The Initial Form of Media in the Egypt Election - Case Study Example

Name Professor’s Name Course Code Date Case study analysis – Egyptian Presidential Election Introduction There is standing competition among the media forms that are currently present. Both the traditional media forms and new media forms are in search of popularity among the audience. In this case study, traditional media is represented by the traditional newspapers while new media is marked by online newspapers and the advent of social media form, Twitter. The number of people who have been identified to rely on either form of media has been recorded, and the results have revealed that more people tend to rely on the new media as the most effective channel through which they can receive news and give their comments on matters they consider of great concern to them. This case study directs its focus on the manner in which the presidential general elections were carried out in Egypt, and analyses the response of various media to the election exercise, with close attention to the effect of each media from to the Kuwait republic citizens. Case study The case study section basically looks at the response of each media forms in Kuwait that reported the proceedings and results of the Egyptian elections. Alan (1991) &Teun (1990) argue that understanding the language used in media is a key step to analyzing reports given by media forms. Kuwaiti traditional newspapers, online newspapers and Twitter accounts gave different coverage and news with regard to the elections. The case study section thus at the end draws an informed comparison of the three forms of media and their objectivity in coverage of the Egyptian elections. The case study covers the electoral activities from 22nd May to 30th of the same month, in the year 2014. Response of Kuwaiti official traditional newspapers 1. Al-seyassahnewspapers The newspapers can be an effective sourse of qualitative data (Stake, 2003). This paper reported up to a total of 26 items of news, with 7 opinion columns dealing with the elections held in Egypt. In this particular paper, it was apparent that a majority of the items published were in positive and in support of the electoral process. According to Miles & Huberman (1994), conclusions can be inferred from thetitles, which however were not truthful accounts of the process. The first title under scrutiny revealed that the Prime Minister of Egypt did say that the government of Egypt was committed to ensuring that the elections were neutral, transparent and fair. The title further said that Adli Mansour who was the provisional president had voted and emphasized on the development future of the state. Another title revealed that the participation of voters in the election on the second day was overwhelming, and pointers showed that Al-Sisi would most likely clinch the presidency, though under tough competition from Sabahi. According to the newspaper, foreign organizations and Arab world had commended the election process, and finally Egypt was celebrating Marshal Al-Sisi’s victory in the Egyptian presidential election. 2. Alwatan newspaper With 28 news items, Alwatan newspaper had 10 columns of reader opinion. This newspaper as well only focused on the positive part of the electoral process, and it was generally in praise of the election. Instances of the support of the newspaper for the election were revealed in its selected titles. Firstly, the newspaper did report that the turnout of Egyptian voters hit the tally of millions who had come out to vote for their new president. Another title claimed that the atmosphere was festive and the security of the voters was guaranteed. The newspaper also reported that Al-Sisi was close to claiming victory to become president while Sabahi’s campaign team had detected instances of election malpractice. Lastly, the newspaper agencies reported that there was uneven voter turnout on the last day of elections, and the \primer \minister had said the results of the elections would greatly impress the world. As per the observers, the elections were conducted in a pure manner. It is apparent that the Kuwaiti traditional papers were in total support of Al-Sisi. The Field Marshal had toppled the regime of the Muslim Brotherhood. In real essence, the papers were not dedicated to achieving neutrality of the elections as they fail to report on the claims of irregularities as held by Sabihi’s campaign team. The newspapers also do not give equal coverage and support to all candidates, as their main concern is support for Al-Sisi, as highlighted by the headlines of the traditional newspapers. Response of selected Kuwaiti twitter accounts The selected Twitter accounts are typical accounts that give attention to the affairs in Egypt and are recognized as having affiliations to the Arab Spring. 1 @DrAlthaidi This account had fifty seven tweets talking about the elections held in Egypt. The majority of tweets by DrAlthaidi were critical of Al-Sisi as a presidential candidate and the election process in general. He too did retweets in an effort to criticize the electoral process and the coverage of the elections by the Kuwaiti press, saying that truth was not adhered to as truth was not published by the newspapers. Cynicism was one of his major strengths. His contribution was marked in the hashtags Scandal_elections_in_Egypt and Egypt_elections in which his active participation was noted throughout the election process in Egypt. His tweeting included concern for the claims that Egyptians had refrained from voting due to high temperature weather conditions, only for them to protest against the election results, as it was carried in propaganda. Supported by photos of demonstrators, this tweet was received differently by his supporters and opponents. He did cite a tweet saying that the elections worked against the Al-Sisi by weakening him and reducing his prestige, with expectations of protests even getting stronger, as hinted by the CNN report claiming the elections were a farce. Another tweet entailed a five hundred pound fine on citizens who did not participate in the elections, as was reported by the Al-hyah TV. The voter turnout also was low since vehicles bearing Egyptian flags were on the streets in an attempt to urge citizens to take part in the voting process in Cairo. 2 @saadal3jmi In this Twitter account, 37 tweets were concerned with the Egyptian elections. The Tweets by @saadal3jmi were, although less sharply, a criticism of the military regimes in totality. He also hinted that the elections were largely boycotted and the elections were weak in general. In #Scandal_elections_in_Egypt, his tweets claimed that his opinion, the military were not effective rulers. Although they have the sole responsibility of providing protection, the right to absolute control over the state is not in their mandate, as safety ought to be their main objective. He also says that Egyptians should not be objects of oppression as they have shown that they attitude and word, as opposed to the untruthful reports given by the media. He also attacks the military in his tweets saying it forcefully demanded a turnout of 40 million voters, and it compelled the journalists to popularize them. 3 @saadbin6iflah This account had a total of 18 tweets talking about the Egyptian elections. Most of his tweets carried criticism on the elections, and some of the traditional papers, with illustrations of the incredibility of the newspapers in Kuwait, with his tweets being a clear indication of his attitude. In #Egyptian_elections_scandal, he says that Financial Times reported on the low voter turnout as the poor members of society did not participate. He shows criticism foe the election process by citing that the elections had two main contenders, Sabihi and Al-Sisi, although Morsi was the winner, and indication that the Egyptians were not contented by the outcome, and they would rather prefer their former president for their leader. He says that there is no need for claims of people to be surprised for the winner and the loser were known before the results were announced. 4 @soudAlsubaiey This account had 27 tweets on Egyptian elections. He critically looks at the elections and compares Al-Sisi to Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president. He presents photos loaded with sarcasm due to the low voter turnout. He notes the election to be fist in which voters are threatened with a 500 pound fine if they do not participate. He criticizes the election rather as the de facto leader legal inauguration. A mockery at the low voter turnout and comparison of Al-Sisi to Bashar. The Egyptians had detected treachery thus saw no need of participating in fraudulent elections. The tweet ironically congratulated Bashar Al-Sisi for extending the voting period and providing more ballot boxes as the crowds of voters longed to cast their votes. 5 @alshaikhmhd With 8 tweets about the Egyptian election, he stands against the rest of the twitter users since he is in support of the elections as he is a liberal writer opposed to the Islamist parties. He likens Al-Sisi to the Korean president, General Park Chung Hee who served in the military. In his tweets, he argues that if the Korean president made his state’s star shine, Al-Sisi could do the same. He is aware that demonstrations against Al-Sisi’s election are inevitable, but Al-Sisi’s softness can only allow them to prosper. In his opinion, Al-Sisi will not allow relationships with Iran as Morsi did, as confirmed by a link to Al-Arabiya TV station comments. 6 @allahim 10 tweets talked of Egyptian election, as @allahim argues for the elections, saying that Islamic and Arab countries ought to side with Egypt. He appreciates the Egyptian people, and says that Al-Sisi was the most appropriate candidate for president. In his idea, the Kuwaiti should not be angry nor interfere with Egyptian affairs, as the latter and Syrians vote. . He finally comments that the election was entirely an Egyptian affair, and the vitality of Egypt will rise with the election of Al-Sisi. Response of online newspapers to Egyptian election 1 Sabr online The newspaper featured 12 items of news and it did focus on neutrality in elections, citing instances from foreign sources as ‘Reuters’. However, some news were a copy of the items appearing in the traditional papers such as Al-Sisi predicted to win, the detection of irregularities in the voting process and rejection of appeal by Sabahi team. 2 Alaan online: Here, the elections received much criticism compared to the Sabr online criticism. This paper focused on the negativity of the elections such as demonstrations by opposition. The titles carried the message of killings of two protestors to bring demonstration to a stop associated with rejection of election results. The international organization revealed that elections in Egypt were carried out under great violations. The human rights watch also commented on the elections citing that restraint of rights of people politically prevents integrity of Egyptian elections. 3 Kuwait news online The Kuwait news online had eight items, and the paper carried the most objectivity as opposed to the other papers. It did report on criticism of elections as well as siding with the election as the traditional papers. The titles hinted on the media lie that voters were satisfied with the election, as well as Sabihi’s voters not contented with the results. The paper reported the terming of the election as a farce by the West, with projections of Al-Sisi wining with a landslide tally of 93%, while opposition protests for extension of voting period. Analysis section Ramine et al (2014, pp. 663-681) propose that analysis of case studies takes into account various sources of data, each with a varying viewpoint of the case study. The coverage of the elections by the traditional papers was in favour of the election practice and the results. The traditional papers also showed strong support to Al-Sisi, partly as they have to conform to government policies. Fowler, Roger (1991) and Yin (2009) say compulsion due to lack of freedom sees media form argue in agreement with government policies. Such titles as celebrations, praises of the election and neutrality were common across the traditional newspapers. The comments on the traditional newspapers were few and happened to support the elections and Al-Sisi’s victory. The photos posted as well supported the election and results. A bigger part of the users of Twitter showed remorse for the elections. @DrAlthaidi, @saadbin6iflah @saadal3jmi, and @soudAlsubaiey were critical of the elections, and demonstrations, propaganda, scandal, farce and injustice were common themes in their tweets. On the other hand, @allahim and @alshaikhmhdand supported the election, using integrity, congratulations and president Al-Sisi as common themes and words on their accounts. Twitter as well did not carry objectivity, since it was largely an action of taking sides; opposing or supporting. Online newspapers were more objective in their coverage, as they gave accounts of support and opposition in the elections. Common titles and word s included landslide victory by Al-Sisi, violations in elections, protests, boycott and farce. The number of comments was higher as compared to those in the traditional newspapers. The comments on online newspapers were critical of the elections while those on traditional newspapers praised the elections, portraying the true picture of the government of Kuwait, a phenomenon common in developing states where media is compelled to oblige policies of governments (Jensen, & Rodgers, 2001 pp. 235–246). Alaan online newspaper rates as the most objective as it criticizes and supports the election at the same time. Conclusion In summary, the initial form of media in the Egypt election case study is the traditional newspapers which are in total support of the elections and the military action in ensuring security of the state during the election. This form of media however is understood to publish news in line with the views of the Kuwait government. The second media form is marked by the Kuwaiti Twitter accounts which have affiliations to the RAB spring thus find fault in the whole election practice, and rather are in support of the protests and demonstrations as a result of their dissatisfaction with the election results. The third group is represented by the online newspapers which stand as the most objective media form in the coverage of the election process in Egypt. This is the case as these online newspapers have reported on the negative and positive aspects of the elections such as injustice and victory respectively. It should be noted that new media has played a significant role in the media of the Arab world, and an effective platform for airing various ideas that could not be aired by the official media ruled by the governments. Works cited Bell, Alan (1991) the Language of News Media, Oxford, Blackwell Fowler, Roger (1991) Language in the News: Discourse and Ideology in the Press, London, Routledge Jensen, J.L., Rodgers, R., (2001). Cumulating the intellectual gold of case study research. Public Administration Review 61, 235–246. Miles, M.B. and Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage. Stake, R. E., (2003). Case Studies, in: Denzin, N.K. and Lincoln, Y.S., [edt.].Strategies of qualitative inquiry.Sage Publications, London. Tinati, Ramine et al (2014) ‘Big data: Methodological challenges and approaches for sociological analysis’ Sociology, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 663-681 Van Dijk, Teun (1990) News as Discourse, London, Routledge Yin, R.K., (2009). Case study research: Design and methods. SAGE Publications, London. Read More