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Today's CLIC alert is an article by Jonathan Kay, managing editor for Comment at the National Post, and a fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Mr. Kay examines the reason why Egypt's display of democracy (something the world has been hoping for) was second class news in Canada and around the world.
'Egypt's Presidential Debate Was a Historic Triumph for Democracy. So Why Did We Ignore It?'
On Thursday night, the first televised presidential debate ever, was held in the Arab world. For four-and-a-half hours, former Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, and self-described Islamist moderate Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh debated on sensitive issues involving the role of Islam in public life, the infamous "virginity tests" performed by security forces, and even the candidates' own personal finances.
 | Egyptian presidential hopefuls Amr Moussa, right, and Abdel Moneim Abol Fotouh shake hands before a televised debate in Cairo on Thursday.
Almasry Alyoum/Reuters |
So why was this historic news relegated to 'back-page' news? The first reason Mr. Kay reasons, is that political developments in Egypt since Hosni Mubarak's ouster have been complex, and often marred by violence and the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood has been increasingly muddled. Hence, many Westerners simply lost interest.
The other reason that Jonathan Kay gives for media's indifference to this historic debate is Israel - 'the lens through which much Western news coverage of the Middle East is framed'. Recent events in Egypt suggest suggest a swing toward anti-Israeli militancy, suggesting that radical Islam has already taken over. If that is the case, then it doesn't matter much who actually wins the election.
Today's CLIC adds:
This is the second day in a row that the 'Comments' posted at the bottom of the article have been fair and unbiased. Is a trend beginning? 'Wouldn't it be lovely!'
To read the article by Jonathan Kay,
please CLIC here:
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