Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation summons Zamalek Voice over broadcast violations

Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation has summoned the legal representative of Zamalek Voice radio for a hearing over alleged breaches of the media codes.

The council said the action relates to an episode of the Curva Sud programme, presented by Nada al-Husseini, which was broadcast on 10 September.

According to the council, the episode contained violations of the media codes issued by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation. The legal representative of the radio station will attend a hearing to discuss the circumstances surrounding the programme.

The decision comes as the council continues to investigate media coverage concerning the private life of Egypt manager Hossam Hassan and his family.

Earlier, the council announced that representatives of three channels had been called to hearings over coverage involving alleged تجاوزات in the way Hassan’s family’s private affairs had been discussed.

In a statement, the council said it had acted “within the framework of its constitutional and legal responsibility to safeguard the professional and ethical rules governing media work, protect the sanctity of private life and public morals, and regulate media practice”.

It said the three channels had included details of the personal, private and family life of those involved in their coverage, in breach of the media codes and standards issued by the council.

The council also instructed all media and press organisations, websites and social media platforms covered by Egypt’s Press and Media Regulation Law No. 180 of 2018 to prevent Dan Adam, Hossam Hassan’s wife, from appearing on their screens or platforms indefinitely.

They were also told not to publish or make available any content relating to the issue.

The council wrote to the Egyptian Football Association, describing it as the authority with jurisdiction within the football structure, and asked it to take whatever action it considered appropriate regarding Hossam Hassan and the consequences of the recent crisis.

It added: “The respect for private life and public morals is not a restriction on the media. Rather, it is one of the foundations of responsible media, which balances the public’s right to know with individuals’ right to privacy and adheres to the professional and ethical rules and codes issued by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation.”

Egypt are preparing to play Angola and South Sudan in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches at the end of September.