The State Information Service (SIS), headed by Diaa Rashwan, called on international media outlets, specifically their accredited correspondents in Egypt, to abide by internationally recognised professional standards in their coverage of Egyptian affairs.
The SIS, a state-affiliated media institution, said in a Saturday statement that it carefully monitored all what was published by global media outlets during the past 24 hours, therefore it repeated its call for all foreign media outlets and accredited correspondents to strictly abide by professional codes of conduct of the media and the press.
The state body instructed correspondents to publish what they only observe themselves, or from credible sources that must be confirmed by two other credible sources who have also observed the same incidents with their own eyes.
It also said that in case of publishing any analytical content, correspondents should ensure that the content reported is neutral, and provide viewpoints in a neutral manner, which includes the viewpoint of the state or its representative.
The SIS warned of using sensationalist terminology or expressions that are instigative against the state and to only use those reflecting the actual truth of the situation in Egypt, whether in the present or in the past.
Moreover, it asserted the importance of reporting any situation in its actual context and not to exaggerate.
Furthermore, the SIS concluded by reaffirming its commitment to cooperating with all correspondents and international media outlets.
Several foreign media outlets, including Agence France-Presse (AFP), reported claims of arrests and clashes between Egyptian protesters and security forces during the past two days.
Minor and rare groups of people gathered in Tahrir Square – an iconic spot of the 2011 Revolution – late on Friday chanting against the government in different cities in the country. Also, on Saturday, social media users published videos and photos of protests in the governorate of Suez, then foreign media outlets reported protests in the country.
