By: Toka Mohamed Abdelmoniem, Esraa Belal Abdellatif, Sagy Mahmoud Ismail

In the presence of journalists and photojournalists, on Wednesday EMCCU organized a seminar entitled "photo culture and ethics", EMCCU TODAY got the chance to interview Dr. Abdelgawad Abou Kab the Head of the Digital Transformation Institution...

In the context of digital transformation, from your point of view, how did the digital media affect the ethics of the photo?

With the large spread of technology, and the huge and great development in internet speeds, new technologies in mobiles as well as editing programs through which any citizen in their house can use. This prevalence must be met with controls by law, and legislative structure in Egypt. Unfortunately, we are dominated by negative content and lack of connection with the law. In the digital media age it’s all about wanting to publish the story. And the story is being published in a way that in my estimation, is very bad and that there should be a pause. No matter what we as media professionals do, and you as media students do, the story remains dependent on the idea of the millions who use these means, and every human being has turned into a small media institution. We need to review ourselves because we are fighting these people. YouTubers as an example, earn a very large amount of money, and the world recognize them as playing part of the media.
So, we need to redefine the media in Egypt in terms of media laws and regulations, and to develop the laws and to raise the culture of media awareness among the audience .And for the citizens who misuse the social media we should provide help and guidance, in order not to conflict with the values and constants of society.

Can you tell us about the misuse of photos in the media?

The photo, is a universal language that does not need translation. And here relies the difference between the image and the word or language. The image, if used well, it will be very useful, but in return, if it is used poorly, it becomes disastrous. With regard to social media, we publish a very negative impact, even if the intention of publishing is for the purpose of reform. Most people always tend to photograph the accident instead of helping to solve the problem, and this describes whether I am a positive citizen or a negative citizen. Do I want to help or do I want to use the photo to get a "trend". Publishing negative photos is due to the absence of censorship, especially on social media, because the apparent negatives are more than the positives. A solution, from my point of view, is to direct social media so that it becomes beneficial to the country and is compatible with our respectable culture.
.

What is required to develop the skills of a comprehensive journalist in Egypt?

In my opinion, everything offered by mass communication faculties or any college does not exceed than 40% of what is required for the market. The remaining 60% is up to the person, if we took Mass Communication Cairo University as an example, the doctor will explain to everyone, either paying attention or preparing for the lesson is an individual responsibility for the student. In addition to the practical application, because without application, the case remains within the framework of the theoretical reading and writing only. In addition to technology and language, but it must be related to specialization to know the terminology in order to acquire the necessary technological skills.

What is your opinion about photo culture seminar organized by faculty of Mass Communication?

I was so pleased with the educational and cultural level of the English Section students and that they are good listeners compared to other students, and they have great questions and great interaction with the lecturers and in my opinion this was one of the most important seminars I have participated in.

Can you tell us more about the internship you are going to provide to EMCCU?

It will be for 100 students from EMCCU after Ramadan and it is going to be on a new platform belongs to the Media and Digital Transformation Foundation and all you have to do is to register in the faculty.
.

Photography by: Omar EL-Naggar