'You can't arrest a virus': The freedom of expression crisis within Egypt's response to COVID-19. (1st June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cosentino, Gabriele
• Is Part Of: Journal of African media studies. Volume 13:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 220
• Publication Date: 2021-06-01
• Subjects: Mass media -- Africa -- Periodicals; Communication -- Africa -- Periodicals; Africa -- Social life and customs -- Periodicals; 302.23096
• DOI: 10.1386/jams_00044_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-199X

Abstract

The article discusses the freedom of expression crisis that characterized the authoritarian response of the Egyptian government to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the case study of the expulsion of the foreign correspondent for The Guardian over contested outbreak data, the article argues that authorities in Egypt exploited the pandemic for political ends by silencing critics and by manipulating the public opinion.