Trump-Like Messaging Goes International as MFA Cites CNN “Deplorable” Journalism
In what could be the very first Trump-like tweet emanating from a Middle Eastern government, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson has called CNN news coverage “deplorable.” Yes, the same “deplorable” tag used by Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign to slag Trump supporters. Since Clinton used the term, it has been worn by the aforementioned as a badge of honor.
The recent tweet came from Ahmed Abu Zeid, official spokesperson of the MFA. It references perceived CNN deplorable coverage regarding last weekend’s Sinai mosque attack, which killed more than 300 people. Obviously, Egypt’s political elite are not impressed with CNN’s apparent greater interest about reporter access to the attack site than about the lives of dead worshipers.
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
The MFA tweet comes barely a day after Donald Trump chastised CNN International as “a major source of (Fake) news.” Coincidence or randomly timed event?
.@FoxNews is MUCH more important in the United States than CNN, but outside of the U.S., CNN International is still a major source of (Fake) news, and they represent our Nation to the WORLD very poorly. The outside world does not see the truth from them!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 25, 2017
Given that almost nothing this high-level is done by accident, my first question is “Why”? Why has a member of Egypt’s political elite not just turned on CNN, but used Trump-like messaging to do it? After all, Zeid could have opted for a softer and less hostile tone; messaging not designed with an obvious attempt to disparage.
At first blush, there’s nothing in CNN’s reporting about the attack pointing to an obvious answer. The coverage seems balanced, non-partisan and in context. (Source: “Egypt hunts for killers after mosque attack leaves at least 235 dead,” CNN, November 24, 2017.)
Perhaps, behind the scenes, CNN simply wanted more unfettered access than Egypt would allow. Instead of focusing on the story, CNN brass may have pushed the envelope in frustration. That wouldn’t be surprising, considering Egypt isn’t exactly a bastion of free speech and unrestricted access.
According to Freedom House, an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world, Egypt is ranked “Not Free” in terms of press rights. They say that president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government has enacted a systematic crackdown on dissent and critical news outlets, which has “produced a media environment in which most public and private outlets are firmly supportive of the regime.” (Source: “Freedom of the Press 2017: Egypt Profile,” Freedom House, last accessed November 28, 2017.)
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Quick Facts on the Egyptian Press |
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Population |
93,500,000 |
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Freedom in the World Status |
Not Free |
| Net Freedom Status |
Not Free |
| Internet Penetration Rate |
35.9% |
(Source: Ibid.)
Freedom House also reports that, in December 2016, Egypt created a new media regulatory framework that granted government-dominated supervisory bodies with sweeping new powers over media content and licensing. The new framework only included minimal protections for the press.
CNN Hostile of Trump/al-Sisi Alliance?
While back-room CNN griping could be related to the MFA tweet, perhaps the reason lies elsewhere. Perhaps it has more to do with Egypt’s frustration about CNN’s international coverage, specifically regarding the Trump/al-Sisi alliance.
You may recall that it was al-Sisi who was the first Muslim government figurehead to meet with Trump. You may also recall that the Barack Obama administration kept al-Sisi’s government at arm’s length, suspending a multi-billion-dollar line of credit and not extending an official state visit invitation.
Back in April, CNN penned an article that was highly critical of Egypt’s bilateral visit to the Oval Office.
The article focused on Trump’s soft stance on discussing human rights issues during the visit. But it also went on to highlight Egypt’s poor record on press freedom and “violent crackdown” in 2013, an event that the al-Sisi government has attempted to bury. CNN wrote that President al-Sisi had “limited citizens’ free speech and basic human rights, overseeing the violent crackdown on hundreds of protesters in the streets of Cairo in 2013, and he had become a model for oppression.” (Source: “How Trump is squandering his power with China and Egypt,” CNN, April 4, 2017)
That same day, CNN penned an article titled “Trump’s fawning over a strongman like Sisi is a terrible look,” which is every bit the hit piece that the title suggests it to be. (Source: “Trump’s fawning over a strongman like Sisi is a terrible look,” CNN, April 4, 2017.)
Thus, the friction between CNN and the al-Sisi government seems quite obvious. Clearly, there’s no love lost between them.
My Verdict
In the end, Egypt’s MFA tweet suggests that the Egyptian government is purposely using Trump-style tactics against CNN International. The tweet came a day after Trump also criticized CNN, and the MFA used the term”deplorable,” which is likely no accident. For whatever reason, CNN’s fight just moved from the domestic arena into the international one.
Looks like CNN President Jeff Zucker has another headache to deal with.