Al Ahram newspaper is a significant publication established in 1875 by Tekla Brothers – Selim and Beshara, who were Lebanese merchants and moved to Alexandria. Initially, it was a weekly newspaper focusing on non-political news covering economic and social aspects. Later in 1881, it became a daily newspaper with the support of Egypt and Sudan’s Khedive, Ismail Pasha. Although it was supposed to be unbiased, it was monitored by the British until the revolution in 1952. After Gamal Abd El-Naser took over as Egypt's president, many newspapers were nationalized, including Al Ahram. The journalist Mohammed Hassanien Hekal was made the editor-in-chief, and it is still under state authority control.

To make the Al Ahram newspaper more familiar among millennials, it is crucial to understand its background, including media concepts like communication methods, ownership, freedom of expression, watchdog and gatekeeping. The primary function of the media is to connect senders and receivers and share knowledge. Communication can be linear or non-linear, depending on whether feedback and opinions can be shared. Al Ahram mostly follows the linear model, limiting readers' chance to engage in discussions or provide feedback on articles.

Ownership is critical as it reflects the thoughts and opinions of the person or group behind the entity. Al Ahram was an independent publication until nationalization, and it is currently state-owned under the National Press Association control, formed in 2017. In Egypt, freedom of expression seems limited, as the government usually punishes those who criticize officials or the President. Members of the National Press Association are mostly representatives of ministries or governmental associations, presenting a challenging environment for freedom of media. The journalistic environment is unfavourable because journalists fear arrest, as seen when Abd El-Naser Salama, the former editor-in-chief of Al Ahram, was arrested for criticizing Egypt's President Abd EL-Fatah El Sisi.

Finally, watchdog and gatekeeping are essential in maintaining the integrity of information. Watchdog is a term used to describe media's role in scrutinising those in power, ensuring that they are held accountable. Gatekeeping refers to the editorial decision-making process, deciding what news to share with audiences. Al Ahram's watchdog and gatekeeping roles are limited, given that it is state-controlled and under the National Press Association's command.

Al Ahram newspaper is best known for its coverage of crime and law enforcement, often beginning headlines with the word "detecting." However, regardless of media platform, be it print, broadcast, or online, news outlets have the right to publish what they deem fit, with the potential for more details than what ultimately gets published. Still, due to the dominance of government censorship in Egypt, Al Ahram reporters, photographers, and journalists must go through an editorial process to decide which news is appropriate for the public, filtering out content that may harm the state's image or pose security threats, as stipulated under the press and media regulation law, section 4.

While Al Ahram's long history includes supporting Egyptians' fight against British colonialism, it also involves imprisoning its editor-in-chief for expressing opposing views, highlighting the need for a more transparent and unbiased publication. This applies not only to Al Ahram but to all newspapers, where the government should consider media freedom and allow public comments after news stories without compromising public security.

Sources:

1. "Al Ahram." Reporters Without Borders. Retrieved November 14, 2021 from https://egypt.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-ahram/

2. "Law of the Press and Media Regulation and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation No. 180 of 2018." Manshurat. Retrieved November 14, 2021 from https://manshurat.org/node/31481

3. "Law of the Press for the Year 1960." Manshurat. Retrieved November 14, 2021 from https://manshurat.org/node/7435

4. "Al-Ahram." Britannica. Retrieved November 14, 2021 from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Al-Ahram

In an act of terror against freedom of the press, the Egyptian regime has arrested journalist Abdul Nasser Salama. This incident occurred on August 2, 2021, and is a clear violation of human rights. It is unacceptable for a government to silence voices of dissent by imprisoning journalists who are exercising their right to free speech.

In an article republished by Al-Ahram, there is a special feature that remembers the Tekla brothers and their contributions to heritage. This article serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage and honoring those who have made significant contributions towards this goal. It is important to recognize the efforts of those who have worked tirelessly to preserve history for future generations.