A government report on media performance in the lead-up to the parliamentary poll has charged state-run television with exhibiting bias towards ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) candidates and businessmen. The report, issued on Saturday, posits some shows on local and national channels host figures who seemingly favor the NDP and its affiliates. Those NDP figures are given disportionate media attention, the report says. Such practice, according to the report, should be avoided. The committee who headed the report's publishing says "Sabah al-Kheir ya Masr" (Good Morning Egypt)--a daily program aired on state-run television--provides indirect publicity for Minister of Petroleum Sameh Fahmi. The committee asserts another state-run channel, Nile Life, hosted an NDP candidate--also the head of a social development association--who discussed in detail the activities of his organization. Committee members say this constitutes inappropriate media campaigning. Nile Life broadcast a report that highlighted the candidate's achievements, according to the report. The committee cites this as a flagrant violation of balanced media coverage. The news bulletin on state-run channel one also reported on Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif's visit to Helwan in which he was accompanied by parliamentary contender Minister of Military Production Sayyed Mashaal. The committee said this could be viewed as an attempt to circumvent the rules because the minister in question is vying for a parliamentary seat. Regarding radio channels, the committee said they have given increased attention to NDP activities throughout Egypt's governorates. The committee also criticized some media outlets for casting doubt on the integrity of the election process, saying this violates professional standards for election coverage. The report called for avoiding reporting that would undermine the election and cause the people to refrain from voting.
