Issue is terror, not press, FM tells CNN on Sinai coverage

CAIRO – 27 November 2017: Free press is a “very important institution”, whether Egyptian or international, but the Sinai is an area of military activity and conflict where terrorists target foreign nationals as well as locals, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told CNN Monday.

“The issue is the terrorism, the barbarism and the ideology behind it, which is targeting the intimidation and destabilization of not only of the Sinai, but of Egypt and the region as a whole,” Shoukry said.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zeid had criticized CNN’s coverage of the Friday massacre of 305 civilians in the small town of al-Rawda in North Sinai while performing the Friday congregational prayer.

As usual, deplorable @CNN coverage of Sinai tragedy today. Anchor more interested in reporters access to Sinai than in those who lost their lives !!!

— Egypt MFA Spokesman (@MfaEgypt) November 26, 2017

CNN anchor Christian Amanpour explained to Shoukry that journalists have requested access to Sinai to report from the ground, but have been denied access. The foreign minister emphasized that in such circumstances, the pain of the victims is more worthy of the coverage, to which Amanpour said that CNN is willing to report such civilian suffering.

“The issue is the lives lost, the children that have been lost and how that is impacting not only the society there, but Egypt generally. We are in a state of mourning, and I think we have the right to mourn 305 Egyptians who have lost their lives, and 27 children, and to feel the sympathy and the pain of their fathers and mothers, husbands and wives who have lost their dear ones,” Shoukry added.