Transformations in Egyptian Journalism

Some might argue that writing a book on a specific news ecosystem in a country that is still going through political turmoil could be potentially un-useful or not even correct. Naomi Sakr's book on the challenges characterizing contemporary Egyptian journalism comes to prove these skeptics wrong. Those who argue against the idea of writing on systems subjected to political instability usually stress the fact that, within such realities, actors, dynamics and even institutions are highly instable and fluid. Skeptics claim that such instability has essentially two consequences: it is very hard to have an in-depth and complete analysis of what is happening on the ground and data and information provided could quickly become out of date. The in-depth knowledge Sakr has on the Egyptian media system – in terms of political economy, professional cultures and political implications – made it possible for her to put together a book where the kaleidoscopic reality currently characterizing Egyptian journalism emerges in all its nuances. It is out of any doubt that some of the specific issues addressed in Transformations in Egyptian Journalism might be soon overtaken by the reality on the ground. However, the value of this study should be recognized exactly in its choice to deliberately address a moment of high instability and deep transformations.