Media Expert: Digital Culture Gap Is the Real Problem Behind Bloggers' Violations

Blame the culture, not the platforms. Dr. Howaida Mostafa, Vice President of the State Information Service, member of the National Media Authority, and former Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University, points the finger at a deeper issue. The real crisis lies in the absence of digital culture and the failure of many users and bloggers to grasp the professional and ethical standards governing these platforms.

Digital Media Has Taken Over

Digital media has imposed itself with undeniable force. Its speed in delivering information and its direct interaction with audiences have made it a pillar no one can ignore. Speaking on the 'Arabayeti' program broadcast on Radio Masr and hosted by journalist and media figure Hisham El-Zeiny, Mostafa explained that this new form of media has become an integral part of the landscape. But what happens when a powerful tool is wielded without proper cultural awareness?

The answer is visible every day. Some bloggers and influencers have fallen into serious mistakes due to this uncontrolled usage. Technological advancement moved far faster than the regulatory steps taken on the ground — and that widening gap sits at the heart of the current digital media turmoil. It's a race where innovation keeps sprinting ahead while institutional response struggles to keep pace.

Laws Built for Another Era

Current legislation and professional codes of honor were never designed for this digital newcomer. They were created primarily to regulate traditional media. That operates under direct oversight, while the present reality demands something entirely different. Mostafa emphasized that digital media has a unique nature and widespread influence, requiring a comprehensive review of existing laws to bring them in line with digital communication realities.

Traditional media operates within a framework of professional and ethical controls, but its digital counterpart remains in a regulatory vacuum. The challenge is to craft a framework that preserves the benefits of digital platforms while curbing the negative practices of some bloggers and influencers. What's at stake is simple: protecting society's right to professional, responsible content — a goal that demands genuine digital literacy before any legal text is written.