s shoe is more important than everyone.”
.jpg)
State channel Nile TV covering Tahrir and Abbaseya protests zooms in on the latter to suggest comparable turnouts.
Independent newspaper El-Shorouk (owned by Ibrahim El-Moalem) posts a video on its website arguing that the “third party” (whom the military accuses of all the violence committed) is actually rumors.
23: A highly polarizing day, two protests were called for this Friday including “Regaining Honor” in Tahrir which calls for an end to military rule and trial of all those responsible for deaths of protesters, another in Abbasiya Square under the name “No to Vandalism” supporting SCAF. The sizeable protest in Tahrir was covered live on most private networks and Al-Jazeera Mubashir (Live Egypt) where the most common chant is “The people demand the execution of the Field Marshal.” One of the chants from Tahrir is a taunt at state television asking them to learn from Al-Jazeera. The smaller (5,000-strong) rally in support of SCAF featured nationalistic songs and compositions in praise of the military played on loudspeakers and included chants like “Elbaradei you traitor, get your dogs out of Tahrir.” One of the large banners displayed at the protest demanded the execution of several private talk show hosts, such as Mahmoud Saad of Al-Tahrir TV and some non-state journalists reported being attacked by protesters. One of the chants from this march was “From Egypt’s women to Ghada (the name of the girl who was famously stripped and beaten in Tahrir), the best you deserve is the boot.”
22: Private networks run story of graduate instructor, Hend Badawy who was beaten by the military and was visited in the hospital by Field Marshal Tantawi who she reprimanded and kicked out of her hospital room. She is being charged with vandalism and incitement against the military. El-Fara’een network calls for participation in an anti-Tahrir pro-stability and pro-SCAF protest the following day in Abbasiya Square. Anchor says she will kiss people’s heads and hands to come out to the protest to protect their country.
22: Rose El-Yousef reports that the CIA is trying to overthrow the government in Egypt with collaboration from Israel and Iran. Gen Kato gives interview to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat where he claims the Geneva Convention allows the military to use weapons and fire on protesters. He adds that the military is being patient and should use more violence to deal with protesters who are “vandals.” Three days prior, he gave an interview to independent newspaper El-Shorouk claiming that protesters are delinquents who deserve no sympathy who deserve to be thrown into Hitler’s ovens.
Carlos Latuff cartoon depicting Gen. Kato's comment to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper.
21: Generals go on air to explain the military’s position and are rarely challenged, except on this rare occasion when Dina Abdelrahman from Al-Tahrir television stands up to her guest and shows evidence on air to refute SCAF’s story.
21: Rights groups condemn Egyptian state television coverage of the military attack on protesters. A rare critical perspective on Egyptian state television but confined to English language network Nile International with far smaller viewer base. Former Minister of Health under Essam Sharaf says SCAF ordered the attack on Mohammed Mahmoud St in November, in an interview with Youm7.
21: SCAF, government, and some Islamist movements participate in a media campaign to discredit Revolutionary Socialists using an online video where member Sameh Naguib called for the “toppling of the state.” The group responded with a strong statement which circulated widely online and on the private television networks and was supported by other political groups.
Revolutionary Socialists respond to campaign of defamation by SCAF and Islamist political movements.
21: Global uproar and media dissemination of military’s attack on the young woman in Tahrir causes rift in Egyptian media. State media use conspiracy to explain western obsession with women’s rights in Egypt and private media accuse military of scandalizing the country. Comments from Hilary Clinton admonishing SCAF’s conduct result in government intransigence publicly. Foreign Ministry releases a statement calling Clinton’s comments an “interference” in domestic affairs. Some channels like El-Fara’een and El-Naas (predominantly Salafi) argue this incident is being used to usher in a period of increased western imperial interference in domestic Egyptian affairs.
Original video of Al-Noor Salafist party spokesperson Mohammed Nour inciting against the Revolutionary Socialists on Saudi-owned, Cairo-based Islamist network Al-Naas.
20: Large women’s demonstration against military violations, triggered by the photos and video of the now-famous “blue bra girl.” Ten thousand protesters chant against SCAF and military rule in Tahrir. Similar protests in Alexandria. Demonstrations from Ain Shams University and other universities following the death of two students of medicine and engineering during the military’s attack on Tahrir. Extensive coverage on private and regional satellite networks. In response to the women’s protests, SCAF release a statement regretting what happened, affirming their support for the women of Egypt, admitting some mistakes occurred during the “emptying” of Tahrir and vowing to punish soldiers responsible for the violation.
Media coverage of photographs and videos showing the stripping and beating of a young woman in Tahrir triggers large women's protests in Cairo and Alexandria.
19: More than ten deaths in the early hours of Monday morning. The military holds a large press conference, during which journalists trying to ask questions are responded to aggressively by SCAF member general Adel Emara, who threatens to kick the journalists out. The statement of the military argues that foreign and “invisible hands” are behind the deaths of protesters and accuse them of burning down the Institut d’Egypte. The April 6 Youth Movement challenges these claims using videographic evidence. International media cover the local and social media battle over the story. Photographs and video of the girl being stripped and beaten by military circulate widely in the international press, prompting outrage. In the meantime, the Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate released a statement exposing and condemning state violence against the media and journalists.
18: The Journalists Syndicate, a body that has become increasingly empowered to speak against the government since Mubarak’s fall, convene a session that holds SCAF responsible for the attacks and deaths from the Cabinet protest. While State television blames the protesters for the violence, private networks show evidence of the military attacks on civilians and host criticism of SCAF. State media presenters who challenge the military’s position on the violence are punished, including Ziad Ali, morning radio show presenter, who has his live show cancelled for reading an article critical of the military. Another presenter, Nermeen El-Banby, is also fired for similar reasons and is being investigated for incitement against the armed forces.
17: Military imposes a media blackout as they attack Tahrir. On account of reporter Rawya Rageh, plainclothed soldiers enter hotel where Al-Jazeera English is shooting, in search of camera equipment. They attack and beat a woman at the entrance and proceed to throw the satellite, dish, camera, and other materials out of the room balcony.
17: Al-Ahram publishes false quote from Sheikh Emad Effat, a prominent member of Al-Azhar’s Dar El-Iftaa Authority, who was killed by live ammunition from military attacks on the Occupy Cabinet protest. He is described as having said he had no affiliation with the protesters there. His wife released a statement insisting he supported the Occupy Cabinet movement, was committed to the revolution, and had visited the sit-in often. Other private networks like CBC host the Grand Mufti to talk about the killing of Sheikh Emad Effat; he cries on air.
17: Joseph Mayton, editor-in-Chief of Bikyamasr, an English-language independent online publication, is detained, questioned, and beaten by military while trying to cover the violence. A furious Amr Adeeb on Al-Youm channel challenges SCAF and the government to bring to justice those responsible for the deaths and accuses the military of interfering in the operations of the media.
17: During clashes between the military and protesters, the irreplaceable repository of historical archives, Institut d’Egypte, is struck by a Molotov cocktail and catches fire. State media accuse the protesters of deliberately igniting the fire and destroying national treasures and claim the armed forces were trying to rescue documents. On the other hand, the private media, such as ONTV, report that protesters blamed the military for the violence that caused the fire and show scenes and interviews with protesters trying to rescue books and documents from building. Al-Badil independent newspaper counters the SCAF and state media with videos showing military and thugs attacking protesters from atop the Institut d’Egypte building and protesters trying to put out the fire.
16: Army kidnaps and brutalizes protester and Ultras Ahlawy member “Aboudy,” who was protesting at a sit-in by the Cabinet building. Military forcefully ends sit-in; number of deaths reported with evidence of live ammunition used by troops against protesters. Videos circulate widely showing military personnel throwing rocks, plates, and ceramic pieces from atop the Cabinet building onto protesters below. One of those killed is a councilman in Dar El-Ifta’a (the highest authority on Islamic edicts) and a fifth year medical student who had volunteered in Tahrir’s field hospital. Some of those attacked include a recently-elected parliamentarian. State television parrots SCAF’s statement that violence was committed by protestersand that no live ammunition was deployed. The day also includes attacks on journalists, such as an editor with Elbadil newspaper. Videos like this one aired on Egyptian state television show confrontations between protesters and military from one side, thereby avoiding any incrimination of the military.
Young protester, "Aboudy," whose beating by security forces and testimony were the initial spark of the violence at the Cabinet Occupy.
7: Appointment of a new Minister of Information, Ahmed Anis, from the military ranks. Anis is a close associate of the last minister under Mubarak, Anas El-Fikky.
NOVEMBER
24: As the Ministry of Information continues to deny any use of rubber bullets or any other shotguns in disbanding the protests in Tahrir, Al-Ahram clearly crops a widely circulating photo online, which incriminates police by showing them using ammunition against protesters.
24: Almasry Alyoum’s English language print edition, Egypt Independent, was launched only to be prevented from publishing their second issue by their Arabic language parent paper. Editor of Arabic edition Magdy El-Galad argued in an op-ed piece that a column by US-based scholar Robert Springborg criticizing SCAF was problematic and unacceptable.
22: SCAF Head Tantawi delivers a speech to the public following major battles in Tahrir between police and protesters where he accepts the resignation of Essam Sharaf’s government and appoints Kamal Ganzouri as new Prime Minister, criticizes protesters for creating tension between the people and the military and highlights burdens of the SCAF and the armed forces in managing the transition. He announced an end to military trials of civilians and implied a possible referendum on whether SCAF should remain in power.
19: Police and military attack a sit-in of protesters injured in the early stages of the revolution in January/February. Street battles near Tahrir on Mohammed Mahmoud Street, now known as “Eyes of Martyrs Street,” lead to the deaths of dozens and injury of thousands. Protests in Tahrir for the following week bring out hundreds of thousands demanding an end to military rule and SCAF stepping down. State media once again fail to deliver the story accurately, compared to the private networks.
Almasry Alyoum cameraman who was shot in the eye while filming police attacks on protesters on Mohammed Mahmoud Street. Image from onislam.com.
18: Protest in Tahrir against document of constitution principles that gives military immunity and extra-constitutional powers. Widely covered in the private media.
OCTOBER
31: Armed forces inaugurate the tallest flag tower in the world (176 meters) at a ceremony featuring a ceremonial statement by SCAF member Gen. Fangary on the occasion of Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi’s birthday. Musical acts, speeches and flag raising session all broadcast on state television and largely ignored by private networks. Social media discussion about was primarily criticism, ridicule and parody.
22: Yosri Fouda, host of ONTV show, suspends his program following pressure from the military, ahead of a show planned to discuss SCAF’s conduct during the interview with El-Shazly and Eissa a few days prior.
19: Mona El-Shazly of Dream TV and Ibrahim Eissa of Al-Tahrir TV and newspaper host a landmark hour and a half interview with two members of SCAF, Major General Muhammad Al-Assar and Major General Mahmoud Hijazi. The two officials are subjected to the most trying and confrontational questions since the council took over after Mubarak’s departure.
Two SCAF members give an interview to Mona El-Shazly and Ibrahim Eissa about the Maspero massacre.
12: SCAF holds a press conference on the violence at Maspero (broadcast on State channel Nile TV) in which they show edited footage that incriminates the Coptic protesters, and accuses them of attacking and violating the military. The military is claimed to have acted only in self-defense and was said to not be armed with ammunition. Widely circulated videos of protesters being run over by armored vehicles are not shown here, and are replaced with unconvincing footage of military vehicles swerving around protesters, claiming the drivers were stressed, nervous, and afraid of being ambushed by Christian protesters. Private networks show a different story altogether, and the attack on state television reaches a crescendo. Bilal Fadl of Al-Tahrir TV shows a long and unedited clip of the entire showdown at Maspero that dismisses state television’s claims. International media highlight state media blunders.
SCAF member General Etman in a press conference praising state television for their coverage of Maspero attacks. Image from Ahram Online.
9: A predominantly Coptic Christian protest demanding equality and action by SCAF against a spat of attacks on churches ends in confrontations with the military, which leads to the death of more than twenty-five people, mostly Christians. State television erroneously reports that Christian protesters tried to storm the television building and were the first to violently attack the military, supposedly causing numerous deaths in the ranks of the soldiers.
4: SCAF appoints military censor over Egyptian press. Several prominent columnists in the country leave their columns empty as an act of protest at the move.
Empty Columns in protest of appointment of military censor for the press.
2: SCAF Head Tantawi in a seemingly impromptu commentary about the state of the country where he asserts no orders were given to the military shoot protesters, thereby refuting his council’s commonly stated position as those who protected and guarded the revolution.
SEPTEMBER
26: Egyptian state television shows the head of SCAF, Field Marshal Tantawi, taking a stroll in downtown Cairo dressed in civilian attire and without security. One of the presenters asserts his popularity and prestige among Egyptians and argues he is qualified to be president. The station claims the video was unscripted and captured using a phone camera.
24: Under a complete media blackout, SCAF Head Tantawi testifies in the case of Mubarak and the attack on protesters. He fails to offer conclusive evidence of the former president’s orders and the testimony is done under a complete media blackout.
9: Protesters in front of the Israeli embassy breach a wall built by the military and enter Embassy offices, throwing documents out of the window. This follows weeks of demonstrations at the site, after an Israeli attack in Sinai killed six Egyptian soldiers. On the same evening, the military intimidate several stations, including Al-Jazeera Mubashir Misr, whose office was raided, leading to the shut down of the network’s operations in Egypt. US-government funded network Al-Hurra also had military personnel storm their set while on air.
AUGUST
15: Judge decides Mubarak trial will no longer be televised.
14: Prominent online activist Asmaa Mahfouz arrested and faces military trial for criticizing SCAF in a tweet and for opposing the military trials of civilians. Four days later, she is cleared in a public statement by SCAF due to significant public pressure.
5: Military police violently break up an activist Iftar (breaking of the fast dinner) in Tahrir on the fifth day of Ramadan.
3: Commencement of historic trial of Hosni Mubarak, his sons Gamal and Alaa, the former Minister of Interior, and other members of his government, on charges varying from giving orders to kill protesters, to corruption and embezzlement. Televised on state channels, virtually all private satellite networks, and the most regional stations.
1: On the first day of Ramadan, military and police forcibly break up weeks-long Tahrir sit-in.
JULY
29: Large protest in Tahrir dominated by Islamist groups demanding trials for Mubarak regime figures and calling for an Islamic state in Egypt.
24: Host on Dream TV Dina Abdelrahman is criticized on air by military General Abdelmonem Kato for reading an article challenging SCAF’s conduct during Al-Abbassiya incident. Following their volatile exchange, her station fires her. She later accepts a position with Al-Tahrir TV.
23: On the anniversary of the 1952 coup d’état that dethroned King Farouk and installed military rule, protest groups marched on Ministry of Defense to protest the conduct of SCAF during the interim period. They were stopped and cornered by the military and police while being attacked by thugs. This “Al-Abbassiya incident” led to the death of one and injury of hundreds of protesters.
9: After a month of speculation about the future of the Ministry of Information and its possible dissolution, SCAF and the interim government of Essam Sharaf appoint a new minister, Osama Heikal.
8: Protests demanding trial of former regime figures and criticizing military’s conduct.
1: Protests demanding trial of former regime figures and criticizing military’s conduct.
JUNE
29: Clashes occur between the families of the revolution’s “martyrs” and security forces and military at El-Balon (Balloon) theater in Agoza. The violence spills over into Tahrir and tens of injuries occur. Private media are perplexed by the incident, struggle to challenge the military and the state television’s story accusing the protesters of being unruly vandals and baltageya.
19: Rasha Azab, a journalist with independent newspaper Al-Fagr, was summoned to the military prosecutor with editor in chief, Adel Hammouda on accusation of “publishing false information with the potential to cause public disorder” for an article detailing a meeting between SCAF and activists campaigning against the widespread use of military trials against civilians. After a few hours of interrogation, she was released without bail, but she still faces a possible prison sentence or fine.
14: Mohamed Elbaradei’s appearance on state television cancelled. He is re-invited, but cancelation retracted after backlash.
4: Hafez Al-Mirazi resigns from the Board of the Egyptian State Television in protest over military leadership of the new National Council on Media, led by General Tarek El-Mahdi.
MAY
30: Blogger and activist Hossam El-Hamalawy and ONTV presenter Reem Magued summoned to SCAF Headquarters regarding criticism of SCAF expressed on her show.
27: “Second Day of Rage”—nationwide protests demanding end to military trials for civilians, trial for former regime figures, removal of all Mubarakites from offices, and call for draft of constitution before parliamentary election.
16: SCAF Head Tantawi speaks at the graduation ceremony for the Police Academy where he states the military “refused” to fire on Egyptian citizens during the 18 days of protests in January, implies orders were given to attack.
16: UN General Assembly reviews report on freedom of access to information, declaring access to the Internet a human right, in light of government curbs in Egypt on 27 January 2011. (Full report here)
10: First woman presidential hopeful Bouthaina Kamel’s guest appearance on state television taken off air by head of ERTU after she criticized conduct of SCAF.
7: Riot on rumor of Christian convert to Islam being held hostage in church leads to the burning of that church in what would then be known as the “Imbaba incident.” Private and state media cover the story extensively.
3: Media Freedom Declaration released by a large number of civil society organizations, human rights groups, media scholars, and practitioners, calling for the reform of media institutions, laws, and practices in Egypt. It is the inaugural statement of the National Coalition for Media Freedom (NCMF), which will release its report on the state of the Egyptian media post-Mubarak on the one-year anniversary of the January 25 Revolution.
APRIL
10: Mickael Sanad Nabil, a blogger, becomes the first civilian person in Egypt to be sentenced in a military court (for 3 years) for expressing criticism of the military when he published an article entitled “The People and the Military Were Never One Hand!”
8: Major protests demanding removal and trial of former regime figures. Protesters include military officers who appeared in uniform. Sit-in attacked by the military and dissident members of its forces arrested and sentenced to jail terms. The April 8 Free Officers movement created to commemorate this day.
1: Major protests demanding trial of former regime figures.
MARCH
23: Law criminalizing protests, strikes, and sit-ins that disrupt public and private sector institutions, with organizers facing jail time and up to half a million Egypt pounds in fines.
19: Referendum to amend the constitution. Drafted by SCAF-appointed committee. Amendments accepted by seventy-seven percent of voters. SCAF later releases a constitutional declaration that annuls some of the referendum amendments and describes the vote as one that endorses interim SCAF rule over Egypt.
9: Tahrir Square forcibly emptied by the military. Wide violations by military including “virginity tests” conducted on women protesters and the torture of activists on the grounds of the Egyptian Museum. Ignored by the state media and covered extensively by the private networks and international media, to the chagrin of military officials.
5-6: Protesters raid several headquarters of the much-despised State Security (Amn El-Dawla) and retrieve classified documents illustrating violations by the Mubarak regime, from vote rigging to surveillance, torture, etc. This becomes fodder for the social media and television networks. Citizen journalists distribute the content widely online in what is now known as “Amn El-Dawla Leaks.”
3: Church burnt in Atfeeh village in Sol. Sectarian violence ensues and massive Christian protests lead to a lengthy sit-in at the Egyptian Radio and Television building (commonly referred to as “Maspero”). Sit-in disbanded when the military agrees to rebuild the church. Coptic protest movement created to advocate for Christian rights within the revolution and is named Maspero Youth Coalition after the Egyptian state media.
2: Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik is challenged in a televised ONTV talk show in a heated exchange with novelist and critic Alaa Al-Aswany. He resigns the following day and is replaced by Essam Sharaf.
FEBRUARY
11: Mubarak steps down in a televised statement delivered by then-Vice President Omar Suleiman.
7: Wael Ghonim, primary administrator of the “We Are All Khaled Said” page, gives a dramatic and impassioned interview on Dream TV’s talk-show “10 PM” after being released after eleven days in custody.
Wael Ghonim cries on Dream TV.
2: “Battle of the Camel”—Mubarak supporters (mostly paid) attack protesters on horse- and camel-back; televised globally and now an iconic moment in Egyptian revolution.
JANUARY
30: SCAF Head Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi visits Tahrir during the protests
28: Day of Rage protests. Military deployed. Extensive coverage by transnational satellite networks, especially from western media and private Egyptian stations. State media downplay and undermine protests.
27: Shutdown of all internet (lasted four full days) and mobile technology (twenty-four hours) across the country.
25: First Day of Revolt—coincides with National Police Day. Egyptian television criticizes the protest as vandalism.