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Egypt Press Syndicate condemns Health Ministry's alleged media obstruction Video showed ministry spokesperson Khaled Mogahed snatching phones from reporters in Qena
Egypt's Press Syndicate has condemned an incident in which Ministry of Health and Population Spokesperson Khaled Mogahed allegedly attempted to stop journalists in Qena from reporting on an official visit by Minister Hala Zayed. A video circulated on social media groups run by journalists showed Mogahed approaching a group of reporters who were taking a video via their phones. The spokesperson can be seen approaching and blocking a person who was filming, eventually taking the phone according to testimonies. The incident allegedly took place this week during a visit by Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed to Upper Egypt to inspect government health institutions. Daily News Egypt could not verify the authenticity of the video's content. The syndicate accused Mogahed of preventing the journalists from performing their work. It added that it received similar complaints in previous contexts and occasions, "in which the syndicate tried to solve it but did not reach positive results." The Ministry of Health and Population has not commented on the incident. In a statement on Tuesday, the Press Syndicate's General Council demanded that Zayed take the necessary practical measures in cooperation with the syndicate and press institutions. This would take place "in order to facilitate the work of fellow journalists in the regular and effective coverage of the Ministry's large and wide activities that are important in preserving the health of all Egyptians." It also demanded that Zayed investigate the incident and take the necessary measures, "to preserve the dignity of fellow journalists."
