Egypt media fear reprisals

Several Egyptian satellite channels have warned of reprisals against them as chairman of the country’s Shura Council Culture and Information Committee Fatehi Shihab plans to submit a code of honour for media organisations. OnTV chief Albert Shafik told Arabstoday the new law represents a “ploy by the ruling regime,” given media channels’ alleged reputation of being anti-Muslim Brotherhood. “Satellite channels show the true picture of events in Egypt today,” he said. “We’ve already seen several attempts by the government to restrict the freedom of these broadcasters.” Shafik cited President Mohammed Morsi’s alleged attempts to close both the Dream and Faraeen channels as examples of the government working against the media. Mohamed Hani, a director at Egypt’s CBC channel, also claimed Shihab’s proposed law aims to “eliminate criticism of the ruling regime.” “How will this new law work?” Hani asked. “Will it be applied to all channels or just the ones who oppose President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood?” Mohammed Khader, a manager at Dream, meanwhile said: “This law is an affront on Egyptian media because it aims to gag the opposition.” “I’m afraid this law is simply political revenge meted out against opponents of the regime,” he claimed.