The Myth of the ‘Fourth Estate’
freedom. Silent solidarity events were organised and statements were released at all levels to support my just cause. But all these efforts were dashed at the regime’s rock - the real authority, the ‘first estate’. Here, we should all ask: How about journalists fighting on their own? What about those facing all kinds of threats single-handedly? While in detention, I looked around and saw such a fellow journalist. He would ask for any inferior job within the facility just to be able to stay outside his cell for an extra hour or two. Others without such a skill, resorted to sleeping to pass the crawling time. The sacrifices offered by journalists, mainly by those behind bars, are indescribable. No one can imagine how painful or understand how difficult such a reality is until they experience it themselves. Questions would swoop down to devour my brain: How could the free world remain silent while a journalist is detained without a fair trial? How could a journalist face all these threats simply for doing his duty? The whole world witnesses how some governments attempt to muzzle journalists and how the Israeli occupation forces levelled to the ground the tower housing international media in the Gaza Strip. But no one lifted a finger. There were only pointless statements of condemnation.
All of this raises the question: Is journalism really the ‘fourth estate’? Does this ‘fourth estate’ have the power to protect us, the journalists, and allow us to operate safely and freely? I had my entire organisation behind me; supporting and defending my freedom. Al Jazeera did not leave a stone unturned until I had been released. From day one, it was pleading with the international community before the Egyptian authorities for my
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