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Good journalism tells truths. Good journalists ask tough questions and they don’t quit. They stand up for those who can’t and even when they may not agree with them. In the ongoing debate about the role of bloggers in Egypt, there’s a new wrinkle. The question is how well has it been reported.
Who has done the best reporting? And what does it say about bloggers and reporters in Egypt?
Since his arrest on April 15, a number of bloggers in Egypt and around the Arab world have rallied to the defense of Abdel Monem Mahmoud. He is a blogger and journalist whose blog, Ana Ikhwan (I am a brother), (in English and Arabic) has introduced the Muslim Brotherhood in a unique way.
Bright afternoon sun in Cairo. The newly arrived winds from the desert have calmed, but the hamseen seems on its way. Crossing campus. I am stopped by words on posters for a hip young singer in a chic dark suit. He looks like any stylish young singing star. The posters for an upcoming concert quote from his songs. One says:
“Every day I see the same headline
Crimes committed in the name of the divine
People committing atrocities in his name
They murder and kidnap with no shame
But did he ever teach hatred, violence or bloodshed?
No….Oh no
He taught us about human brotherhood
And against prejudice he firmly stood
He loved children, their hands he’d hold
And taught his followers to respect the old
So, would he allow the murder of an innocent
child?
Oh No”
Sami Yusuf is his name. The words are from one of his cd’s, My Ummah. He is British of Iranian-Azeri origin. For more information about him read the article by Christian Pond, “The Appeal of Sami Yusuf and the Search for Islamic Authenticity,” which appears on the website of Arab Media @ Society, the online journal located at the Adham Center for Electronic Journalism at American University in Cairo. That happens to be where I’m at. The journal was recently launched under a new name, and was formerly known as TBSJournal.
And someone comes in with the latest gossip, latest news, latest whatever. They tell it to you and in seconds it is not only down the street, but around the country and around the Arab world. This is how it goes with blogs in the Arab world. The talk a few days ago was about something that happened in Kuwait. A Bahrani blogger had something interesting to say, and you can find it at Mahmood’s Den, (mahmood.tv) and look under “Goooood Morning Kuwait. Smaller and smaller world.
