On Sunday the Higher Council for Media Regulation (HCMR) forwarded letters to the Press Syndicate and the Media Personnel Syndicate activating a new code of ethics. In a press conference held on Saturday afternoon at the council's headquarters, head of the Complaints Committee Gamal Shawki said the ethical code allows “journalists and media personnel to express criticism without prejudicing individuals”. “The code means criticism must now be based solely on objective arguments and not include insults or slander.” On sanctions included in the code Shawki said: “The Press Syndicate and Media Personnel Syndicate possess their own mechanisms to ensure compliance. Syndicates will be approached by the council in the event of any violation of the code. It will be up to them to assess accountability and decide on the appropriate penalty.” Three days earlier the HCMR approved a draft resolution which would allow hefty fines to be levied on media organisations found guilty of broadcasting “offensive” material. Shawki told the state-owned news agency MENA that the council could impose a fine of up to LE200,000 on TV presenters hosting guests who use “abusive terms or indecent words” and a fine of LE100,000 on the broadcast channel. Should a violation be repeated three times within a six-month period, or if the channel does not pay the fine within the same period, the draft resolution stipulates withdrawal of the channel's broadcast licence. “These decisions are part of an attempt to restrain the use of offensive and vulgar language in the media,” Shawki said. Legislation approved by parliament late last year and ratified by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi mandated the creation of a HCMR to regulate the operation of media outlets. It was given authority to sue, fine or suspend broadcasters and publications. In April Al-Sisi issued a decree appointing the heads and members of three media organisations, the National Media Organisation (NMO) and the National Press Organisation (NPO) as well as the HCMR. On 8 June, Al-Sisi met with HCMR Chairman Makram Mohamed Ahmed, Karam Gabr, head of the NPO, Hussein Zein, head of the NMO and Diaa Rashwan, the newly-appointed chairman of the State Information Service (SIS). Presidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef said Al-Sisi congratulated them on their new posts and “underlined the importance of the media in acquainting citizens with the latest national and international developments”. The president said he was looking forward to the HCMR, NPO and NMO encouraging all domestic media outlets to adhere to international professional standards. According to Youssef, Al-Sisi also highlighted their role in entrenching social values of tolerance, coexistence and acceptance of the other. “The president confirmed the state's commitment to freedom of expression and thought and its condemnation of incitement to violence and threats to national security,” said Youssef.
