Egypt seeks to enhance international image by using English blog

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry of Affairs has set up an English blog to counter reports in the international media that are critical or allegedly misconstrue the actions of the country’s government.

The blog, under the name of Egypt MFA Blog with the slogan “Egypt connects”, says that it serves as an interactive platform and encourages scholars, academics, diplomats and officials to discuss Egypt’s foreign policies and its regional role.

The welcome note on the blog, written for foreign minister Sameh Shoukry, refers to garnering more interaction with the wider public and to “accurately represent economic, political and social developments in Egypt.”

“The aim is to provide a more objective narrative of events in Egypt for those who seek more than just the partial truth,” Shoukry wrote.

On its Arabic website, the foreign ministry spokesperson Ahmad Abu Zeid said the blog’s objective was to present a correct image of Egypt “in light of the growing media smear campaigns adopted by some western media on the political, economic and security situation” in the country.

Egypt has recently lambasted media outlets for calling out its lack of control over the security situation, after an Islamic State affiliated group kidnapped and beheaded a Croatian hostage in the Sinai Peninsula earlier this month.

The Middle East Eye website has been decried by Egyptian authorities as supporting terrorists with the aim of undermining Egypt’s reputation and world status. The statement against MEE was issued from the Iftaa Observatory after a report published on the MEE website referred to the economic losses that Egypt’s foreign investments were set to incur following the grisly murder of a Croatian at the hands of a hardline militant group.

“The report, which described the Egyptian economy as a weak economy, is aimed at causing confusion and discouraging foreign investors from investing inside Egypt,” said the Observatory for Anomalous and Takfiri Fatwas.

The CNN was also attacked by the foreign ministry for its report on the Croatian hostage victim, which Abu Zeid said was incorrect, lacked basic objectivity, and was rife with misleading information.