The Egyptian media deteriorated after the January 25 Revolution since Egypt didn't witnessed the referral of large numbers of journalists to the military trials during Mubarak's term, according to the high-profile journalist, Saeed Shoeib. He added Egyptian media channels and newspapers crossed many red lines that should have not been violated after the revolution. The media is supposed to restore its role after the revolution when the former regime managed to neutralize its role. The media's main role should be revealing the mistakes of the officials, he said in a seminar called ‘Supporting the concept of the civil state,' held in the headquarters of the National Democratic Party. He criticized the Egyptian Ministry of Information's performance of not pursuing the same policy adopted by Mubarak's regime and aimed at impeding the freedom of media. He clarified the laws and pressures imposed on the media haven't changed since Mubarak's resignation. Shoeib demanded turning the media institutions into independent authorities and play their role without pressure. Mai al-Telmesani said the civil state means separating between political authorities from religious institutions. She clarified the role of such institutions should be limited to preaching and worship. She stressed the civil state should not have religious reference since it has civil reference. She added a number of intellectuals believed in the concept of the civil state and who launched an initiative call to implement a civil state after the January 25 Revolution. She added the civil state is based on three main principles; democracy, secularism and diversity. She clarified the principles of the civil state is to ensure religious freedom through the laws drafted to meet the needs of the country so they could be changed to cope with developments. She added it is necessary not to draw red lines aiming to impede rules of the new constitutions, expressing her fears of misusing democracy since most of the public lack political awareness. A media figure, Amany al-Khayat, said religion was used by the former regime as a way to pressure, manipulate and serve the western agenda. She added the coalition between the former regime and the Christian institution did not serve the average Christian citizen. She added the Islamic power did not achieve the interests of ordinary citizens in both humanitarian and civilized sides. She called upon religious institutions to play their role in the Egyptian society. She demands the freedom of speech and social justice, which should be achieved through transparent media.
