Photographer Sparks Outrage at Ahmed El Fishawy's Mother's Funeral, Journalists' Syndicate Responds
The funeral of the late artist Somaya El Alfy took place on Monday evening in Cairo and was marked by a controversial incident involving photographers and her son, Ahmed El Fishawy. During the service, a photographer approached El Fishawy in an attempt to capture close-up images of him as he mourned his mother.
A video circulating on social media depicted El Fishawy expressing visible distress over the intrusion, leading him to confront the photographer, demand the deletion of the images, and escort him from the funeral venue. This incident sparked significant discussion online, with many activists criticizing the photographer for disregarding the privacy of individuals in mourning.
In response, the photographers' division of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate released a statement condemning the photographer's actions. They asserted, "We denounce the actions of one photographer who took close-up shots during a moment of profound personal sorrow, violating fundamental professional and ethical standards of journalism."
The division highlighted that covering funerals and mourning events must adhere to established guidelines that balance the public's right to information with respect for individual emotional privacy. They emphasized that any deviation from these standards is unacceptable, urging all photographers to uphold the professional and ethical values that protect individuals' dignity.
Khaled Balshi, head of the journalists' syndicate, expressed his full support for the division's statement, labeling the incident a clear breach of journalistic ethics. He remarked, "This behavior contradicts professional norms and is hurtful to those who are grieving and facing challenging emotional circumstances."
Somaya El Alfy, who passed away at the age of 72 after a prolonged battle with cancer, was honored by numerous figures from the art community at her funeral. The event was filled with emotion, especially as just days prior, she shared poignant moments with her son on set.
