Here's an interesting example of the Mubarak propaganda machine at work. Egyptian Chronicles notes that Mohamed ElBaradei, a possible contender in next year's presidential election, has finally made it on to the front page of the semi-official al-Ahram newspaper.

The message is subtly delivered, but from all the photos of ElBaradei that might have been used, they just happened to choose one that shows him with Margaret Scobey, the US ambassador in Cairo. This, of course, helps to reinforce the regime's line that he's an American puppet (which he's not).

Contrast ElBaradei's treatment  with the way al-Masa'i newspaperhailed Mubarak's return from his recent operation in Germany.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 6 April 2010.