29 March - 4 April 2001
Issue No.527
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 29 March - 4 April 2001 Issue No.527 |
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The bottom line
Mahfouz El-Ansari, a hard-nosed journalist who launched his career at the Middle East News Agency (MENA) in 1958, returned 40 years later to fill the top job. He tells Al-Ahram Weekly of his plans to salvage Egypt's sole news agency
He began as a rookie reporter covering foreign policy at the nascent Cairo-based MENA between 1958 and 1969. Posted to Algeria as MENA's regional bureau chief for North Africa until 1974, El-Ansari moved on to head the agency's Paris bureau for the next decade. Upon his return in 1984, El-Ansari was appointed the chief editor of Al-Gumhouriya newspaper. In 1998, his career came full circle and he returned to MENA as chairman, to steer it through the information age.
What does it take for a news agency to excel?
Professional staff. Journalists who are knowledgeable and well-trained; people who understand and utilise the tools technology has provided. That's what we are trying to do [at MENA] by investing in human resources. We are aiming for sustainable education and training for our staff. The transfer of technology isn't just about buying the equipment, but also preparing people to use it. Any news agency must have the facilities, financial resources and staff to do all this. If any one element is missing, it will fall apart.
Like many other media organisations in this part of the world, does MENA suffer from insufficient access to information?
I don't think the notion of lack of information is really true anymore. If a journalist seeks the right angle, he can still make news, even when information is scarce. In this age of globalisation and the information revolution, the amount of hidden information is minimal. I don't think it's a matter of access to information, but rather the inability of a journalist to spot a lead, follow it through, understand it and write it well.
The media isn't just about breaking news. More importantly, news stories are about impacts on society and how many issues are related. Many reporters cannot effectively read into the news because they have become accustomed to being dictated the news.
I believe the pretence of 'lack of information' is a very weak excuse. It's a matter of a journalist's calibre and his pursuit of information. That's what we're trying to do at MENA now.
But as the state news agency, MENA is restricted in its editorial policy and sometimes drags its feet in covering big stories.
You need to pause and verify your information. Of course, if you pause too long -- that's incompetence and unprofessional. At the same time, I must admit, journalists sometimes practise self-censorship and self-imposed isolation. We're trying to change this.
When there is sometimes a delay in covering stories relating to terrorism, or national security, for example, it's because such sensitive security issues need extra discretion. There is a huge amount of disinformation and misinformation about Egypt on these issues, and as a chief editor I cannot take part in a race to jeapordise national security under the pretext of getting the scoop. In every media organisation there is an editorial policy; as chief editor, I draw it, follow it and take responsibility for it.
The bottom line is that the world over, the most important thing today is not just getting the scoop, but also precision and accuracy. A complete news item is what counts, and in order for a wire service to gain credibility it must be very precise and offer sound news.
What is the thing that gives MENA an edge over other news agencies?
The local, or domestic element [of news reporting] can easily grow into something of worldwide interest. Sophisticated local news can compete on the international stage, even if the other players are financially superior.
If you can't compete financially, then you have to excel in what you can do best. Get the scoop if you can, but when you can't, then at least distinguish yourself with an accurate, comprehensive story. A regional agency that does its homework and succeeds in covering its bailiwick can earn a place for itself [internationally].
What is your vision for MENA's role in Egypt and the region?
We don't pretend to cover the world, because we don't have the facilities or finances to do that. But we try to focus on what we can do best: the region. As well as providing internal media exposure, I also believe MENA has a role in Egypt's development -- namely by promoting Egypt abroad with accurate information on socio-economic development, trends, tourism, investment and modernisation at home. We can break up monopolies, improve market competition and assist policy-makers in their work.
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