Egypt launches English blog to tackle ‘inaccurate foreign media reports’

PanARMENIAN.Net - Egypt has launched a new English blog to “enhance its communication with the world” and to address “inaccurate” reports about the country in foreign media, according to the Guardian.

Launched this week under the name Egypt MFA Blog: Egypt Connects, the blog aims to create an “informal platform” for those interested in the country’s foreign policy, according to Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. He said it would allow officials, diplomats, scholars, academics, writers and thinkers to exchange opinions.

Another of its functions will be to correct alleged misconceptions about the situation in Egypt to the international community, Shoukry said.

“It provides a tool to supplement formal channels of information and to circumvent the labyrinthine editorial policies of the mainstream international media. The aim is to provide a more objective narrative of events in Egypt for those who seek more than just the partial truth,” Shoukry wrote in welcome note on the blog.

Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zeid took a harsher tone in a statement in Arabic, saying the website comes amid “smear media campaigns adopted by some foreign media outlets regarding political, economic and security issues in Egypt.”

The ministry could be referring to recent CNN coverage of the abduction of a Croatian hostage by the Islamic State affiliate in Egypt, Province of Sinai. In a recent statement, the ministry slammed CNN’s coverage.

“The report spoke of the spread of chaos and terrorism and the absence of the state’s power in Egypt in a way that is extremely sarcastic, and which is far removed from objectivity, professionalism and honesty,” the ministry said.