Photographer's Actions Anger Ahmed El Fishawy at Mother's Funeral, Journalists' Union Responds
The funeral of the late artist Somaya El Alfi, held on Monday night in Cairo, became controversial when Ahmed El Fishawy, her son, confronted a photographer who tried to capture his image as he mourned his mother's passing.
A circulating video shows El Fishawy visibly upset as he pursued the photographer, demanding that he delete the images and leave the funeral. This incident sparked widespread reactions on social media, where activists criticized the photographer for disregarding the privacy of the grieving family and attendees.
In response, the photographers' section of the Egyptian journalists' union issued a strong statement condemning the photographer's actions. They stated, "We denounce the behavior of the photographer who took close-up shots during a moment of profound human sorrow, which contradicts the most basic professional and ethical standards of journalism."
The section emphasized that coverage of funerals must adhere to clear guidelines balancing the right to information with respect for personal grief, asserting that any breach of these standards is entirely unacceptable. They highlighted the need for all photographers to uphold professional values that protect individuals' dignity.
Khaled El Balshi, president of the journalists' union, expressed full support for the photographers' section's statement, labeling the incident a blatant violation of journalistic coverage standards, stating:
"This behavior completely contradicts professional norms and hurts the feelings of mourners enduring difficult human circumstances."
Somaya El Alfi, who passed away at the age of 72 after a prolonged battle with cancer, was remembered at her funeral by numerous stars from the art community, in a deeply emotional setting. Just days before her death, she shared poignant moments with her son on set.
