Egyptian website editors agree to ban funeral photography at media meeting

Editors-in-chief of Egyptian news websites unanimously agreed Monday to ban all photography of funerals and mourning ceremonies, as Information Minister Diaa Rashwan urged the sites to form a unified body.

• Editors-in-chief met Monday at the ministry headquarters with Minister of State for Information Diaa Rashwan.
• The editors unanimously agreed to ban photography of funerals and mourning ceremonies for any citizen and to hold violating colleagues accountable.
• Rashwan called on the websites to form a unified body representing them as institutions, not individuals, to address their problems with one voice.
• Rashwan stated Egypt has about 281 licensed news websites alongside dozens of unlicensed ones.
• Rashwan affirmed that digital journalism is a core component of Egypt's media system.
• He said the first Egyptian Media Conference, scheduled for December, will discuss developing Egyptian media and opening dialogue to diverse opinions.
• He noted the meeting was the seventh in a series with various media stakeholders to address challenges facing Egyptian media.
• Rashwan said the state prioritizes swift drafting of a freedom of information law, in line with the constitution and citizens' right to information.
• He said multiple ministries are crafting a comprehensive vision to regulate social media, including filing public-interest lawsuits over attacks on societal values.
• Editors raised concerns over the spread of rumors and harm to privacy via social media, calling for state action.
• Rashwan proposed the unified body accept only institutional organizations, modeled on the cinema chamber created in 1947.
• Rashwan urged outlets to prioritize accuracy over speed and presented a ministry plan to ease the flow of official information.