Foundation launches an independent election website in Egypt

By Thomson Reuters Foundation

TrustMedia, a Thomson Reuters Foundation’s programme for media development and journalism training around the world, announces the launch of the Aswat Masriya (meaning vote/voices of Egypt) website: www.aswatmasriya.com. This election website in Arabic aims to provide fair, independent and accurate news and information to journalists, voters and the public at large in the run-up to the 2011 and 2012 parliamentary and presidential elections.

“The elections mark a watershed moment in Egypt’s modern history and objective, reliable information is critical to the fledgling democratic process. With Aswat Masriya, Thomson Reuters Foundation is responding to an urgent need for transparent information during this crucial period of transition. Our aim is to provide a completely independent news platform, run by Egyptians for Egyptians, to help voters navigate the electoral process and fully take part in this first democratic election,” explained Monique Villa, Thomson Reuters Foundation CEO.

In addition to news, the website, run by an Egyptian and Arab team of journalists and editors, provides information on all the candidates and their parties; how and where to vote; election laws; and the political debates ahead of the polls. Recognising the role of social media during the Egyptian revolution, Aswat Masriya also has a strong social media element with regular updates, news and comments for followers.

The site will stay active for a year.

"Aswat Masriya is a valuable initiative that will give high value, independent news to the Egyptian people on the forthcoming elections at a crucial time of their history. We hope the Egyptian people will enjoy the website, which is guided by the Reuters Principles of accuracy, independence and freedom from bias, and find it useful", said Michael Stott, Reuters Regional Editor for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

For more impact, the TR Foundation team has already partnered with distinguished local media, including Al-Ahram and Al-Shorouk, to exchange news and information.

The website is a free service and does not accept any kind of advertisement so as to preserve its editorial independence and neutrality. Our team is based in the Reuters Cairo bureau and benefits from the experience of Reuters Editorial and the Reuters Arabic Service.

Journalism training in Egypt

In the effort to promote fair, independent and accurate reporting during the Egyptian elections, Thomson Reuters Foundation is also organising ‘Elections Reporting’ training courses for print and broadcast journalists. Twenty-eight journalists have already been trained and four other courses will happen soon. The training focuses on objective coverage, the role of the media in elections, elements of free and fair elections, election abuses and achieving international reporting standards.

Please have a look at Aswat Masriya here