BRUSSELS, Belgium: The editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram Online, Hani Shukrallah, said that the media's coverage of the Maspiro incidents Sunday is an example of the credibility dilemma in conventional mass media. Shukrallah's declaration came Monday during his comments in the closing session of the ENJN conference in Brussels. Shukrallah said that what was broadcasted by the mass media was completely untrue and misleading, despite the existence of information that the protests in question were peaceful. Twenty-four protestors were killed, with some of their faces unrecognizable after being run over by army vehicles. He said that the state mass media falsely claimed that the Copts shot the military police forces. Shukrallah said the Minister of Information delivered a speech to justify the disinformation by saying that the announcers were just a little enthusiastic during their coverage of the incidents. The true story was released by new media, he said. "State mass media is criminal and is accused of the death of those innocents." Shukrallah also said that the January 25 Revolution did not erupt suddenly, but is complicated and began in 2005 when the information in the social network sites helped youth to form coalitions. The Guardian's correspondent in Cairo, Jack Schenker said that the last 24 hours in Cairo were painful. He also pointed out the role of the social network sites and its media work. He said that mass media in Egypt did not on touch the poverty problem and is only concerned about elitist and religious problems. He expressed his gratitude for the social networking sites, as they managed to broadcast the image inside Tahrir Square and expose all violations took place.
