Editor’s letter: Old friends matter

Maher Hamoud
3 Min Read
DNE Editor-in-Chief Maher Hamoud
DNE Editor-in-Chief Maher Hamoud
DNE Editor-in-Chief Maher Hamoud

How many of us had arguments with old friends? Criticized them? Felt like hating them at some unpleasant moment? Maybe almost every normal human being did. However, we always realize how sad it is to feel like losing those who matter.

The sad news of shutting down Daily News Egypt (DNE) late last April may have brought to us a very similar feeling. It felt like wanting to express regrets and sadness for not being able to provide help when it was needed. DNE with such sudden sad news proved that it has so much respect and attachment deep into the hearts of its readers and followers built throughout the span of seven years.

Yes, it has been seven years of hard work and independent news coverage with high standards and objectivity. Values that were not easy to find in an English publication back then. And even still difficult to find today in an Egyptian daily newspaper published in English.

As it was shocking to DNE’s audience, it felt the same for the media market. It felt like no matter what, a publication with such historical and cultural values cannot be shut down in such a way. A fact that made Business News for Press, Publishing, and Distribution (BNPPD) decide immediately to step in and bring such a media asset, such an enlightenment window, back to life.

It is a hard and bold decision though to invest in a shut down print newspaper. It almost never happens in today’s press market. However, BNPPD has a nontraditional vision when it comes to its media investment strategies. The company is always keen on bringing successful business models blended into the concept of cultural value. BNPPD has seen that DNE is definitely a perfect example of that.

DNE has always been the journalism school that many of today’s Egyptian star writers have graduated from. A milestone with a historical value, built up by dedicated and loving journalists, who made it what it is today. All together created a business value based on its deeply rooted social appreciation.

Today is definitely a day of happiness and pride. Today DNE resumes its daily habit of supplying readers and fans with daily independent and objective news. Today is another historical day on DNE’s life path.

With all respect to its history and editorial line, BNPPD promises DNE’s loving audience with the same previous perspective, news coverage with integrity and neutral analysis. DNE is still the same old friend that has been taken as a good company years ago. It is just healthier with enough blood to keep such a valuable friendship going and came back to stay forever.

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Former Editor-in-Chief of The Daily News Egypt, and currently Media Politics Analyst. He can be followed on Twitter @MaherHamoud1, his public page on Facebook, or email: [email protected]