Post revolution media is unsure

Young Egyptian television presenter Rania Hashim has said that she was the first reporter  to go to Tahrir Square during the Egyptian revolution, and that she is optimistic about the new minister’s vision for change in the country.  She spoke to Arabstoday about her professional life, her experience with the "Mehwar" channel, her ambitions and her upcoming new show. Despite her presence on TV, she has always had obstacles with her bosses due to her blunt opinions during her shows. Regarding her suspension from Egyptian TV, Rania said: “I was not suspended, but was excluded specifically from covering the parliamentary and Shura Council elections, which didn’t bother me at all.  I think that whoever was trying to exclude me before and is now trying to be my friend today, this proves that my intentions have always been sincere.”   About the performance of media, Rania said: “Post revolutionary media often finds itself straddling between wanting to tell the truth, but at the same time it tries to keep safe from the state.” She pointed out that “unfortunately, television is supposed to be the voice of the  people, but facts are often missed out. Today there is a repetition of censorship just like the time of [former president Hosni] Mubarak’s regime. Regarding her participation in the Egyptian revolution, Rania said: “I was the first  presenter to have presented my show from inside Tahrir Square. My goal was to know what the people’s demands were, so I put this question forward to the heads of state." Concerning  the change of the Minister of Information, she said: “I’m very optimistic about the new minister, and I expect him to give the youths involved in the revolution  a chance to present our ideas, and give us more freedom. It is time that the people feel reassured that there is someone who is  on  their side." Her experience in Mehwar was an important milestone in her life and she wished to continue there, but couldn’t because of what happened during the revolution. “I’m always ambitious and I feel that I have huge amounts of potential that have not yet been explored," she said.    She added: "I’m already trying to present a big show which will be a surprise for everyone. And I  hope to present a show where there is a relationship between the people and the government  so that the citizens can feel that Egyptian television  can be a real platform where voices are heard." About her other plans, she said: “In the last few days, I accepted an offer from one of the Arab satellite channels. I already travelled to the country (which remains undisclosed) and got the residence permit. I was also greatly appreciated by its government and its officials, but due to my circumstances, I am forced to remain in Egypt. Whatever I have been through, I love my country very much. I know the opportunity to travel and work abroad is very impressive to many people, but I  delayed the offer till October in order to remain here.”