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Media appearance ban list in Egypt extends to reach MPs

March 19, 2019 at 1:03 am

The ban list imposed by Egyptian intelligence services on the appearance of ministers on official and private TV channels has been extended to include MPs.

Well-informed sources revealed to Arabi21 that the ban “has included MPs and other political figures from the regime, such as Mustafa El-Gindy, and others. The ban stipulates that these MPs, as well as other political figures, should not be hosted in live TV interviews.”

The sources added: “There are explicit instructions in Maspero (the headquarters of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union), including the official TV channel and radio, not to host these figures even through telephone interventions. The ban has included all official TV channels, and some private TV channels such as BBC Extra and DMC, with sanctions against those who violate it.”

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Well-informed press sources have previously confirmed to Arabi21 that there have been “instructions issued to the Egyptian government and private TV channels, including radio stations, that ministers will not be hosted in meetings and interviews in all televised programs.”

As for the reasons for the issuance of these instructions, the source explained that: “some ministers have made statements in the TV programs that do not comply with the policy of the state. In addition, improvised statements that come as a result of some spontaneous or unexpected questions, cause confusion and clamour in public opinion. Therefore, it has been decided that their appearance would be only in coordination with the concerned parties.”

Freedom of press in Egypt - Cartoon [Latuff/MiddleEastMonitor]

Freedom of press in Egypt – Cartoon [Latuff/MiddleEastMonitor]