Faruq Abu Zayd

Faruq Abu Zayd is an Egyptian scholar of media and journalism known for his foundational textbook on journalistic methods, Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiyya ("The Art of Journalistic Writing") Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiy…+1.

Scholarly Approach and Thought

Abu Zayd studied under prominent figures of Arabic journalism scholarship, including Mahmud Azmi and Abd al-Latif Hamza Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiy…+1. In his theoretical work, he advocated for distinguishing between the term "journalistic writing" (fann al-kitaba al-sahafiyya) and "journalistic editing" (fann al-tahrir al-sahafi) Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiy…+1. He maintained that writing represents the creative act of composition undertaken by the reporter or essayist, analogous to radio, television, literary, theatrical, and cinematic writing, whereas editing refers specifically to the editorial preparation and review undertaken by editors-in-chief, managing editors, or the newsroom desk prior to publication Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiy…+1.

In Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiyya, Abu Zayd combined theoretical principles synthesized from Arabic and English literature with the practical realities of newsroom practice, arguing that while core principles remain stable, their practical applications continuously evolve alongside society and the press Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiy…. Methodologically, his scholarship relied on analytical, comparative, and historical frameworks, drawing upon Arab newspapers published across the Arab world and abroad, as well as British and American press models Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiy…. He categorized and analyzed major press genres, including interviews, investigative reports, feature and news reporting, analytical and editorial articles, and press campaigns, conceptualizing the press campaign as the coordinated application of multiple journalistic genres toward a specific objective rather than an isolated format of its own Fann al-Kitaba al-Sahafiy…+1.