In his first exclusive interview, , the new head of the State Information Service, talks to Fatemah Farag about creating a credible media source A cynic would argue that an information service provided by the state could only be an apologist for the government. But according to , who was appointed head of the State Information Service (SIS) early this month, this is not necessarily the case. "[SIS] is a national body within the framework of a pluralistic society. This means that it does not represent just one trend within society, but reflects a national view," Abdel-Alim told Al- Ahram Weekly. The SIS is a state entity meant to provide both media services, and information on Egypt, to the general public and the press. Abdel-Alim comes to the SIS after a long career in the media: he has been a veteran researcher at Al- Ahram's Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, of which he was deputy director; and his weekly TV talk show on Channel One, "The Circle of Debate", is entering its seventh year. Abdel-Alim also participated in the student movement of the early 1970s -- which cost him his first job with Egyptian Radio. He was also a soldier in the 1973 October war. The diverse elements of his career help explain why Abdel-Alim sees his new post as a unique opportunity to take the organisation he now runs beyond the role of mere propaganda. "The SIS is Egypt's window on the world, and the world's window on Egypt -- in this way it compliments the role of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina," he said. Explaining the mandate beyond that cliché, Abdel-Alim said, "In today's world, explaining the Egyptian case is more important than beautifying Egypt's image. Showing that it makes sense and is logical, that there are opportunities and constraints, achievements and problems, being positive yet critical at the same time." Of course, explained Abdel-Alim, a major thrust of this activity is to "correct the image of Egypt in the foreign press, an image that has been distorted by lumping Egypt as part of a homogenised Arab/Islamic world". For Abdel-Alim, the key word is Egypt. "It is the SIS's responsibility to show that Egypt is a specific case. The responsibility of the policy maker today is the Egyptian people. This does not mean that we ignore our regional responsibilities, but at the end of the day Egypt and its national interests come first." The SIS's new boss is keen to highlight his organisation's ability to take on this mandate. "We have 32 offices around the world and these may increase. With more cooperation with Egyptian embassies around the world, as well as Egyptian communities living abroad, not only can we correct the Egyptian image abroad, but also provide Arabs and Egyptians with a correct image of the West." SIS also has a Web site -- which Abdel-Alim has plans to overhaul -- that has already received 280 million hits this year. But material tools are not enough. "The main issue is how to formulate a media strategy that would generate both credibility and influence for Egyptian media," said Abdel-Alim. "These days we enjoy increased freedom of expression, and no one can claim that there are atrocious violations, even within the framework of the Emergency Law. There is even room to criticise the highest authorities. Today, in Egypt, there really are new ideas." Still, according to Abdel-Alim, the time is ripe to forge better media practices -- one of which centres on the need for more balance when the media covers issues such as globalisation and Egypt's economic crisis. "For example, our job is not just to highlight the fears and threats posed by globalisation, but also to point out the opportunities it creates. Our role as media people is to clarify internal problems, whether these are related to economic policy, or the weakness of the private sector. But at the same time, it is also our role to show the achievements that have been made. Structural adjustment has not brought complete success, but it has brought some success." The same dynamic is true when it comes to women's rights, human rights, and political participation -- nothing is above discussion. Abdel-Alim said the idea is to search for the truth -- a particularly difficult task in these turbulent times. "The perspective that binds us should be that of human development and positive interaction." That is one of the reasons why Abdel-Alim does not think it is the Arab media's role to defend terrorism, in which he includes attacks against Israeli civilians. At the same time, "Egyptian public opinion clearly refuses US intervention into our internal affairs under any guise, including that of human rights. The fact that the US would make an issue of the government's clampdown on anti-war activists, while turning a blind eye at the same time to Israel's flagrant and continuous violation of human rights in occupied Palestine is not something we can ignore." But freedom also comes with responsibility. "Who says that a free media should include creating space for those who encourage scandal and extremism?" asked Abdel-Alim. He acquiesced that for such a strategy to fall into place, journalists need to be able to attain accurate information. "This issue has been brought up with the minister of information. Journalists and correspondents have told him that they cannot balance their stories and include official viewpoints if they are not given access to information. The minister has already announced that official spokespersons will be appointed at all key ministries -- namely those dealing with security and economic issues." As for foreign correspondents, Abdel-Alim said the SIS's role was clear. "Our job is that of facilitator. Cairo is an open city, and it is no coincidence that we rank fourth worldwide in terms of numbers of foreign news offices." And when coverage is seen as biased against Egypt, it is the SIS's role to "answer back. When correspondents report things that are incorrect, it is our responsibility to clarify the truth, but not to stop them from working." Next year, the SIS will celebrate its 50th anniversary. "The law that established and organises the service talks about socialism and cooperating with the Arab Socialist Union. Society, of course, has undergone many changes since then, and within the move for legislative reform, I am sure the time will come to amend the law," Abdel-Alim said. However, the current law also provides the organisation's general framework, clearly stating that the goal of the service is to prepare and execute media programmes directed at both local and international public opinion. "To confront the challenges provided by today's world, we need to develop the service, and in some instances, change it dramatically," said Abdel-Alim. Although he is reluctant to discuss the details of his plans, he does admit that the research department will be a focal point for the revamping of SIS's product. The many years Abdel-Alim has spent managing the "Circle of Debate" on TV also obviously provide a framework for his work at SIS. "All my topics were very thoroughly researched. I always made room for all opinions and none of these was ever censored. In the final editing I always made sure all information aired was accurate. Nasty arguments and improper dialogue were always stopped. I insisted on proper dialogue, rather than wailing and gnashing of teeth. And finally, I advocate positive thinking. There is always more than one solution and option in dealing with a problem, and the idea is to provide policy makers with these options."
