History of digital journalism in Egypt: Between institutionalism and individualism

This chapter explores the evolution of digital journalism in Egypt, focusing on the emergence and development of online news platforms. The mid-1990s saw Egyptian newspapers transitioning to online formats, with Arab publishers increasingly establishing digital editions. State-owned media, recognizing the potential of ICT, initiated online presence by launching digital versions of their newspapers. Initially, Egyptian digital newspapers merely replicated print content online, struggling with Arabic text display and interactive features. The first phase of digital journalism was characterized by “shovelware,” where print editions were converted into PDFs without exploiting the Internet’s interactive capabilities. The second phase saw minor enhancements, such as adding photo galleries and links, but digital content remained largely an extension of print versions. By the early 2000s, Egyptian news websites began to evolve, creating online-only content and adopting new journalistic forms. Notable developments included the rise of digital-only platforms like Masrawy and the increased use of social media for engagement. The transition to Web 2.0 further transformed media landscapes, emphasizing interactivity and user-generated content. Today, digital journalism encompasses diverse types, from traditional media portals to native online sites and citizen journalism platforms, highlighting a dynamic shift in how news is produced and consumed in Egypt.