Digital threats for the Egyptian journalists and their awareness of the techniques used to attain their safety : a qualitative study

Abstract EN

The online connection became one of the main features of our life today, whether between people or in the media sector.

As the online connection yielded many benefits, it also caused different undesirable effects on people, media, and journalists.

In Egypt, there are many problems in the media sector which are related - to a great extent - to the online connection and its uses and consequences on journalists’ safety, media credibility, and professional practices, so these threats or problems can be considered as a tax or cost of the digital age and increased online connection.

Based on in-depth interviews with 60 journalists from the different Egyptian newspapers and news sites (partisan, state-owned and private), and focus groups discussions with the journalists, the study will present a comprehensive overview about the actual digital dangers and challenges which Egyptian journalists face because of their journalistic work, seeking to clarify to what extent Egyptian journalists have awareness about all kinds of digital dangers and its undesirable consequences on their professional practices and their safety.

Moreover, how do they combat these dangers in terms? The study investigates the legal framework, which regulates digital media and online communication in Egypt.