The head of Egypt’s Journalists Syndicate Khaled Elbalshy has renewed calls to amend Article 12 of Law 180 of 2018, which governs the regulation of press and media work. The article restricts press freedoms, especially in field reporting and photography, he said.
Elbalshy made the remarks during a roundtable held yesterday at the syndicate headquarters, attended by journalists currently serving in parliament. The meeting is part of a wider campaign to revise press and media law.
Article 12 states that “print and broadcast journalists, in the course of their duties, are entitled to attend public conferences, sessions, and meetings; conduct interviews with members of the public; and take photographs in public areas where no explicit restrictions apply, after obtaining the necessary permits in cases that require it.” The proposed amendment seeks to remove this final clause: “...after obtaining the necessary permits in cases that require it.”
Elbalshy explained the goal is to “facilitate the work of fellow journalists, especially photographers, and to enhance the value of the syndicate’s union card and credentials from recognized newspapers and websites as the sole permit for practicing journalism.” He also called for a broader overhaul of all laws regulating the profession.
“The union currently holds two draft bills,” Elbalshy said, “one banning custodial penalties in publishing cases, and another on freedom of information. These were among the Sixth General Conference’s key recommendations.”
He confirmed that the syndicate plans to submit both draft laws and the Article 12 amendment to the House of Representatives, with copies to be sent to the government.
MP Nashwa El-Deeb supported the amendment, warning against delays in parliamentary debate. However, journalist and Senate member Emad El-Deen Hussein dismissed efforts to amend Article 12 in the current session as “impractical.” He pointed to the pre-election political climate and the public’s focus on the old rent law.
Syndicate Secretary-General Gamal Abdel Rehim said the union had exerted great efforts recently to amend the article, “but without any response, despite the threat it poses and the need for immediate action.”
MP Mohamed Abdel Aleem noted that collecting 60 signatures from lawmakers would suffice to submit a bill during the current session. “If not this term, the union can coordinate with journalist MPs next session to advance the amendment,” he said.
In parallel, syndicate board member Eman Ouf suggested launching a social media campaign to highlight how Article 12 obstructs journalism. “We need every colleague to share specific incidents where their work was hindered,” she said.
To sustain union backing, Ouf also proposed organizing in-house forums for journalists to speak about their experiences and urged Elbalshy to form a working group to implement the recommendations.
Fellow board member Hesham Younis agreed, adding that mobilization on social media should be accompanied by “behind-the-scenes negotiations to secure political support.”
Elbalshy had launched the campaign to amend Article 12 on May 17, aiming to eliminate the need for special permits in field coverage and public events, and to have the union card and credentials from recognized newspapers and websites as the sole permit for work.
