Egypt’s parliament approved on Monday an 89-article draft law aimed at setting up a syndicate for workers in audio-visual media for the first time.
The head of parliament's Media, Culture and Antiquities Committee Osama Heikal told reporters last week that the draft law stipulates that all those who work in television and radio, including TV anchors and directors, should be Egyptian citizens, university graduates and have a proven record in television and radio media activities.
The syndicate will also be in charge of defending its members, improving their living conditions and drafting a code of ethics for all those who work in audio-visual media activities.
Last week, parliament provisionally approved the law on the “Institutional Regulation of the Press and the Media in Egypt,” which stipulates that three regulatory bodies should be formed to oversee media institutions.
Monday's legislation stipulates that the headquarters of the syndicate will be located in Cairo.
Articles five and six of the law stipulate that media personnel must adhere to the media code of ethics, with violators to face disciplinary action.
The law also stipulates that those working in audio-visual media must not violate people’s privacy or incite violence, and must cite sources for news, respect freedom of expression and individuals' right to rebuttal, honour public morals, and promote community concerns.
