Memo

To: Pam O’BrienFrom: Raechelle LandersDate: March 24, 2014Subject: Assignment 6

For my final project, I chose to work for the foreign news bureau established in Cairo, Egypt by the Associated Press (AP). This memo details why I chose to work for the AP in Egypt and how I formatted my report for employees working in Egypt.

I chose to work for the AP’s bureau in Egypt because I enjoy journalism and I would like to work internationally in my professional career. I adopted a position as Assistant News Editor for this project. As Assistant News Editor at the bureau in Cairo, my job includes training the new staff members. New staff members include newly hired interns, writers, reporters, fact-checkers, photographers, and administrative personnel.

This report acts as an introduction for these new staff members by providing background on Egypt and writing samples to demonstrate the best ways to communicate with non-native English speakers. The background section of my report includes sections on demographics, government, history, business practices, culture, etiquette, and the use of English in Egypt. The example documents consist of a press release in international English, a business card, an interview request, and a mobile application.

My report will provide new employees with an improved understanding on how to conduct business in Egypt. It will also give writers a better idea of their topics and the people their writing will impact.

I hope you find my report useful.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reporting in EgyptGuidelines for new staff members of the AP bureau in Cairo, Egypt

Presented by: Raechelle Landers, Assistant News Editor

24 March 2014

Overview

Welcome to the AP news bureau in Cairo, Egypt! This report provides useful information for new bureau staffers to ensure their safe and successful acclimation and business practice in Egypt. This report acts as a set of basic instructions for new members of the Cairo bureau with writing samples included as guidelines.

This report will discuss:

Egypt’s background Egyptian Culture Egyptian Business Practices The use of English in Egypt with four sample documents in international English

Egypt’s Background

Egypt’s long and rich history begins with the fertile lands and delta of the Nile River. While Ancient Egypt is fascinating, this report begins with the formation of modern Egypt.

Britain controlled Egypt from 1822 until 1922 when Egypt gained independence and Fu’ad I became the King of Egypt. Fu’ad’s son and grandson succeeded him on the thrown until the Free Officer’s Movement overthrew the monarchy in the July 23 Revolution of 1952. In June 1953, newly elected president and prime minister of Egypt, Muhammad Najib, declares Egypt a Republic. Egypt’s new constitution was initiated in 1971 and the country is renamed the Arab Republic of Egypt. The flag of Egypt is red, white, and black with a golden emblem in the center, see Figure 1.

Demographics

In Egypt, 99 percent of the population consists of Eastern Hamitic stock or Egyptians, Bedouins, and Berbers. The remaining 1 percent includes Greek, Nubian, Armenian, Italian, and French.

Islam remains the most commonly practiced religion in Egypt with 94 percent of the population being Muslim. The remaining 6 percent consists mainly of Coptic Christians.

Arabic remains the primary written and spoken language in Egypt after almost 13 centuries.

Government

The five-term rule of Husni Mubarak began in 1981 when Jihad members assassinated the previous president, Anwar al-Sadat. Under the repressive rule of Mubarak corruption was widespread and political opposition silenced. Anti-government demonstrations in January 2011 resulted in the end of Mubarak’s presidency. He was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. In 2012, Muhammad Marsi, Islamist Brotherhood candidate, was elected president. After only one

Figure 1 shows the flag of Egypt

year in power, however, the military aided anti-Morsi protesters ousting the president. Chief justice Adly Mahmud Mansour serves as the interim president until the next election.

The most powerful man in Egypt at the moment, Egypt’s army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, will likely dominate the next elections, see Figure 2.

Egyptian Culture and Etiquette

Family Values

Egyptians place significant importance on the family unit. The needs of the family, tribe, or group are superior to those of the individual. Egyptians view nepotism positively because of how much they value family.

Meeting Etiquette

Greetings in Egypt depend on the class and religion of the individual. You should follow the lead of the individual you greet. Usually, Egyptians will shake hands when meeting someone of the same-sex. When in Egypt, keep your handshake light and prolonged, smile and make direct eye contact. Once you have developed a relationship, greetings include kissing on both cheeks while shaking hands. When greeting a woman, she must extend her hand first or a man should bow his head instead of offering his hand.

When invited into an Egyptian’s home remove your shoes before entering. You should compliment the host’s house. Also, you should remember that Egyptians care about appearances so dress well and conservatively.

Dining Etiquette

In Egypt, when invited for a meal wait for the host or hostess to tell you where to sit. Eat only with your right hand. Egyptians consider it a sincere compliment to take second helpings. Do not use salt and always show appreciation for the meal. When finished eating, leave a small amount of food on your plate so that they know not to fill your plate again.

Egyptian Business Practices

In Egypt, business relationships require time and cultivation because they prefer conducting business with people they know and respect. Networking leads to important opportunities in Egyptian business. When meeting someone new in the business world, always accept a beverage if offered. They believe that direct eye contact proves your sincerity and honesty so maintain eye contact. Hierarchy and rank have a significant influence in business so demonstrate deference to the most senior person in the group.

Figure 2 shows Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Minister of Defense and Egypt's military chief.

Egyptians judge based on appearances so always dress well and conservatively. Men should wear dark colored, lightweight business suits and avoid jewelry. Women should wear conservative dresses that cover the knee and sleeves that cover most of the arm.

Egyptians consider appointments necessary so make them in advance and confirm the meeting one week in advance by writing or telephone and again a day or two before meeting. Before beginning the business part of the meeting, ask about the health and family of the individual. During your meeting expect interruptions because Egyptians usually have open meetings. If interrupted wait patiently until the new person concludes their discussion. Prior to the meeting send any necessary documents in both English and Arabic to the attendees.

Business moves slowly in Egypt requiring long-term personal relationships and lengthy deliberations over decisions. Negotiations take a long time because Egyptians don’t like saying ‘no’ but also rarely consider an offer as final. You should always conduct extensive research to support your views but avoid high-pressure tactics.

Print business cards in both English and Arabic and present them so that the recipient can read them. Giving a business card does not require formal ritual. When receiving a business card, study it before placing it in your business card case.

English in Egypt

According to Mark Schaub, author of “English in the Arab Republic of Egypt” published in World Englishes, English plays a major role in Egypt’s universities today. Egyptians associate the English language with better jobs and higher pay because many employers tend to value English skills more than other qualifications. Some employers even require that their employees graduated from the American University in Cairo (AUC).

Tourism, according to Schaub, provides another cause for the growing importance of English in Egypt. Because tourism consists of most of Egypt’s hard-currency revenue, merchants and sellers can increase their profits by communicating with visitors in English. You will find that in locations frequented by tourists English menus are available in addition to Arabic ones.

Schaub also writes that contemporary Egyptian public schools introduce English as a mandatory subject in the seventh through ninth grades. The students may choose whether to learn English as their first or second foreign language. Private schools introduce English much earlier, sometimes during preschool.

While English grows in academia, Arabic remains the most common language spoken daily in Egypt. AP staff members working at the Egypt news bureau will usually use international English to communicate with Egyptians.

The news and media in Egypt flourishes today with almost 30 major newspapers but journalists must remain cautious. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Egypt was the third deadliest country in the world for the press. Six journalists were killed in 2013 in Egypt.

The next section of this report includes writing samples in international English.

International English

The next section includes four documents that demonstrate how you will use international English while at the bureau in Cairo.

Document One: Letter Requesting an Interview

This letter requests an interview with the most powerful man in Egypt. It demonstrates how to use international English in Egypt. In the letter you notice that the writer inquires after the health and welfare of the recipient. You will also notice the Arabic writing at the introduction and conclusion of the letter. It begins with: “Greetings Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. How are you? I hope you and your family are well.” The letter closes with: “Thank you Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. I look forward to meeting you. Sincerely, Raechelle Landers.”

Document Two: Business Card

This business card has two sides, one side for English speakers and one side for Arabic speakers. When presenting your card to Egyptians, present it with their language facing so that they can read it upon receiving it.

Document Three: Press Release

This press release demonstrates how to rewrite an article for an Egyptian audience. The original press release included in this report contains several ambiguous words. For example, the first word of the press release, “toppling,” may present problems for non-native English speakers. As part of the training program, you will take articles and press releases that you have previously published originally for an American audience and rewrite them for an Egyptian readership.

Document Four: AP Mobile Application

This document includes sample screenshots of a mobile application designed for Egyptians. These screenshots demonstrate a revision of the current AP mobile application. I based my changes on other Egyptian newspapers and their mobile applications such as Daily News Egypt, Egypt News, Egyptians News, and Egypt Radio and Newspaper. These are all news applications designed for mobile phones. These applications differ from the AP’s current application for two reasons. First, the Egyptian mobile apps feature less photography and second, most of them refer to other Egyptian news sources. Both the AP’s application and the Egyptian applications use the phrase “Top Stories” to indicate breaking news.

Raechelle Landers+20 2 2728 3671

raechellelanders@gmail.com1 Aisha Altaimoria Street

Cairo, Egypt7 April 2014

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Minister of DefenseEgyptian Armed Forces3 Salah Salem Street, Cairo 11763

السيسي الفتاح عبد تحيات ،حالك ولعائلتك أتمنى؟ كيف جيدا لك .

I hope that you are well and in good fortune. My news organization, the Associated Press, requests a meeting with you to discuss the campaigns to elect you as president of Egypt. Our news organization will publish an article about the support for you and your reluctance to accept the role.

Some questions that I will ask you include:

Why are you reluctant to become president of Egypt? Have your thoughts on the presidency changed after the initiation of campaigns such as “Kamel Gemilak,” “A nation’s demand,” and “El-Sisi for president”?

Can you respond to the rumors that Hamdeen Sabahi, will oppose you in a future presidential race? He expressed doubt about your commitment to democracy. Do you respond to him?

In an interview with Lally Weymouth of The Washington Post, you stated that the United States, under the Obama administration, is negligent in Egyptian politics and the will of the people. Do you continue to believe this?

Please contact me by email if and when you are available to meet. Thank you for your time.

لك أتطلع . السيسي الفتاح عبد شكرا لقائكم وإنني إلى .

التقدير خالص ،مع

Raechelle Landers

Assistant News Editor

Example Business Card

First side of business card

Second side of business card

Press Release

Raechelle LandersAssistant News Editor

The Associated Press Tel: +18146023619264 Melwood Avenue Email: info@ap.orgPittsburgh, PA 15213USA

Raechelle Landersاألخبار محرر مساعد

برس اسوشيتد وكالة

الجادة ميلوود 264 بيتسبرغ ، PA 15213

األمريكية المتحدة الواليات

18146023619+: الهاتف اإللكتروني info@ap.org :البريد

A new survey reveals that Americans learn news from multiple sources based on the topic and speed of the story. This contradicts the previous belief that Americans learn news from a few sources determined by their age and beliefs.

The Media Insight project released the survey, titled “The Personal News Cycle,” on 17 March, 2014. The Media Insight Project is an initiative of the American Press Institute and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

“People across generations are interested in all kinds of news, and they use a mix of media to learn about them,” said Tom Rosenstiel, executive director of the American Press Institute.

Rosenstiel also said that Americans of all ages prefer to learn of world events directly from the source than from an indirect source.

The survey also says that where Americans get their news depends on the topic and type of story. For example, they do not depend on one news organization for everything. Instead, Americans get their sports news from one organization and their politics and world news from a different news source. This means that Americans seek specialization of topics in their news sources.

“This survey provides information that goes well beyond the media platform a person uses,” said Trevor Tompson, director of the AP-NORC Center.

Trevor Tompson discussed the design of the survey. The survey provides more detailed data about how people get their news. For example, the survey tells how Americans follow news differently based on the timing of the story. Americans use a different source for breaking news than for slow paced stories. The survey also tells what Americans do if they want to learn more about the topic.

Other findings of the survey include:

Most Americans use multiple sources and technologies to get their news each week. The news topic determines the type of technology that Americans use to get their news.

The devices used by Americans listed below also rank their use in percentage:o Television, 87 percento Computer, 69 percento Radio, 65 percento Print, 61 percento Mobile telephone, 56 percento Tablet, 29 percent

Data contrasts the common belief that news habits are ingrained and limited to a few devices.

The survey shows that more than six in ten American adults learn news stories from television, radio, computers, or mobile telephones each week.

Mobile Application Example Screenshot

Text Sources

Egypt’s army chief AbdelFattah al-Sisi arrives in UAE

Staff Writer, Al Arabiya NewsTuesday, 11 March 2014

Egypt’s army chief Field Marsha Abdel-Fattahal-Sisi arrived in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Sisi is scheduled to attend the conclusion of a joint military exercise (Zayed-1) held by the UAE and Egyptian Armed Forces. After his arrival in Abu Dhabi Sisi  was met by UAE deputy army chief Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

The two men noted the “fraternal and solid relations linking the two countries and their peoples,” and their wish to “consolidate bilateral cooperation,” the WAM news agency reported, without giving details on Sisi’s plans or the length of his stay.

The Emirates have given Egypt $4.9 billion in

The Associated Pressبرس اسوشيتد وكالة

The Associated Pressبرس اسوشيتد وكالة

Sports

Egypt Newspapers

Science and Technology

World

Economy

Top Stories

Committee to Protect Journalists. (n.d.). Protecting Journalists Worldwide. Retrieved from Committee to Protect Journalists: https://www.cpj.org/

Egypt Profile. (2014, February 26). Retrieved from BBC News Africa: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13313370

Egypt: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (2013). Retrieved from Kwintessential: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html

Journalist Security Guide: Basic Preparedness. (n.d.). Retrieved from Committee to Protect Journalists: http://cpj.org/reports/2012/04/basic-preparedness.php

National Survey: The Personal News Cycle: How Americans Get their News. (2014). The Associated Press.

Schaub, M. (2000). English in the Arab Republic of Egypt. World Englishes, 225-238.

Timeline of Egyptian History and Culture. (2009). Retrieved from Cultural Property Training Resource: Egypt (Bright Star): http://www.cemml.colostate.edu/cultural/09476/egypt02-01enl.html

Weiss, E. H. (2005). The Elements of International English Style. Armonk, New York: M.E. Sharpe.

Visual Sources

Egypt Flag. (n.d.). Retrieved from Maps of World: http://www.mapsofworld.com/flags/egypt-flag.html

Egypt's army chief Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi arrives in UAE. (n.d.). Retrieved from Al Arabiya News: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/03/11/Egypt-s-army-chief-Abdel-Fattah-el-Sissi-arrives-in-UAE.html

OE Productions. (n.d.). Egyptian News. Retrieved from Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.makemedroid.egyptdailynews

The Associated Press. (n.d.). AP Mobile. Retrieved from iTunes Preview: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ap-mobile/id284901416?mt=8