When I was Reuters #Cairo correspondent covering Mubarak presidency, my press card was confiscated by his security bec I didn’t stand up when he entered restaurant. Reuters called press office to return it & they were told “Tell Mona to stand up next time” nyti.ms/2DcHu2L
At the beginning of every news conference, Information Minister would have out questions for state-owned media journalists who Mubarak would call on 1st so that they would field those questions i.e. propaganda to him.That’s what Trump would call “respect.” That’s what Trump wants
I would always yell out my questions until Mubarak finally paid attention to the rest of us who were not with state-owned media. He used to call me the “troublemaker from Reuters.” That’s what Trump wants.
Result of being “troublemaker” was that when I had an article Mubarak regime didn’t like, I’d be summoned for “tea” w/State Security i.e. interrogation. My phone was tapped & I was followed. State Security agent showed me my files during an interrogation. That’s what Trump wants
Ultimate consequence of being “troublemaker”:Nov 2011 as I covered protest near Tahrir Sq, #Egypt riot police beat me,broke my left arm & right hand,sexually assaulted me & I was detained by Interior Ministry & Military intelligence.That’s what Trump wants google.com/amp/s/amp.theg…
And I am lucky to be alive. Others have not been so lucky. When Trump demands “respect” from reporters, we must all demand freedom from his dictator-envy. He wants authoritarianism. Deny it to him.
