ALEXANDRIA, Egypt: Journalists and politicians stressed the necessity and importance of the media's role in supporting the modern values of democracy to help pave the way for achieving the objectives of Egypt's January 25 Revolution, including freedom, social justice and equality. At a meeting in Egypt's Mediterranean city of Alexandria called, ‘the role of media in establishing a modern democratic state,' attendees called on Egypt's media to resume its role to increase the political awareness of Egyptians and ensure their participation in building a new Egyptian state. Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Zayed, dean of Cairo University's Faculty of Arts, said the media has the main role in spreading the social values through which a democratic society can be established. He said Egypt's media should work to improve the society and increase public awareness, in addition to correcting wrong political concepts. Zayed warned of religious media, which he said attempts to turn Egypt's middle class to an extremist religious trend. Priest Andre Zaki, general manager of the Coptic Evangelical Authority for Social Services, said building a modern democratic state should be based on inclusive rules. These rules are represented in a constitution, the people, the objectives, and the interests of the state. Zaki added that the media provides the so-called ‘right of contact.' He said the telecom blackout during Egypt's January 25 Revolution contributed to overthrowing the former regime. He said the diversity of media channels plays an important role in breaking the individual model. Political researcher Dr. Amar Ali Hassan said the media is a producer of knowledge. He said the media is the main catalyst of the Arab revolutions. The former regime did not expect to be overthrown by the revolution of modern technology, he added. Hassan said private newspapers and satellite channels opened the door for authors and intellectuals who were prevented from writing in the governmental newspaper or appearing on governmental television. He added that the authors who provoked the public of their bias to the authority contributed to overthrowing the former regime. Hassan said the media abandoned the principles raised during the revolution, such as social justice, and also abandoned its role to increase public awareness and create an approach of thinking and a system of values to cope with the current stage of change. Abdel Azeem Hamad, Editor-in-Chief of state-run Al-Ahram, said the media should convince the public that democracy is a peaceful means to serve the officials and achieve the objectives of the revolution.
