Journalists Syndicate defends critical media after Sisi’s criticism

Egypt’s Journalists Syndicate stressed the importance of “constructive criticism” on Monday in the wake of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s criticism of media and journalism a day earlier, when he expressed disgruntlement with local media’s coverage of the government.

“Constructive criticism is the way to build a state with justice and freedom regardless of how strong it is or its nature or the person who is being criticised,” the statement read.

It also added that the only way to adjust the media performance in Egypt was through specific journalistic and media legislation.

In his speech on Sunday at an educational conference organised by the Egyptian armed forces in Cairo, El-Sisi criticised the media over its treatment of various crises in the country, most notably last week in Alexandria when floods left five dead, as well as majorly disrupting daily life.

‪”I heard a media personality saying that the president was holding talks with representatives of foreign companies while Alexandria was sinking. Speaking like that is totally unacceptable. We can’t deal with our problems this way,” he said, referring to TV host Khaled Abu Bakr who criticised him during the flooding in Alexandria.

According to the Journalists Syndicate statement, drafts of legislation to organise media and journalism in Egypt have been finalised. However, the statement added, more than three months have passed and they have not been approved or ratified.

“The way to adjust the media performance, to stop the defamation campaigns as well the attacks on personal lives where private personal calls are aired live on TV, is through legislations to organise media in Egypt,” the statement said.

“The Journalists Syndicate calls on the president and the government to discuss and issue as soon as possible laws regulating media and journalism in Egypt.”

Egypt’s Journalists Syndicate also called on the government to approve a law so that a media syndicate can be founded for those working in television.

source: Ahram Online