Rashwan said a roughly 30-minute interview with TV host Amr Adib on government measures to mitigate the economic fallout of the Iran war crisis had been reduced to a “misrepresentation” that turned into a trending topic online.
An online backlash was driven by a short, clipped segment from Rashwan’s interview with Amr Adib that circulated widely on Facebook and X, where some users interpreted his example comparing subsidized bread in Egypt with France as suggesting that Egyptians are economically better off than Europeans.
The clip quickly gained traction, with commentators, journalists, and public figures criticizing what they deemed an unrealistic comparison that ignored the wide gap in wages, living standards, and inflation levels between the two countries. Hashtags and reposts amplified the criticism, turning the issue into a trending topic within hours.
Much of the criticism focused on perceived insensitivity to current economic pressures facing Egyptians, including rising living costs and currency pressures, with users arguing that the example oversimplified complex economic realities.
Rashwan's clarification comes amid wider debate over Egypt’s economic policies as regional tensions continue to weigh on global energy markets and domestic costs.
The minister said his reference to comparing what Egypt’s minimum wage can buy in subsidized bread with what its equivalent in France can buy was not intended to compare income or living standards between the two countries.
“The differences between the two are well known and, of course, in France’s favour,” he said, adding that the example was meant solely to illustrate the scale of state support for bread subsidies in Egypt.
He noted that the government provides around 270 million subsidized loaves of bread daily to more than 55 million Egyptians, describing the programme as a core element of the state’s social responsibility.
Rashwan stressed that the example was not an assessment of purchasing power or broader economic conditions, but rather an illustration of the state’s commitment to supporting a staple food central to daily life.
He also rejected what he described as deliberate misinterpretations of his remarks, saying some had “chosen, or followed the trend, to read into the example meanings that were neither stated nor intended.”
Rashwan added that some commentators ignored his explicit denial during the interview of any claim that Egyptians are economically better off than their French counterparts.
He urged the public not to rush to judgment, calling on followers to watch the full interview before forming conclusions.
“Do not form a final opinion before you watch and listen to the full video yourself,” he said, adding that differing views should not undermine mutual respect.
Rashwan concluded by saying he had contacted a prominent media figure who had promoted the misinterpretation, only to find that the individual had not watched the interview and had relied on second-hand accounts.
“This is what happens when one rushes after trends without proper review or verification,” he said.
Earlier in February, Rashwan said the country’s media sector faces a “major crisis” requiring urgent structural reform, pledging to overhaul the system while upholding constitutional guarantees on freedom of expression.
Speaking shortly after he was appointed minister, Rashwan said the priority is to improve the media environment, strengthen transparency, and activate constitutional provisions on publication and the public’s right to information, while respecting the independence of regulatory bodies.
He also highlighted the growing influence of digital platforms, the need to combat misinformation through greater openness, and government plans to enhance coordination with media institutions and professional syndicates.
Short link: