By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
    Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
    September 27, 2023
    Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
    Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
    September 27, 2023
    UNDP, MBRF launch online learning initiative for Arab countries
    UNDP, MBRF launch online learning initiative for Arab countries
    September 27, 2023
    Egypt Post invests in Roaderz platform to enhance e-commerce, delivery services
    Egypt Post invests in Roaderz platform to enhance e-commerce, delivery services
    September 27, 2023
    GAFI to grant 45 more golden licences to boost investment
    GAFI to grant 45 more golden licences to boost investment
    September 27, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
    Egypt’s Irrigation Minister highlights climate challenges for water sector
    September 27, 2023
    CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
    CCCPA, Senghor University join forces for African peace, development
    September 27, 2023
    Arab League chief urges more funding, investment for food security
    Arab League chief urges more funding, investment for food security
    September 27, 2023
    Egypt denounces Houthi attack on Bahraini forces in Saudi Arabia
    Egypt denounces Houthi attack on Bahraini forces in Saudi Arabia
    September 27, 2023
    vPalestine urges international action to end Israeli occupation, crimes
    Palestine urges international action to end Israeli occupation, crimes
    September 26, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    Microsoft Egypt aims to provide advanced AI models, build solid AI ecosystem: Mirna Arif
    Microsoft Egypt aims to provide advanced AI models, build solid AI ecosystem: Mirna Arif
    September 18, 2023
    I love privacy, and I am not concerned about competition: Yasmine Sabry
    I love privacy, and I am not concerned about competition: Yasmine Sabry
    September 14, 2023
    Sustainability, digital transformation at the heart of our strategy: Heidelberg Materials Egypt
    Sustainability, digital transformation at the heart of our strategy: Heidelberg Materials Egypt
    September 12, 2023
    India welcomes Egypt's BRICS membership: Boosting trade, investment, and access to strategic commodities
    India welcomes Egypt’s BRICS membership: Boosting trade, investment, and access to strategic commodities
    September 11, 2023
    The box office is not a measure of success: Basma Hassan
    The box office is not a measure of success: Basma
    September 6, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: Amr, Esraa and the Travolta Predicament
Share
Notification
Latest News
Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Science
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Science
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Science
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Business
Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
Saudi Public Investment Fund eyes stake in Palm Hills Development
Business
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > Opinion > Amr, Esraa and the Travolta Predicament
Opinion

Amr, Esraa and the Travolta Predicament

Mohamed Fouad
Last updated: 2014/01/05 at 1:37 PM
By Mohamed Fouad 4 Min Read
Share
Dr Mohamed Fouad
SHARE
Dr Mohamed Fouad
Dr Mohamed Fouad

No doubt, current events in Egypt are testing our understanding as well as the practice of the freedom of speech and the concept of liberties at large. Two articles that I have come across in the past 6 months have paid homage to the concept of liberties in two distinct fashions.

Last July, Dr. Amr El Zant has written an interesting article titled, “Rescuing the Egyptian Public Domain”. In this article, Dr. El Zant argues that the only tangible change in Egypt that was brought about by the “continuing revolutionary process” was opening the public domain for more discussions that touched all facets of life in Egypt. These emerging voices have broadened the reach of criticism to touch both incumbents and predecessors. While some of the arguments brought forward in this newly opened public domain were undeniably futile, it is only the continuation of such discussions that will in turn allow the public to digest all offerings and accept it or reject it according to logic and prevailing circumstances. However, the fear that Dr. El Zant has projected at that point is that the current high-octane environment may effectively close the door for such debates and exchanges under a heavy barrage of accusations and name-calling.

This fear expressed by Dr. Amr has indeed started to materialise and manifest itself. We fast-forward to another article written last week by activist Esraa Abdel Fatah titled, “An Unprecedented Crime”. Esraa argued that the flurry of recordings depicting renowned activists and “revolutionaries” which has been recently leaked by the media is a clear violation of the law. Esraa has concluded that what is happening is an act of revenge against all the forces who have participated in the 25 January Revolution.

Now, the interesting mix here is that the current situation provides us with a fascinating predicament. The public domain remains open at an expensive price which is liberties. Here comes the Travolta part. In the 2001 flick “Swordfish”, the villain character Gabriel – played by Travolta – asked Stanley – played by Hugh Jackman : “Here’s a scenario. You have the power to cure all the world’s diseases but the price for this is that you must kill a single innocent child, could you kill that child Stanley?”

In our case, although, I am not certain it will only be a single child who will be killed here, nor am I so sure that we are curing the world’s diseases; however, one thing is clear: the public domain will remain open.

Attempts to silence the press are usually highly unsuccessful. In several countries, there are laws that either exist or are being considered that allow journalists to keep their sources without fear of prosecution. Now whether this extreme freedom of press amounts to an unprecedented crime or as Esraa feared or whether it is being used to publicly shun certain people remains to be seen. However, we must ensure that the public domain remains open. The society is bound to self regulate at some point of time. The public has to learn to discern the truth from the plethora of information that they are being faced with. They must distinguish between attempts to inform and attempts to manipulate. Thomas Jefferson once wrote that: “The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary to keep the waters pure”.

You Might Also Like

Opinion| Switzerland, a reliable partner of Egypt in a changing world

Egypt plans to sell stakes in AlexBank, Vodafone, and other assets by June 2024

Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia resume talks on GERD in Addis Ababa

Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq discuss economic, political cooperation in New York

Egypt, India affirm their strategic partnership, discuss regional issues

TAGGED: Daily News Egypt, DNE, Dr mohamed fouad, Egypt, fear, Media, politics, Press
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
By Mohamed Fouad
Mohamed A. Fouad is a global expert on service quality as well as a political and social activist
Previous Article Nuremberg is valid precedent for Iraq War Trials
Next Article Traitors and the exercise in futility
1 Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad image
Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Genetically engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer
Science
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Earthworms contribute to 6.5% of global grain production, says new research
Science
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Researchers build and test a framework for achieving climate resilience across diverse fisheries
Science
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Egypt to issue new bonds for climate, social goals
Business
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?