Egyptian Minister of State for Media, Dr. Diaa Rashwan, met with heads of licensed news websites in Egypt to discuss ways to develop the country's media landscape. The meeting, which was the seventh in a series of meetings with various media elements, aimed to address the challenges facing the Egyptian media. Dr. Rashwan emphasized the importance of digital press and news websites in conveying news and images to citizens.
During the meeting, Dr. Rashwan explained the tasks of the Ministry of State for Media, as assigned by the President, and the main tasks of the Ministry, which were issued by the Prime Minister. He stressed that the Ministry plays a coordinating role between media institutions and between them and state agencies, and contributes to developing the performance of the Egyptian media. Dr. Rashwan also presented a plan to provide accurate and rapid information from ministries and official bodies to the media.
The heads of news websites praised the return of the Ministry of State for Media as an umbrella for all components of the media system, achieving communication and coordination between these components, and with state ministries and agencies. They discussed some of the problems facing electronic media, including the lack of information flow from ministries and state agencies, and the failure of official spokespersons to provide information on topics related to their ministries.
The heads of news websites also discussed the problems faced by journalists working in these websites, and the need for a body to collect and organize their institutions to solve problems and challenges. They called for measures to be taken by the state to stop the spread of rumors and incorrect news on social media, and to protect the values of society and the privacy of individuals and families.
Dr. Rashwan stated that there is a great interest from the state in preparing a law on freedom of information, as stipulated in the constitution, and in organizing the work of social media through legislative, legal, and executive procedures. He added that the Ministry of State for Media is moving to file a lawsuit in the public interest in cases of using social media to attack the values of society and the privacy of individuals.
The meeting concluded with a collective decision to completely ban media coverage of funerals and mourning ceremonies for any citizen, and to punish any violators, even if they publish on personal social media pages. This decision was made out of respect for the feelings of Egyptian families, the values of society, and the privacy of individuals.
The decision was made in line with the professional rules of journalism, and the attendees agreed that the ban on covering funerals and mourning ceremonies is essential to maintain the dignity and respect of the deceased and their families. The meeting was attended by several heads of news websites, including representatives from Ahl Misr, Sada El-Arab, and Al-Youm Al-Sabaa.
Key points
- Egyptian news websites have agreed to ban coverage of funerals and mourning ceremonies to respect the feelings of Egyptian families and the values of society.
- The Ministry of State for Media is working to develop the Egyptian media landscape and regulate the work of social media.
- A law on freedom of information is being prepared to ensure the right of citizens to obtain information.
