The report was prepared within the framework of the project Albatros II – MENA – Countering Disinformation and Information Threats Targeting Democratic Values and Institutions, Damaging International Relations, and Negatively Affecting the Image of Poland in Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt. Assessment of the Impact of Disinformation and Propaganda on MENA Societies — Report, Defence Strategies, and Implementation of Recommendations.
This report constitutes a multi-dimensional analysis of the Egyptian information environment. It consists of extensive chapters that present, among other elements, the structure and characteristics of Egyptian media (both traditional and modern), the information habits of society, as well as the social and cultural conditions shaping the reception of media messages in Egypt. The analysis also covers various forms of external influence on public opinion and the techniques and tactics of manipulation or propaganda employed, including psychological operations directed both against the West and against Poland.
The individual chapters of the report include, among other components, a characterisation of the dominant actors in the Egyptian media landscape (state-owned, private, regional, affiliated with specific political or religious groups, as well as foreign actors), an analysis of society’s information habits (divided by age groups and ethnic-religious differences), as well as an overview of key areas of external influence, such as economics, geopolitics, or ideological issues. The material presented in the report includes examples of specific narratives and forms of persuasion, with detailed identification of the propagandistic mechanisms (including Russian and Chinese) that shape Egyptian public opinion.
The report is further supplemented by chapters devoted, among other aspects, to the psychological and social conditions influencing the functioning of the Egyptian media recipient, as well as selected case studies illustrating how narratives directed against the West or Poland are constructed and disseminated. The report provides a cross-sectional view of the current challenges related to access to reliable information in Egypt and the trends that may be of particular importance for observers and analysts in the context of shaping public opinion in the country.
The analysis conducted indicates that the Egyptian information environment is highly diverse and significantly controlled by state authorities and selected interest groups. At the same time, the role of social media and online media is growing, becoming particularly attractive to the younger generation — more open to new forms of communication and international trends. Attention is also drawn to the society’s susceptibility to propagandistic or disinformation narratives, especially in the context of foreign policy, which contributes to the consolidation of distrust towards the West and its allies.
The report provides a comprehensive description of the interconnections between media and political, religious, and ethnic groups, and also includes considerations related to migration and refugee issues, which further affect informational and social stability in the country.
The examples of Russian and Chinese narratives presented, as well as the description of the tactics employed, demonstrate that Egypt remains a key area for international influence operations. From the perspective of researchers and decision-makers, the study offers knowledge that enables a better understanding of the informational processes taking place in the country and supports the development of strategies to counter disinformation and manipulation, which hinder an accurate assessment of the situation in the Middle East and North Africa.