Privacy concerns prompt restrictions on Egypt coach Hossam Hassan

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan has been prohibited from appearing on all media outlets covered by the country’s Press and Media Regulation Law No. 180 of 2018.

The decision was issued by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation and takes effect from the date it was announced.

The council also said it had summoned the legal representatives of several websites to hearings over alleged breaches of rules designed to protect and respect citizens’ private lives.

In an official statement, it warned that stronger legal measures could follow if those rules were breached or if reports concerning the incidents in question were published or circulated again.

The decision follows growing controversy surrounding Hassan and his former wife, Dan Adam. Their dispute has involved mutual accusations and extensive media coverage of details relating to their private lives.

The council’s intervention covers both the Egypt manager’s media appearances and the publication or circulation of reports connected with the dispute.

The Supreme Council for Media Regulation reiterated that citizens’ privacy must be respected. It also warned media organisations against repeating or distributing material relating to the incidents referred to in its statement.

The council said further legal action would be taken if its decision was ignored or if media regulations were breached.