Egypt: journalists targeted at Hilton hotel in Cairo

[ A pro-Mubarak supporter is led away by the army during rioting near Tahir Square in Cairo February 3, 2011. Anti-government protesters and supporters of Mubarak clashed on Thursday near a central Cairo square in a re-run of overnight violence that killed six and wounded more than 800 people. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem ]

After reporters claimed a Hilton property in Cairo was cooperating with Egyptian security forces to harass and detain journalists, the hotel chain today confirmed in a statement that it has asked correspondents to stop filming there.

A number of western news staff have based their operations at the Ramses Hilton in Cairo, and according to reports circulating today, it was from this property that equipment belonging to BBC News reporters was seized.

Over the past 24 hours, security conditions for journalists in Egypt reporting on the popular uprising have deteriorated rapidly: a number of reporters have been beaten, arrested, detained, even threatened with beheading. In many cases, equipment has been confiscated. The incidents are believed to be part of a systematic campaign to block non-state media from covering what is becoming an increasingly bloody response to peaceful demonstrations calling for an end to Mubarak's 30-year authoritarian rule. Rumors are circulating among reporters in the region that hotels will be raided tonight by state security forces seeking to round up foreign news organizations.

I contacted the corporate communications office for Hilton Hotels worldwide, and a spokesperson shared the following prepared statement:

Due to the gravity, immediacy and dynamic nature of the situation in Cairo, our hotel is implementing additional measures to ensure the ongoing safety and security of our guests and employees, as this remains our highest priority. These measures include a request not to film from the property due to the threat this poses to the reporters themselves as well as others on property. We appreciate your understanding and support during these challenging circumstances.

But a source close to the story tells Boing Boing that the situation at the Cairo property is more complicated than the statement details. The Hilton Ramses is situated in an area just blocks from the center of the protests, and in an area effectively controlled by pro-Mubarak forces. Some thousand pro-Mubarak demonstrators were outside the hotel, threatening to throw rocks in the windows. They'd identified the property as home base for foreign news crews through the shots they broadcast. With a state of general chaos and instability throughout the city, intense hostility toward foreign news organizations, and no recourse to increase security at the location for staff and guests, the Hilton management made an "unprecedented" decision to insist that news crews staying at the location not broadcast from the hotel—during this period, reporters are apparently now being asked asked to check in their broadcast gear on arrival, and retrieve it when they step out of the property.

Hilton isn't the first western-owned business to receive criticism over perceptions of cooperating with authorities in Egypt during the unrest. Vodafone, the British-based cellphone network, reportedly sent pro-Mubarak text messages at the government's behest, while shutting down data and communications services for end-users.

Previously: CNN's Anderson Cooper beat up by pro-Mubarak thugs

• [chawke]

  It makes sense that Hilton is trying to cover their arsets.

  During WWII, IBM’s president relocated to Nazi Germany to oversee and protect IBM’s operations. In fact, he oversaw the death-trains computerized schedules.

  Bill Gates, when asked in an off-guard, non-interview sort of way – like at some diplomatic function – said he understood why the IBM president did this and thought he did the right thing under the circumstances.

  So, it doesn’t surprise me that corporations are cooperating with China, Egypt, N. Korea, Mars, Hell and etc. I also heard that Monsanto (or was it Nestle?) has a contract to sell aborted African fetuses to Tralfalmador! Well, maybe Tralfamador is just hearsay…Much like the big gorilla at the L.A. Zoo snatching the the glasses right off my face and stealing the keys to my BMW is hearsay. I was pretty drunk at the time and it’s possible my friends made it all up.

  And almost forgot to add – Edsel Ford, Henry Ford’s son, was on the board of I.G. Farben, the German company that helped make the Nazi death machine possible by supplying the poison gas and the gas machines.

• [Neon Tooth]

  If he’s not careful he’s going to wind up hanging upside down in Tahrir square.

  I think he’s reminding everybody why revolutions can’t always end peacefully for tyrants.

• [Anonymous]

  Did Vodafone participate in the chain of command of a war crime ?

  Its being spun as Vodafone just sent propaganda for Mubarak.

  Or did they send instructions to vigilante squads and texts that were an incitement to organised violence ?

  We were ordered to send them is the statement by Vodafone.

  Well that will not wash at a war crimes hearing at the Hague.

  And it better have been ordered at gunpoint or Vodafone must be closed now.

  Collaborate in murder and torture of innocent civilians, betray peace and freedom.

  If the blood of innocents is on Vodafone hands as seems to be the case.

  Then I say :

  Murderers!

• [jkg]

  on the news this morning Vodafone was claiming they were hacked by the Egyptian government and the pro-Mubarak texts were sent out without their knowledge

  • [EH]

    Hacked, my ass.

• [Anonymous]

  Which Hilton? There are two within walking distance of Tahrir Square.

  • [Anonymous]

    Hilton Ramses

• [godfathersoul]

  money. it talks.

  • [Ugly Canuck]

    Money doesn’t talk.
    It swears.

• [Neon Tooth]

  Seems like maybe this revolution’s about to be violently put down. Should be interesting to see what our ugly, hypocritical U.S. administration does.

• [Anonymous]

  The aggressiveness of the government is quite appaling (strong images):

  http://bit.ly/fm70mC

• [Holten]

  The Norwegian satirical site http://Opplysningskontoret.org commented, “finally somebody who blemishes the reputation of the hotel chain more than Paris”.

• [urbanhick]

  Ah, the corporatocracy at work. Nice to see they’re not even trying to hide it anymore. I suppose they figure we’re all so thoroughly cowed now they don’t need to.

• [Boba Fett Diop]

  Mubarak has just stated that if he resigns now, “there will be chaos.”

  The balls on this guy! If he’s not careful he’s going to wind up hanging upside down in Tahrir square.

  • [uricacid]

    …by his massive, massive balls

• [Gallerist]

  We see the anti Mubarak coalition demonized. They who had been particularly
  restrained, have been set upon by the forces of reaction, while the army begins to turn
  on them as well.
  Now is the time to convene a peoples assembly of all constituent groups party to
  the petition to change the government.
  Where by:
  The people may set down in writing their grievances, elect and confirm their spokes persons, and formalize the representational delegates who will address the Egyptian Parliament.

  They should do so here:

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo_Opera_House

  Affirm the openness and non violence of the movement.
  Invite the international diplomatic community, media, the army, and any member of the present sitting parliament who is willing to attend.
  Taking the protest off the street does not end the movement.