tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003335.post1638364223290256312..comments2024-03-23T00:46:27.084+02:00Comments on Egyptian Chronicles: The new heads of State owned papers are actually not that new nor that revolutionaryZeinobiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12290387395565291310noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003335.post-2521881592054074262012-08-16T23:30:53.726+02:002012-08-16T23:30:53.726+02:00A lot of people talking about the freedom of press...A lot of people talking about the freedom of press, which something important. However the Press code of conduct and code of ethics is something is equally important and vital. In fact both needs each other to survive. <br /><br />The three major state owned news papers lacked respect for so long for both codes (in any form, formal or informal). They were fully steered and served the ruling party political and media agenda and at the same time had no respect for any code of conduct or code of ethics. <br /><br />The fundamental problem is how heads of these 3 newspapers (and others) are appointed. Appointment by the Shura council appointment will remain the door from which all sins cross to the press system. <br /><br />What would be better is the Shura council, supported by Jurisdiction System, approve candidates applications to compete in open elections in each press house only for members/staff. The term should be restricted (e.g. 4 years) and the elected chief editor has no rights to appoint staff in any position that deal with financials (i.e. CFO, head of Accounts...etc). <br /><br />The criteria for approving an applications should be simple: 1) Worked for 5 years in the newspaper 2) have either academic qualification + number of experience years as journalist or have more number of experience years as journalist if he doesn't have the academic qualification, 3) no criminal record or active lawsuit in court, 4) Doesn't hold any other nationality 5) file a financial position declaration and grant access for government auditors to his personal finances 6) Pass on exam in Arabic Language (so we don't get some one who can't speak neither write a proper in Arabic). Plain, simple, objective criteria is very important. <br /><br />The Shura council role should become mentoring the adherence to code of ethics and code of conduct and in case they conclude that there is potential violation they must consult with an appointed judge to review from legal point of view the legal boundaries and decide on / or recommend the proceedings. Such proceedings shouldn't be of punishment nature (jail, public executions..etc) unless the violation is clearly defined under the criminal law. The proceedings is restricted to warnings, suspension of the person for a certain period of time.<br /><br />The main objective is these press houses should become the voice of tax payers, ordinary people, and exercise its role in feeding reliable information / knowledge sharing in both directions (i.e. from state bodies and from ordinary street). <br /><br />All news should be for information sharing... anything beyond that (e.g. praising the president visit to a school) shouldn't be allowed. Elected members of the state (all levels) should be granted access to talk about their own agenda, achievement, and plans against a fees to paid and the article should be clearly marked as paid press article. At the same time, journalist and ordinary people should be granted right to respond and criticize such paid articles published... at no costs. <br /><br />I believe this would bring balance, equality, freedom of press / expression. We will not have elected majority deciding on who head these institutions. We will not have someone brainwashing public opinion with trash articles neither we will have someone bringing down the level of public knowledge down to sea bed. We will not have Journalist crossing the thin line between freedom of press and taboo/red lines (religion, ethnic, moral, ethical...etc). Neither we will have Journalist dealing with rumors instead of dealing with facts, qualified statements, and well researched news. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003335.post-65481428959171090022012-08-11T22:01:28.522+02:002012-08-11T22:01:28.522+02:00--- and the MB shows its true colors already. Al D...--- and the MB shows its true colors already. Al Dostour under investigation for "insulting the President". Not much change since NDP.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003335.post-6135854636254006882012-08-11T20:32:05.252+02:002012-08-11T20:32:05.252+02:00IF Journalists could keep the pressure till turnin...IF Journalists could keep the pressure till turning state owned corporations in to a semi-autonomous public service corporations, it gonna be the biggest step towards Freedom of Press and the Freedom of information transferRasha Ashrafhttp://www.facebook.com/masryabt7lmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003335.post-12410643893865320282012-08-11T18:36:57.775+02:002012-08-11T18:36:57.775+02:00Freedom of the press is an essential pillar of dem...Freedom of the press is an essential pillar of democratic countries, unfortunately the newly elected government has missed a golden opportunity to rectify 60 years of state controlled press media.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8003335.post-15002727790970759552012-08-11T16:57:51.939+02:002012-08-11T16:57:51.939+02:00keep up the pressure but you need to understand if...keep up the pressure but you need to understand if anything direct had been done, on this and other issues, we would have had a coup. A slow inch by inch change process is the only peacful way. However the danger is losing ones way along the road so public pressure and vigilance albeit naive is important.latifanoreply@blogger.com