Egypt media council bans TV appearances by Hossam Hassan’s wife

The Supreme Council for Media Regulation has summoned representatives of three television channels for hearings over their coverage of alleged breaches involving the private life of the family of Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan.

The council said the hearings would examine the circumstances surrounding the coverage, which it said had included details of Hassan’s personal and family life in breach of the media codes and standards it has issued.

In a statement, the council said: “As part of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation’s 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, the council has decided to take a number of measures concerning media coverage related to the private life of Hossam Hassan’s family.”

The council also ordered 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, Hassan’s wife, from appearing on their screens or platforms indefinitely.

They have also been instructed not to publish or make available any content relating to the matter.

The council said the three channels’ coverage had dealt with private, personal and family details, contrary to the relevant professional codes and media standards.

It has written to the Egyptian Football Association, as the body with jurisdiction within the country’s football structure, asking it to take whatever action it considers appropriate towards Hassan in light of the latest developments.

The council added: “Respect for private life and public morals is not a restriction on the media. Rather, it is one of the foundations of responsible journalism, which balances the public’s right to know with individuals’ right to privacy, and abides by 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.