monthly observation report freedom of media in egypt ...on october 25, al-youm el-sabea website...

Monthly observation reportFreedom of Media in Egypt

October 2017

Monthly observation reportldquoFreedom of Media in Egyptrdquo

October 2017

Prepared byAhmed Abo ElMagd

Reviewed byAhmed Ragab

Cover designed byAhmed Sobhy

The Egyptian Center For Public Policy Studies

All copyrights are reserved to their respective authors

it is permitted to use the data included after citing

the resources any copyright infringement subjects

its perpetrator to legal claims

Issued by Individual Freedom ProgramOctober 2017

wwwecppsorg

TelFax +202795881

21 Abd El-Mgeed El-Ramaly st 7th floorFlat 71 Falaki squareDowntown Cairo Egypt

Monthly Observation Report Freedom of Media in Egypt - October 2017

1 The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies

The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies (ECPPS) is a non-

governmental non-party and non-profit organization with a mission to

propose public policies that aim at reforming the Egyptian legal and economic systems ECPPSrsquos goal is to promote the principles of free market individual freedom and the rule of law



The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies issues this monthly

observation report on the freedom of media in Egypt as an attempt to

monitor the freedom and independence of media in Egypt within the

following five spheres

Performance of media

Economic sphere

Legal sphere

Role of

Civil society

Political sphere



Content

Introduction

Legal sphere

Political sphere

Economic sphere

Media Performance

Role of Civil Society



Introduction

This report monitors the legal developments related to the media and press the free exchange

of information and the rulings issued concerning media professionals It also monitors the

political atmosphere influencing journalists directly or indirectly through censorship over

media through prevention confiscation and other mechanisms The report further follows the

economic atmosphere and how far the media discourse provides a professional and balanced

coverage of events and how far it provides a platform of expression for all viewpoints

particularly opposition Finally the report presents an overview of civil society efforts in the

field of advocacy for press freedom and the free exchange of information through reports

conferences and other activities taking place during this Month



Legal Sphere

On October 25 Al-Youm El-Sabea website published a copy of the draft law prepared by the

Supreme Media Council (SMC) headed by journalist Makram Mohamed Ahmed regarding the

freedom of information exchange before submitting it to the House of Representatives1

The council confirmed in a statement that the draft law aims at recognizing the right to obtain

information according to international standards and providing information publicly in a

manner that does not contradict with any justification for keeping this information classified

based on national security measures

The council added that one of the targets of the draft law is to set the mechanisms and

procedures that ensure disclosing information in a manner that guarantees a free exchange of

information and data thus contributing to fulfilling the social need for resolving economic and

social issues providing the requirements of planning and development and achieving

transparency to serve the rules of accountability and responsibility

According to the council the draft law seeks to create trust in the data and information issued

by government bodies improving their quality accuracy and organizing work in order to reach

a more in-depth and coordinated participation from private entities and civil society

organizations and at the same time preserve the security and safety of the state and its

interests

The council noted that the draft law also aims to ensure individual rights preventing the

violation of their privacy and right to the secrecy of personal information and data within the

framework of the law2

Investigations and rulings

On October 8 the Supreme State Security Prosecution decided to extend the detainment of

photojournalist Mohamed Al-Husseini for 15 days on a background of accusations of belonging

to a banned organization in violation of the law and spreading false information

The prosecution accused the photographer of spreading false information in the form of videos

polli g peoplersquos opi io arou d the pri e hikes

A Cairo Security Force had arrested him on September 6 at the Fagala area of Cairo3

1 Al-Youm Al-Sabea httpsgooglySMKSc

2 Al-Youm Al-Sabea httpsgoogliHeKxW

3 Al-Shorouk httpsgooglUwMxTj



On October 24 the Cairo Criminal Court headed by Judge Hassan Farid at the Trustees Police

Institute postpo ed the erdi t i the ase of Dispersi g the Ra ea E a p e t here photojournalist Mahmoud Shawkan is a defendant to continue hearings the witnesses on

October 31 session and ordered referring Shawkan to prison doctor due to suffering anemia

that caused his health to deteriorate4

On October 23 the SMC summoned Mohamed Abul Enein head of the board of directors of

Sada El-Balad channel Elham Abul Fotouh channel manager and TV host Ahmed Moussa to

continue investigations around the episode where a fake audio recording was aired

The committee comprising two members of the board and legal counselors will look into the

issue to determine the responsibility of the program host and the preparation team concerning

the broadcast recording

SMC head Makram Mohamed Ahmed assured that that council would give its final

determination following the end of investigations asserting that investigations are continuing

in accordance with the law as the council is the authority assigned with this Meanwhile the

ou ilrsquos o itori g a d o plai ts o ittees o ti ue to prepare a o prehensive report

of all the violations and faults committed within media coverage of the terror attack in Wahat

area he said5

The Political Sphere

The Wahat terror incident which took place on Friday October 20 was the subject of

international media interest as all international newspapers and broadcast channels published

o e tary a d e s o erage of the atta k BBC said that the Egyptia go er e t expressed fury and objection around reports that 50 police officers died in the shootout with

armed ilita ts i the Wester Desert Egyptia Mi istry of I terior had stated that o ly officers died in a mission in Wahat area what drove state media circle to criticize the BCC and

Reuters for mentioning the number of deaths in their articles without citing the source of such

information The BBC had cited unidentified security sources mentioning that 53 officers and

outposts died as a result of an exchange of fire with armed militants in Wahat Reuters reported

at least 52 people dead while American Asso iated Press said that at least offi ers a d outposts died i the shootout ith ilita ts ith Age e Fra e stati g that offi ers died i the atta k

The government statement criticized both BBC and Reuters for relying on what the statement

alled u spe ified se urity sour es a d their failure to ait for or resort to offi ial se urity

4 Arab Network for Human Rights Information httpsgooglvaza3U

5 Al-Wafd httpsgooglk8BVwQ



authorities to receive correct information The Ministry of Interior had declared 16 dead among

security forces in addition to the death of a number of militants in the Wahat clashes in

continuation of efforts to track down terror spots whose agents attempt to undermine the

country and shake its stability6

On October 25 while attending the graduation ceremony of the Future Technology Pioneers

initiative at the Manara Exhibition Center in Fifth Settlement area President Abdel Fattah Al-

Sisi called on the media to highlight such models of young people who are a pride to their

country7

The Press Syndicate

On October 18 in its meeting headed by its head Abdel Mohsen Salama the Press Syndicate

board thanked President Sisi for his support to the press journalists and the syndicate as he

responded to journalist demands of increasing the technology and training allowance by a

monthly EGP 300 starting July 2017

In its statement the board expressed assurance that requests of increasing pension support

for medical treatment training and all syndicate activities would be responded to

The board also thanked the government headed by Prime Minister Sherif Ismail for responding

the collective requests of journalists8

On October 2 in his interview for Al-Masry Al-Youm Head of the Press Syndicate and Al-Ahram

CEO Abdel Mohsen Salama warned against some attempts to create a rift between President

Sisi and journalists asserting that these attempts would not succeed and that those who

attempted would reap shame soon

Salama said in the interview that President Sisi confirmed his appreciation for journalists At the

same time the Head of the Press Syndicate expressed dissatisfaction with the financial

conditions of journalists and asked Prime Minister Sherif Ismail to devote attention to the

matter and take serious steps to improve the conditions of syndicate members

Commenting on claims of being close to the state Salama clarified that he certainly has good

relations with senior state officials and confirming that a journalist who does not have

connections with senior officials is not successful He pointed out that many members obtained

6 Al-Tahrir httpsgoogl82qgmA

7 Al-Mogaz httpsgooglwC7uPn

8 Al-Masry Al-Youm httpsgooglXSRi98



the syndicate membership through unstraightforward methods and that this would not

happen in his term and clarified that relations between the syndicate and the Ministry of

Interior are now excellent Moreover he rejected claims that he prevented sit ins on Syndicate

entrance justifying that protesters now understand that marches have different legal

procedures now and asserting that he would carry out all the promises made to journalists

prior to electing him head of the syndicate9

On October 7 the National Press Authority headed by Karam Gabr announced its intention to

issue a concluding book encompassing all the recommendations of the committee meetings

with the chief editors of state-o ed e spapers regardi g sta ilizi g the Egyptia state

Karam Gabr revealed in statements that the book would include the ethical standards for

publishing in national causes and fighting rumors in addition to all the topics discussed in the

six conferences held at the authority headquarters with Al-Ahram Al-Akhbar Al-Gomhoriya

Middle East Agency and Al-Helal Publishing House which covered ways to stabilize the

country10

Al-Bawaba News published the most prominent topics in the book which resulted from the

former and following meetings The book includes an index of the ethical standards of

publishing in terror and extremism related cases which the authority voted in its meetings

which stressed the importance of adhering to international standards in covering terror and

violence attacks in observance of article 37 of the Egyptian constitution issued in 2013 which

stipulates that the state shall fight terroris i all its for s a d prepare a spe ified ti efra e for this considering it a threat to the country and citizens guaranteeing at the same time public

rights and freedo s

The book also encompasses various recommendations in the form of an ethical blog including

refraining from publishing extreme photos of victims in respect of the feelings of their family

and to avoid negative repercussions targeted by terrorists who wish to spread fear and panic

The blog proposed dealing with these incidents in their true size without understating or

overstating them in addition to spreading the idea that the security of society means the

security of citizens first of all avoiding to rely on social media and Facebook as a source of

information for publishing and rationalizing the coverage by media platforms which show

exaggerated coverage of terror acts

The book also tackled the establishment of a national monitoring center to follow coverage of

terror cases in the media analyze media tackling of terror violence and extremism cases in all

their forms and issue regular documented strategic reports to unveil terrors that spread fear

9 Al-Masry Al-Youm httpsgoogl258xAR

10 Al-Masry Al-Youm httpsgoogl4EXn95



among citizens distort the image of Islam its values and to act as a continuous communication

channel that immediately negate rumors and false propaganda

The book underscored the role of Al-Azhar in spreading the values of heavenly religions which

reject violence and terror to communicate this message to the public and called for

continuous channels of communication between the official religious institution and the media

through regular meetings

It further recommended that the monitoring center should not be entitled to respond but

should leave the response to the original sources considering the importance of separating the

role of the center from sources based on international experience in fighting rumors

The book additionally referred that it is necessary for state newspapers to use digital methods

in their coverage and websites which requires them to show a faster pace of coverage to

incidents in order to prevent any false news spread by some satellite channels with well-known

agendas11

On October 3 for three hours the hall of the Radio and Television Building at Maspero turned

into a protest arena for employees The spark started when a large number of Production

Se tor e ployees headed to Hussei Zei rsquos offi e the head of the Natio al Media Authority to express their anger over refraining from unifying the financial regulations and raising it to 100

instead of 70 They were later joined by employees in the Radio and Television Sector and the

Sound Engineering Sector who had the same demands in addition to restoring the former leave

system A decision had been sent to all sectors stating that all employees need to be present at

the building for weekly 35 hours as of October 1st

what raised anger among many employees

who seized the opportunity to protest alongside the Production Sector The Head of the

National Media Authority was informed right away and asked to meet with a number of

protesters to find out about their demands He later met with Ahmed Sakr acting head of the

sector for two hours and was assigned to find solutions and provide operations for the

Production sector soon Two hours later protests erupted at the Specialised Channels Sector

particularly the Education Channel as the Ministry of Education refused to send the annual EGP

5m Maspero allocations where employees sensed that there was no intention to resolve this

crisis which would end in closing the channel and dismissing staff there

Employees took the opportunity of demonstrations to make other demands including payment

of due raises approved by President Sisi a while ago in addition to the 30 livelihood raise

Employees threatened to continue protests day to day until their demands were met

confirming that they will not give up on their rights this time In case of no response the

11

Al-Bawaba News httpsgooglee87SG



employees declared they would plan an open protest to be probably joined by Regional

Channels Sector which suffers marginalization in all financial and moral aspects and whose

employees promised to come to Cairo particularly for protest12

Preventing Coverage and Physical and Verbal Assaults on Journalists

Cairo International Airport authorities prevented Sudanese journalist Rehab Taha chief editor

of Sudanese Al-Wefaq Newspaper from entering the country for security reasons

A security source at the airport mentioned that the Sudanese writer arrived into Cairo Airport

on Saturday coming from Khartoum Checking his data a security body asked to prevent him

from entering the country which was immediately carried out

The source said that the writer would be deported to his country on the soonest plane to

Sudan confirming that reports by some Sudanese websites around his arrest by Cairo airport

authorities were entirely false13

Censorship over Content

On October 14 the Supreme Media Council issued a decision to form a committee to regulate

the performance of sports media headed by writer Fahmy Amr with members including sports

critic Hassan Mestekawi PhD Hamdi Hassan Adel Maher Judge Hisham Abu Alam Khaled

Tawheed and members of the council PhD Suzan Al-Qellini Hatem Zakariya

The council added in a statement that the move comes to overcome undisciplined behavior in

the sports shows screened on satellite channels14

12

El-Fagr httpsgooglCRsDN9 13

El-Gomhoreya httpsgooglCuwTEF 14

Al-Youm Al-Sabea httpsgoogl3MSTpt



Economic Sphere

On October 14 Abdel Mohsen Salama Head of the Press Syndicate called journalists for a

General Assembly for the solidarity fund on Sunday and mentioned in a press statement a

syndicate plan to increase solidarity benefits by threefold to become EGP 45000 instead of the

current EGP 15000

The sy di ate had alled e ers of the solidarity fu d to parti ipate i the fu drsquos ge eral assembly to discuss the actuarial study aimed at increasing solidarity benefits for members at

1200 pm for the first meeting

The syndicate clarified in the statement that in case the legal threshold was not achieved the

second meeting would be at 100 pm of the same day in the presence of 10 of the members

with voting rights or 50 members whichever less while journalists with less than 6months

membership would not be allowed in accordance with the regulations approved by the

General Authority of Financial Supervision15

On October 12 Salama said that journalism is in a crisis having been intentionally distorted

and that the conditions of Egyptian newspapers are rough due to the problems faced

particularly following the Jan 25 Revolution due to the economic situation

Salama added in a statement to Al-Akh ar e spaper that the o ditio s i state-run media

institutions require government support to face the accumulated debts and lack of profit a d explaining that there is an emergency plan and a long term one to reform these institutions

improve their economic situation and increase advertising

Responding to a question around detained journalists Salama asserted that there are no

opinion prisoners among journalists in Egypt but there are journalists detained on a

background of other cases whom they support but study cancelling the syndicate membership

of journalists who support terrorism

He continued saying that the Press Law is currently being discussed at the syndicate to be

presented to the general assembly prior to its submission to the parliament within 3 months

Another law was being discussed to increase the financial resources of the syndicate it revolves

around the idea that for every ad that appears in newspapers and websites under the

syndicate a stamp or fee would be imposed with a value ranging from 50-500 EGP More

specifically ads that cost less than EGP 10000 would entail a fee of EGP 50 while ads of EGP

5000 cost would entail a fee of EGP 200 which the advertiser would bear These funds would

be channeled to serve journalists

15

Al-Watan httpsgooglYyC8Lr



The Head of the Press Syndicate affirmed that huge efforts are being exerted to increase

journalistsrsquo pension and that there is a continuous dialogue between the government and the

National Media Authority to increase the pension

Regarding syndicate registration system Salama confirmed that the system requires

amendment that it would be included in the new syndicate law He added that we must stand

up for e ership sale y or e spapers that e k o ery ell hi h e ill e d

Concerning websites he clarified that there are strict procedures regarding how long it takes

for a website to start and a condition of an editorial and administrative structure for the

website16

On October 12 Salama said that Al-Ahram is one of the largest press institutions in the Middle

East and that it has the ability to come back once again

Salama added in his interview with Ahmed Moussa - on Ala Masouleyeti program aired on Sada

El-Balad channel - that the printing cost of Al-Ahram is EGP 7while it is being sold for EGP 15

clarifying that he objects to suggestions made by some to raise newspaper prices to be

equivalent to cost price as this would be harmful to national security17

On October 2 Salama said that his decision to prevent any new assignments of journalists or

trainees into Al-Ahram at the present time was due to the conditions at the institution

On the program he added that this decision was not final but was based on the current

situation at the institution where information are being gathered and a reorganizing of

capabilities is being carried out clarifying that when this stage is over there would be different

measures18

16

Sada El-Balad httpsgooglVgNZ6W 17

El-Badeel httpsgooglVgNZ6W 18

Akhbar Al-Youm httpsgoogl7vYx1U



The Role of Civil Society

Papers

The Arab Network for Human Rights Information said that the Supreme Media Council where a

decision to form it was issued on December 26 2016 has taken systematic decisions to impose

a tight control over all matter tackled in the media socially politically and ethically trespassing

its competencies specified in the constitution and media regulation law and reaching a point of

terrorizing media and media professionals and forcing them to adopt a state point of view

This a e i a report issued y the et ork e titled Pho ia a d Ce sorship the Supre e Media Regulatio Cou il ta kli g the la through hi h the three edia a d press authorities were established to regulate and manage all matters related to the media and press

in Egypt Three presidential decrees were issues to form the Supreme Media Council the

National Press Authority and the National Media Authority while these institutions

particularly the Supreme Media Regulation Council turned from working to regulate and

reform the media to a practice of censorship and chasing reminiscent of the National Guidance

ministry or the Ministry of Information in the sixties of the last century

The report prepared by journalist Rana Mamdouh cites examples of the violations committed

by the council and even the reports filed against journalists and media professionals the

censorship intervention and the imposition of fines and penalties while it has not intervened

to protect newspapers that have been banned or websites blocked for the sake of defending

the freedom of speech and expression

The report comes 10 months after the approval of a decree to form the three institutions and

in the lack of a law regulating the code of ethics and conventions of honorable media practice

The Supreme Media Council and the two national authorities for the press and media were

formed on April 12 while a law regulating the profession was not issued till now what lead the

institutions ndash particularly the Supreme Media Council - to have absolute power and freedom to

add ore haos to the edia s e e a d o it iolatio s agai st itize srsquo rights to a objective media and professional journalism

The report revealed that ignoring the counsel of experts and their refusal to divide the unified

press and media law which was agreed by the press circles in 2014 resulted in granting the

state and its representatives inside the three institutions full control over the content aired and

printed in media platforms and took us back to the one-voice era of the same statement

published in newspapers aired on radios and broadcast on television19

19

Arab Network for Human Rights Information httpsgoogltyYYBF



Events

The ECCPS held a training for journalists and media professionals from Cairo Giza

Qalyubia and Sharqiya at the center headquarters on Monday and Tuesday October 23

24 2017 The training clarified concepts and mechanisms that enable journalism and

media practitioners to defend their legal and constitutional rights based on the Legal

and Rights Guide for Defending Journalists issued by the center The training also

included workshops where trainees used the legal tools provided to defend their rights

and provided their recommendations for amendments to the Press Law

The ECCPS orga ized the se o d sessio arou d the Press a d Media Related La s at center headquarter on Tuesday October 24 2017 The session comes among a number

of activities organized by ECCPS to raise awareness around press and media freedom in

Egypt and create more freedom and space for journalists to fearlessly practice their

role The sessions also seek to initiate a societal discussion around the laws of press and

media governing the press in Egypt at the present time20

20

ECCPS website httpsgoogleYuhkX

21 Abd El-Mgeed El-Ramaly st 7th oorFlat 71 Falaki squareDowntown Cairo Egypt

wwwecppsorgTelFax +202795881

Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017

Monthly observation reportldquoFreedom of Media in Egyptrdquo

October 2017

Prepared byAhmed Abo ElMagd

Reviewed byAhmed Ragab

Cover designed byAhmed Sobhy

The Egyptian Center For Public Policy Studies

All copyrights are reserved to their respective authors

it is permitted to use the data included after citing

the resources any copyright infringement subjects

its perpetrator to legal claims

Issued by Individual Freedom ProgramOctober 2017

wwwecppsorg

TelFax +202795881

21 Abd El-Mgeed El-Ramaly st 7th floorFlat 71 Falaki squareDowntown Cairo Egypt













Economic sphere

Legal sphere

Role of

Civil society

Political sphere



Content

Introduction

Legal sphere

Political sphere

Economic sphere

Media Performance




Introduction












Legal Sphere

















interests































area he said5























country7

The Press Syndicate






































country10







rights and freedo s




























agendas11





















11























12






Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017













Economic sphere

Legal sphere

Role of

Civil society

Political sphere



Content

Introduction

Legal sphere

Political sphere

Economic sphere

Media Performance




Introduction












Legal Sphere

















interests































area he said5























country7

The Press Syndicate






































country10







rights and freedo s




























agendas11





















11























12






Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017



Content

Introduction

Legal sphere

Political sphere

Economic sphere

Media Performance




Introduction












Legal Sphere

















interests































area he said5























country7

The Press Syndicate






































country10







rights and freedo s




























agendas11





















11























12






Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017



Introduction












Legal Sphere

















interests































area he said5























country7

The Press Syndicate






































country10







rights and freedo s




























agendas11





















11























12






Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017



Legal Sphere

















interests































area he said5























country7

The Press Syndicate






































country10







rights and freedo s




























agendas11





















11























12






Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017


















area he said5























country7

The Press Syndicate






































country10







rights and freedo s




























agendas11





















11























12






Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017










country7

The Press Syndicate






































country10







rights and freedo s




























agendas11





















11























12






Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017
















country10







rights and freedo s




























agendas11





















11























12






Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017















agendas11





















11























12






Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017






















12






Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017



Economic Sphere




current EGP 15000


























15












website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017











website16












measures18

16







Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017




Papers




























19




Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017



Events













20




Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017



Monthly observation

Freedom of Media

in EgyptReport

October 2017

monthly observation report freedom of media in egypt ...on october 25, al-youm el-sabea website...

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