Mediatizing Slum Relocation in Egypt: Between Legitimization and Stigmatization

In Egypt, the relocation of residents informal areas housing into “proper” living environments is presented as a major political achievement offering citizens much-improved quality life. Therefore, it not surprising that, following Arab Uprisings, current regime widely publicizing projects success stories on TV and social media. As way garnering legitimization securing stability, this official representation reshaping residents’ urban life evoking narratives slum dwellers’ transformation respected citizens. Tackling new area interdisciplinary research between studies media communication studies, article investigates portrayal in mainstream channels platforms two (Al-Asmarat Cairo Al-Max Alexandria), contrasting them with perceptions their homes efforts to produce counter-imagery. The authors argue that both state-dominated Al-Asmarat resettlement an ideal solution crisis settlements, well more bottom-up construction community picturesque fishing community, do reflect material experience inhabitants—despite being such nationwide reporting. effective centering public debate around mediatized images has thus deflected criticism enabled development be positioned legitimize rule despite shortcomings implementation.