As with so much of Egypt in the post-Mubarak era, the media industry changed overnight and continues to push up against official boundaries as it enters uncharted territory. While technically free to report and investigate, there is the perception that unofficial red lines exist circumscribing the output of media outlets. This is especially true of satellite news channels, many of which were closed down in the wake of the killing of Christian Copt protesters by security forces on 9th October. However, such blatant silencing of the media is not the norm, even if the implied threat of similar action remains, and the Egyptian media is both loud and growing.

Recently I began shooting pictures for 25TV, a news and current affairs channel launched in the wake of the January 25 revolution. This access has allowed me to see how the channel works behind the scenes and to document what happens when the cameras are not rolling.

One of my first impressions was not of the channel itself, but of a large and looming neighbour. The Maspero building, the seat of the state media, sits a short distance up the road and can be clearly seen from many of the channel’s windows. Surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards, the face of state broadcasting in Egypt is not currently a welcoming one. 25TV occupies more unassuming premises in an apartment block down the Nile Corniche road from the Maspero. All the studios, editing suites and offices sit at the top of the building, while the cameramen occupy a separate apartment further down.

One of my first impressions was not of the channel itself, but of a large and looming neighbour. The Maspero building, the seat of the state media, sits a short distance up the road and can be clearly seen from many of the channel’s windows. Surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards, the face of state broadcasting in Egypt is not currently a welcoming one. 25TV occupies more unassuming premises in an apartment block down the Nile Corniche road from the Maspero. All the studios, editing suites and offices sit at the top of the building, while the cameramen occupy a separate apartment further down.

The feeling at 25TV of belonging to a new generation in Egypt’s history reflects the situation of its inception. Rising up against the dictatorship of former president Mubarak’s regime, the youth of Egypt paid a heavy price to ensure his resignation. Such was the power of these young revolutionaries that the motif of the ‘shabaab’, the young and dispossessed who love Egypt more than any government can, still exerts a strong hold on the public imagination. Working to represent this young constituency 25TV describes itself as a ‘channel based on the principles of the January 25 revolution: democracy, freedom and social justice‘.

As well as representing the young, they also provide the employment pool for the channel. Almost all of the producers, cameramen, editors and presenters come from what is being called the ‘Tahrir Generation’. The style of the station is laid back and suits are few and far between.

Achieved through perseverance in the face of brutal suppression, the revolution was not just televised but also blogged, tweeted, messaged and recorded on hundreds of thousands of mobile phones. Positioning itself in this brave new world 25TV has both social media platforms run by staff, and programs dedicated to analysing the trends and ideas that form the main currency of exchange throughout the world wide web.

The continued success of 25TV lies in the hands of both the channel itself and whoever will hold the real power in the post-elections settlement. Media freedom is by no means guaranteed and for all the explosion of expression that the January revolution fermented, the tide could turn with a surprising speed. Recent events give grounds for cautious optimism. During the fighting in Mohammad Mahmoud street between the 19th and 23rd November the state communications council announced that in no circumstances would phone and internet lines be cut, a tactic from the Mubarak days. Reporting the elections veered towards farce as permissions to cover the vote weren’t given out until 1am on the first day, but coverage was otherwise free. Channels like 25TV and other news services on all kind of media are all fighting to ensure they retain a strong voice in the uncertain future.