24 - 30 September 1998
Issue No.396
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 24 - 30 September 1998 Issue No.396 |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
Justice is served
After a long, fierce battle fought on the pages of newspapers and in courtrooms between former Minister of Interior Hassan El-Alfi and several journalists from the opposition newspaper Al-Shaab, a peaceful resolution has been reached. Credit is due to the good offices of the attorney-general. The reconciliation put an end to the bitter disagreement over the role of the press and the public's right to information, as well as state officials' right to reply, explain and defend themselves. It has been implicitly understood that both parties to potential conflicts must act in good faith, keeping the public interest in mind.
After a number of attempts at reconciliation which failed due to the entrenchment of positions, further pressure was exerted to defuse the conflict. Both sides were disregarding the danger of dragging Egyptian society as a whole into the dispute, of disrupting the environment of nascent democracy and freedom, and of undermining efforts to establish respect for boundaries which must not be trespassed. Eventually, a successful conclusion was reached after tensions had simmered for two years, creating a difficult situation for the press, drawing ever larger numbers of journalists into the dispute, and leading to the incarceration of honest journalists such as Gamal Fahmi, who is till paying the price of this colossal misunderstanding. We may draw many profound lessons from this experience. We all share the responsibility for building this nation. No minister or officer is infallible or exempted from accountability before the public, regardless of rank or responsibility. Journalists, and writers, on the other hand, are often too quick to publish news which may be incomplete and liable of damaging someone's reputation. Transparency and the right to access and disseminate information, however, remain crucial components of freedom of opinion and expression in our country. We should not allow this opportunity for reconciliation to pass without highlighting the need to modify the Press Law. Clauses providing for the detainment of journalists found guilty of slander or defamation should be replaced by others providing for the payment of fines and indemnities. In disputes where truth and falsity seem blurred to our eyes, it is up to the courts to ensure that justice is served. Justice, therefore, cannot be manipulated; it must remain far removed from the influence of politics and politicians. |