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When Myth Becomes Reality: The Discursive Construction of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt
Abstract
This paper explores some of the media and political discourses that provided the necessary ammunition for anti-Muslim Brotherhood repression in Egypt. The paper argues that foundational myths propagated about Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brothers, from which Morsi hailed, were adopted wholesale by privately owned media outlets, likely leading many Egyptians to view the group with considerable suspicion. Dominant discourses addressed here include the Brotherhood’s alleged disloyalty to Egypt and their anti-revolutionary nature. Arguably, a lack of professionalism among Egyptian news outlets may have contributed to the discursive campaign against the Brotherhood. Many private news owners, many of whom were sympathetic to Egypt’s ancien regime, enthusiastically embraced anti-Brotherhood politicians and analysts, and news professionals uncritically adopted anti-Brotherhood narratives. Unsurprisingly given Egypt’s lack of professional journalism standards, little attempt was given to provide balance or critical voice. Importantly, a relative explosion of media freedom following the anti-Mubarak uprising facilitated the coverage, which was often hysterical and could, in most cases, proceed without fear of substantive consequences for news owners, editors, and journalists.
Discipline
Media Arts
Geographic Area
Egypt
Sub Area
None