In recent years, the features of a real crisis began to loom on the horizon of the Arab media scene, after repeating the involvement of broadcasters and media figures in drug issues, whether by abuse, trafficking or covering up. The last of these episodes was the shock associated with the name of the media, Sarah Khalifa, followed by a new surprise in the name of Dalia Fouad, whose name was also presented in the context of investigations related to networks promoting narcotic substances inside and outside Egypt. And between what is apparent to the public, and what is circulating on social media platforms, there remains a lot of silence within a media system in which values retreat in front of the power of money, trend, and bright external image.
Sarah Khalifa and Dalia Fouad from the screen to the investigation files
Sarah Khalifa, who was known to the audience as a broadcaster and party organizer, suddenly appeared in the headlines after her name was included in investigations related to the presence of a factory for the manufacture of hashish manufactured in one of the high -end areas in Cairo. Investigations revealed a professional relationship that I had with a number of parties suspected of involvement in the network, especially by organizing concerts of popular singers and controversial personalities.
After that, the name of Dalia Fouad, who was famous as an anchor and actress, but her name was placed in the circle of suspicions because of her appearance in circles related to the trade of narcotic drugs, according to circulating reports, has not yet officially confirmed, but it caused a sensation in the media.
The two cases opened the door to the question: Are these just individual cases? Or is there a profound defect in the media system itself?
Media: From a message to “Show Business”
The media, in its classic definition, is a platform for communicating information and achieving a balance between entertainment and education. But, in its contemporary version, especially in some private channels and digital platforms, it turns into a show scene, where efficiency is measured by the number of followers, not by the message or content.
The shift in the criteria for selecting broadcasters, especially, was a fertile environment for some to slide towards dark paths. The academic background or dialogue skills is no longer a sufficient condition. Rather, it is sufficient to be a “trend”, or is controversial, or related to general relations with celebrities.
In this atmosphere, it becomes natural for the door to open to the exploitation of the media platform for personal or commercial purposes, and it may develop until some programs turn into money laundering facades or pass suspicious activities under the cover of the media and entertainment.
The silence: 5 areas remained in the media system
1. The absence of selection and evaluation criteria
Many satellite channels, especially non -governmental, do not depend on clear criteria for employment. The choice of the anchor may not pass a real evaluation or test, but rather comes from personal relationships or nominations.
2. Hidden relations between the media and businessmen
In many cases, there is a “financial shepherd” or “financier” behind the emergence of a specific broadcaster. This relationship, which may begin in a legal framework, may turn into a cover for illegal influence, and perhaps to transfer suspicious money or services.
3. Test content as an introduction to deviation
Light Show programs, which depend on excitement and appearance without depth, has become an ideal square to market glamorous images, but lack any content, which makes the media “star” on the surface, but without professional protection or moral commitment, and is easily exposed to slipping.
4. Institutional cover -up on scandals
In many cases, the channels are kept secret of the excesses of their announcers for fear of scandals, or to preserve advertising contracts, which leads to the absence of internal accounting, and some continue to engage in relations and behaviors that depart from the professional framework.
5. Some announcers have turned into facades of external relationships
Here is the most dangerous region: where the media becomes a front for commercial, political, or even suspicious activities, through which travel, travel, and communication with parties that have nothing to do with the media field are found in the first place.
Responsibility is distributed over more than one side:
Media channels that turn a blind eye to manipulation and seduce appearances.
The Media Syndicate, which was very absent from the oversight scene.
Government supervisory authorities that must play a greater role in monitoring the professional and behavioral performance of the field workers.
The audience who is sometimes drifted behind “tunes” lacks any content, and gives fame to those who do not deserve it.
Is the solution in laws or in changing culture?
The laws are important, but the crisis is deeper than that. We need to rebuild a professional, awareness -based media culture, and real assessment of competencies. The media is no longer just a “screen”, but rather has a tremendous impact on the minds, and left it open without controls that opens the door to deviations, the first of which will not be the involvement of media in the drug trade, and the last of which will not be the exploitation of platforms for personal or suspicious goals.
Conclusion: Post -shock
The shock associated with names such as Sarah Khalifa and Dalia Fouad should not go unnoticed. It is an invitation to a comprehensive review, not only for people, but for an entire system that has lost a lot of its values.
What we see today is not just individual scandals, but rather symptoms of an institutional and moral imbalance in a media scene that honors the interface over the essence, and rewards the bustle for honesty. It is time to reveal the silence … before the collapse affects the rest of the confidence in this system.
