Egypt: Journalist Doaa Khalifa accuses one of the presidential aides of threatening and intimidating her
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Egypt: Journalist Doaa Khalifa accuses one of the presidential aides of threatening and intimidating her
September 4, Cairo, Egypt -- Doaa Khalifa of Al-Dostor newspaper posted a video on her Facebook account accusing Colonel Ahmed Shaaban, presidential aide for media of intimidating her over her dissident views. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is disgruntled by the level of oppression of presidential and security apparatuses.
On September 2, Doaa made a live stream on her Facebook account addressing international organizations to support her in the face of Colonel Ahmed Shaaban who appropriated national media to attack and discredit her. Many state-controlled media outlets and writers attacked Doaa upon Colonel Shaaban's instructions. She described him as Egypt’s executive director.
In her video, Doaa explained that colonel Shaaban is using his power to intimidate her although he used to consult her. Al-Ola TV channel aired a coverage name calling Doaa as a disreputable woman.
She elaborated that Shaaban is blackmailing her and trying to intimidate her because of her dissident views and that he is threatening her with detention and fabrication of a lawsuit against her.
Doaa was hoping that the president would do her justice but her calls were not responded to. Hence she is addressing international organizations to help her. She implied that Colonel Shaaban blackmails her in exchange for sexual favors.
The video was removed from her account upon campaigns on Youtube and Facebook targeting her account and the video. It has been removed from several Youtube channels over allegations of infringing copyrights claimed by a pro-state media company. Colonel Ahmed Shaaban is a former colonel of the military intelligence, and currently holds a position in the government as president Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi’s aide for media. He is known in the media scene in Egypt as Egypt’s chief editor.
Doaa is a journalist in Al-Dostor newspaper and was a member of the Tamrood movement during presidential campaign in 2014 and was known for her support to the president. She used to write op-eds in Al-Watan newspaper supporting the state.
CFWIJ is appalled by these practices that contravene not only with laws and press freedom but also with common ethics. These acts by a state representative like Colonel Shaaban in such a high ranking position require a prompt reply and action from the presidency. CFWIJ stands firmly with journalist Doaa and urges the president to take deterrent actions towards such practices. We invite international organizations to join us in supporting Doaa in the face of such an unethical regime.
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The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world, and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
Follow us on Instagram @womeninjournalism and Twitter @CFWIJ. Our website is WomenInJournalism.org and we can be reached at press@womeninjournalism.org
