The Egyptian Press Union has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of electronic journalists, emphasizing that they deserve the same rights and protections as traditional journalists. According to Khaled El-Balshi, the union's head, electronic journalists should be allowed to organize and join the union. El-Balshi stressed that the protection should be for the journalists themselves, not just the owners of media institutions. The union has taken steps to recognize and regulate the status of electronic journalists.
El-Balshi explained that the union has been working to defend the rights of imprisoned journalists and include them in the lists of those the union defends. This effort has led to the release of several electronic journalists. The union has also been involved in initiatives to improve the working conditions and wages of electronic journalists within various media institutions. The issue of regulating the status of electronic journalists has been on the union's agenda for some time.
The union's efforts to regulate the status of electronic journalists have been met with some resistance. El-Balshi noted that there are different views on the matter, but the union is committed to finding a solution that works for everyone. He explained that the union's law, which dates back to 1970, was based on the idea of uniting all journalists in Egypt, including those working in print, agencies, and online media.
El-Balshi discussed the evolution of the law governing the press in Egypt. He noted that the law has undergone several changes, with the most recent change recognizing electronic media as a legitimate form of journalism. The law now provides equal rights and obligations for electronic and print journalists. However, the implementation of this law has been challenging.
The union had proposed amendments to the law to provide clearer guidelines for electronic journalists. However, this effort was put on hold due to concerns that it could be misinterpreted and potentially harm press freedoms. El-Balshi explained that he had consulted with members of parliament, but they advised against introducing the amendments at that time.
As an alternative, the union has offered electronic journalists the option of becoming associate members. However, this move has been met with criticism from some electronic journalists who feel that it does not go far enough. El-Balshi emphasized that the union is committed to finding a solution that works for everyone and that the final decision will be made by the union's general assembly.
El-Balshi stressed that integrating electronic journalists into the union requires certain financial and institutional guarantees to ensure the seriousness of media institutions and protect the rights of their employees. He suggested that the Higher Media Council could play a role in monitoring these guarantees to ensure stability. The union will continue to work on the issue until a comprehensive solution is found that guarantees the rights of electronic journalists and protects the journalism profession.
Key points
- The Egyptian Press Union is committed to protecting the rights of electronic journalists and finding a solution that works for everyone.
- The union has proposed amendments to the law to provide clearer guidelines for electronic journalists, but this effort has been put on hold.
- The union's general assembly will make the final decision on the status of electronic journalists.
