## The Aswan Experiment: From "The Far
South" to the Flourishing Eighties
Aswan, a city steeped in history and culture in Upper Egypt, has long been known for its pursuit of
enlightenment. It predated all other cities in the region by establishing a
printing press in 1930, christened "Al-Tawfiq" (The Reconciliation).
In 1936, this press saw the birth of "Al-Sa'eed Al-Aqsa" ("The
Far South"), the first regional weekly newspaper. Its founder, young
Abdulkarim Nasser, was a respected businessman who sought to give Aswan a voice, a platform
for its community and its needs.
## The Aswan Experiment: From "The Far South" to the Flourishing Eighties
"Al-Sa'eed
Al-Aqsa," a tabloid with a mere four pages, sold for five milliemes. Its
front page was dedicated to political commentary, often reflecting the views of
the Wafd Party, to which the editor belonged. The paper prioritized local news,
including council decisions, commercial news, and chamber of commerce
announcements. "Al-Sa'eed Al-Aqsa" tackled local issues like poor
street lighting, the need for public water fountains, and requests for improved
flour distribution – pressing matters concerning the daily lives of Aswan's residents.
The newspaper also dedicated
a page to showcase the literary talents of young Aswanites, alongside other
diverse sections. It covered news from the surrounding centers of Edfu, Kom
Ombo, and Nubia
through its network of correspondents.
"Al-Sa'eed Al-Aqsa" relied on annual subscriptions, priced at
25 piasters, inclusive of postal charges. It found its readership among Aswanis
residing in Halfa and Khartoum,
Sudan.
The paper continued
publication even after its founder, Hajj Abdulkarim Nasser, passed away in July
1964. The mantle was then taken up by Abdel Hamid Abbas Abu Al-Nile, a member
of the Journalists' Syndicate and correspondent for Al-Ahram newspaper in Aswan at the time. This
coincided with the commencement of the Aswan High Dam project. While the new
editorial team maintained the paper's style and sections, it continued to rely
on traditional printing methods using lead letters and zincography. "Al-Sa'eed
Al-Aqsa" remained in circulation until its final issue in 1972.
The history and the current
reality of regional press in Aswan
reveal a consistent struggle. This is largely attributed to a condescending
attitude among mainstream journalists toward regional publications, often
perceiving them as unprofessional due to their lack of syndicate membership and
potential skills gaps. However, this perception has not stifled the rich talent
pool present in provincial areas, where individuals passionate about journalism
strive to address their communities' problems, enriching the journalistic
landscape and fostering the emergence of numerous publications.
The 1980s witnessed a revival
of regional press, largely due to the efforts of the late journalist Salah
Jalal, who, as the Deputy Head of the Supreme Council for Press, spearheaded a
campaign to uplift regional newspapers and enhance their performance. He
facilitated training programs led by prominent professors like Mustafa Amin,
Jalal Al-Hamamsy, Anis Mansour, and Dr. Khalil Sabat. He also secured a portion
of subsidized paper for regional newspapers, significantly reducing their
printing costs. Further, he organized trips for regional editors to Germany under
the auspices of the General Authority for Information and the German Media
Authority, providing exposure to German regional press practices and their
evolution in serving communities.
Journalism played a crucial
role in informing the Aswan
population about the pivotal Aswan High Dam project. Before the dam, Aswan
residents relied on newspapers from Cairo that arrived 24 hours later,
transported by a train named "Al-Muftakhir" (The Proud) completing
its journey in 15 hours. The train
departed Cairo at 1 PM and reached Aswan at 3 PM the
following day. In 1965, President Gamal Abdel Nasser issued a directive to
airlift newspapers to Aswan,
ensuring they reached the city's inhabitants and the dam's builders on the day
of publication.
In 1979, the Supreme Council
for Press opened the door for local newspaper licenses. The Aswan Local Council
obtained a license to publish its monthly newspaper, "Aswan." The esteemed journalist Mahmoud
Al-Aqqad, a writer for Al-Masaa newspaper and a cousin of the renowned author
Abbas Mahmoud Al-Aqqad, was appointed as the first editor. Several editors
succeeded him over the years until the newspaper closed its doors in 2017.
During its run, "Aswan" tackled
pivotal issues such as combating financial corruption and celebrating the
achievements of Dr. Magdi Yacoub's Heart
Center.
The 1980s saw the emergence
of around seven regional newspapers in Aswan
alone. Notable among them was "Al-Sad Al-A'la" ("The High
Dam"), published by the Aswan
branch of the Al-Tagammu Party, with Jalal Abbas, a builder of the High Dam,
serving as editor-in-chief. Other
publications included "Soot Aswan" ("Aswan's
Voice"), "Aswan Al-Hadithah" ("Modern Aswan"),
"Al-Anbaa Al-Aswaniah" ("Aswan News"), "Aswan
Al-Yawm" ("Aswan Today"), and "Janoob Al-Wadi"
("South of the Valley"), a magazine representing the voice of Nubia,
published by the Nubian Women's Association. "Soot Al-Nuba" ("Nubia's
Voice") was also published intermittently.
Sadly, most of these
newspapers have ceased publication, especially with the onset of the new
millennium and recurrent economic inflation.
**The Aswan Experiment:**
The history of Aswan's regional press,
from the early days of "Al-Sa'eed Al-Aqsa" to the flourishing period
in the 1980s, presents a fascinating case study in the evolution of local
journalism. Despite the challenges, Aswan's newspapers served
as vital conduits of information and platforms for community engagement. They
addressed local issues, highlighted the city's cultural achievements, and
played a significant role in informing the public about monumental projects
like the Aswan High Dam.
While the trajectory of these
newspapers reveals both success and struggle, they demonstrate the inherent
value of regional press in fostering community development, holding local
authorities accountable, and providing a platform for diverse voices. The Aswan experiment serves
as a reminder of the enduring power of journalism in connecting people,
addressing critical issues, and contributing to the progress of a community.
