Media News - Monday, July 21, 2008

Egypt media under renewed attack by state

The government in Egypt is reviewing a draft law from the ministry of information that would make transmission of audio and visual materials from Egypt more difficult. The law, currently under consideration by government oversight bodies, would give Cairo the authority to restrict and monitor transmissions that originate in Egypt. The ministry of information refused to comment to the Middle East Times on the proposed law, saying "it is currently under review and we do not want to reveal the full extent of the law before it is finalized." Foreign reporters are worried that the new law seems to include them and is intended to restrict the information they can broadcast home. Rights groups and journalists were already enraged by a joint Egyptian/Saudi proposal calling for broadcast regulations at an Arab League meeting of foreign ministers earlier this year. The controversial charter, Principles for Regulating Satellite Broadcast and Television Transmission and Reception in the Arab Region, was condemned widely by media watchdogs for its calls to member states to ensure that satellite channels do not disrupt social order, unity and morale. The draft law requires those responsible for "transmission" to observe the "audience's right to receive accurate information" and "not to have a negative affect on social harmony, national unity, nationalism, public order and public morale." Worries abound over the addition of "computer networks" into the charter. Analysts say the proposal is an attempt to quiet Internet bloggers and journalists from reporting on events deemed inappropriate by Arab governments. (Middle East Times)

Bookmark this : | Listen to this article | Sphere: Related Content

• Home |
• Seminars  |
• Events |
• Media Landscape |
• Newsroom|
• Media News|
• Resources

Terms of service and Privacy policy.

Copyright © 1992-2007 European Journalism Centre. All rights reserved.

Valid XHTML and CSS.

European Journalism Centre

Sonneville-lunet 10
6221KT Maastricht
The Netherlands

Tel. : +31 43 325 40 30
Fax : +32 2 400 42 20

E-mail: info[at]ejc.net