(Photo by Hassan Ibrahim\DNE File)
The Press Syndicate on Saturday commended the efforts of Constituent Assembly members in pushing forward articles guaranteeing freedom of the press and journalism, while adding that they would continue to push for such rights.
In a meeting chaired by syndicate head Diaa Rashwan, the organisation stressed that such articles “reflect the struggle faced by journalists over many decades” adding that “the demands for freedom of press are pursuant to the demands put forth in the revolutions’ of 25 January and 30 June.“
Rapporteur of the Political Regime committee Amr Al-Shoubaki held a conference Monday in correspondence with a closed Constituent Assembly session, in which members voted on a number of freedoms and rights articles.
“Two articles will be included in relation to the rights and freedoms of the press,” Shoubaki said. “Democratically stable states do not have state-owned newspapers, which is a future press goal in Egypt.”
Shoubaki proposed the “creation of an institution separate to the executive power that organises broadcasting and creates a set of rules to regulate different forms of press.”
The syndicate meeting also addressed the national press institutions and called on them to repay debts owed to the syndicate, calculated at 1% of newspaper advertising proceeds, and warning that “legal action will be sought against institutions that are overdue on repayment.”
The syndicate meanwhile agreed to refer the editor-in-chief of Al Dostour newspaper to investigation after several complaints by employees of the newspaper cited mistreatment and unfair dismissal.
It went on to address the Supreme Press Council about the “legal situation” of Al Dostour newspaper, in relation to the “continuous change of editors in chief without notifying the syndicate.”
