“In issuing a media code of ethics it is not the government's intention to restrict freedom of expression,” Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb told owners of private TV channels and senior officials of the Egyptian Radio and TV Union (ERTU) during a meeting on Sunday. The Ministry of Information had formulated the code, he continued, as a first step towards regulating the media's performance in a way that harms neither the interests of the citizens or those of the nation. Mehleb highlighted the role played by the media ahead of the 30 June Revolution. “Rebuilding Egypt is a responsibility everybody shares though the media has shouldered much of that responsibility,” he said. On Friday Minister of Information Doreya Sharafeddin claimed that in imposing a media code of ethics the government was responding to public demand. “The code is not a governmental proposal though it has been drafted by referring to the codes of ethics currently in use in several Arab and non-Arab states,” she said. Once finalised the code will be signed by representatives from all audio-visual media organisations after which it will be binding. Ahmed Sabri, editor-in-chief of Sada Al-Balad news website, praised the intentions behind the code and demanded it be imposed quickly. “It should be put to discussion without delay. There are already far too many websites which rely on reporting fabricated news to achieve high viewing figures,” he said. Others working in the media have criticised not only the code but the manner in which the government is going about its promulgation. Leading journalist Hamdi Qandil questions why Mehleb opted to meet with the owners of channels to discuss the code of ethics. “Any code of ethics basically addresses those who work in the media, not the people who own media outlets... The prime minister erred when he chose to meet the owners of channels without media workers or journalists present,” Qandil wrote on his Twitter account. He suggested that media staff should move quickly to establish their own syndicate. Then at least, he argued, “the minister of information will have someone to talk to rather than conducting an imaginary dialogue ahead of the government imposing a code tailored to its own convenience”. Media expert Yasser Abdel-Aziz is also critical of Sharafeddin's proposal. “Professional syndicates are the proper channel for discussing any media code of ethics. It is unacceptable for the government to seek to impose a code of ethics without involving those who work in the media in prior discussions,” he said. Several recent reports have highlighted growing restrictions on media freedom, the increasing influence of businessmen and advertising agencies over what is broadcast and the proliferation of politicised news content which combined make it ever more difficult for consumers to access neutral, unbiased and balanced information. Press Syndicate Chairman Diaa Rashwan also criticised the draft being touted by the information minister. “It recommends for a small group of media personalities, supposedly loved by the public, to be responsible for receiving and investigating complaints and imposing sanctions in cases it seems violate the ethics' code, all of which is contrary to the 2014 constitution,” Rashwan told CBC channel during a telephone interview. The 2014 constitution envisaged two independent councils — a National Media and National Press Council — managing media affairs, allowing for the eventual abolition of the Ministry of Information. Yet three months after the approval of the constitution no steps have been taken to set up the bodies. “Legislation is urgently needed to set up a supreme council that could reorganise the media and ensure its complete independence from the state as the constitution requires,” said Radwan. In his last speech as president Mohamed Morsi referred to the urgent need for a media code of ethics. A day after he was removed the army issued a statement reiterating the call. In September 2013 interim President Adli Mansour said during a meeting with journalists, that a code of ethics guaranteeing press freedom and professionalism was a priority yet in the intervening months no progress was made towards formulating such a code. It is the timing of Sharafeddin's announcement of the draft that caused Cairo University professor Safwat Al-Alim to raise his eyebrows. In an interview with ONTV channel Alim suggested it was no mere coincidence that the Ministry of Information finally decided to act hours after Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi announced he was standing in this month's presidential elections. “Why hasn't the ministry addressed the issue in the last nine months, during which we have witnessed a chaotic media free for all?” he asked.
