Annual Report on: Freedom of Press and Media in Egypt 2017 Annual on: Freedom of PRreses apndo Merdtia in Egypt 2017 Conducted by Ahmed Abo Elmagd Reviewed by Ahmed Ragab Cover designed by Ahmed Sobhy Published year 2017 Annual Report on: Freedom of Press and Media in Egypt 2017 The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies (ECPPS) is a non-governmental, non- party and non-profit organization .It is mission is to propose public policies that aim at reforming the Egyptian legal and economic systems. ECPPS’s goal is to enhance the principles of free market, individual freedom and the rule of law. The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies (ECPPS) 1 Annual Report on: Freedom of Press and Media in Egypt 2017 In 2017, the Egyptian Center for Public Policies Studies issues a monthly monitoring to measure (Legislative climate, political climate, economic climate, media performance and civil society role) in regard to freedom of media and journalism in Egypt, in trying to stand on events, changes, violations which happen and effect on media and journalism statement in Egypt. The Egyptian Center for Public Policies Studies held general interviews and conferences with the participation of many parties and different entities (members of Parliament, members of Press Syndicate, researchers and members of media and journalism councils) just to review, present important events and actors observed over the year. This report includes an “annual detailed report for the statement of media and journalism in Egypt in 2017”. Important events and changes which affected negatively or positively in the climate of freedom of press and media work in Egypt in 2017 in addition to precise recommendations for decision makers based on these events and changes to improve the climate of media and journalism in Egypt. The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies (ECPPS) 2 Annual Report on: Freedom of Press and Media in Egypt 2017 Methodology of the report Freedom of media and press in the face of terrorism Content: The political circumstances surrounding media and press in 2017 Legislative environment The economic environment affecting press and media scene. Performance of Media Regulatory Organizations Performance of Media and Journalism The most prominent violations Recommendations of the report The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies (ECPPS) 3 Annual Report on: Freedom of Press and Media in Egypt 2017 First: Methodology of the report. Otherwise of many entities which issue reports to monitor freedom of Media and Journalism case entitled “El hasad El Mor” translated to “Bitter Harvest” or ( the blackest year For Media and Journalism in history) to come out with prejudges lack objectivity and impartiality and unlike the binky vision which adopted from leaders of Media and Journalism Organizations whether they are officials or syndicalist who try to make any possible way to be better than the previous situations. These institutions deliberate the denial for every negatives and challenges which face media and journalism work in Egypt. The center has adopted a scientific methodology in monitoring and analyzing process to participate in presenting an objective vision to Journalism and Media situation in Egypt just to present recommendations, ideas and theses which help in raising an alternative polices to support the freedom of media and journalism. The report adopts the approach of presentation, monitoring and documentation of legislation and decisions related to the freedom of press and media, as well as serious violations of attacks on journalists and their residence as well as press premises in violation of the Constitution and Egyptian laws and international treaties and covenants. The report also focused on monitoring and documentation to be one of the important documents to put control on the conclusions and support the vision and analyzes of the political climate and its impact on individual freedoms, according to the measurement and monitoring of specific criteria: - The pluralism of media, its diversity and its representation of society. The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies (ECPPS) 4 Annual Report on: Freedom of Press and Media in Egypt 2017 - The independence of media and the extent of its independence from influence, whether the source of influence government or money and others. - Media environment and self-censorship. - Legal framework for information and media activities. - Measurement of transparency in institutions, procedures affecting the production of news and information - The quality of the infrastructure that supports the production of news and information. - Violations and violence against journalists and media professionals. The report used the official and non-official sources as well as national and paper and electronic newspapers. The report also relied mainly on the monthly monitoring reports issued by the Center during 2017, which includes: First: The legislative environment of the press and media. * Developments in laws relating to media, freedom of the press and freedom of information, which are discussed in Parliament, or in specialized trade unions such as the Journalists Syndicate, or are prepared in the government. * News concerning the organization of journalists / media professionals for themselves in independent entities or otherwise to defend the freedom of media. * News on issues that violate the principles of freedom of expression and information in the Egyptian Constitution and international human rights law. * News regarding the accusation and investigation / judgment on the workers of the field or the imposition of sanctions on media institutions and others. The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies (ECPPS) 5 Annual Report on: Freedom of Press and Media in Egypt 2017 * Trying to legalize electronic media and the imposition of registration of sites and electronic radio in accordance with Egyptian laws. Second: The political environment of the press and media * News related to the censorship of the governmental, private media and whether it resulted in the confiscation of the news or prevention it or not actually produced. * News which relating to the refusal to disclose government information on grounds of national security, secrecy or any other reason and the problems which facing journalists to obtain information. * Following up the quality of guests in political programs in general and ensures the existence of a variety of political views and political representation of participating guests and their freedom to express their views without confiscation or censorship as well as the observation of gender diversity and minority representation. *Monitor the community / political violence against journalists and practitioners in the field, whether physical or verbal and the impact on news coverage and their performance of their media work. Third: Economic conditions affecting the press and the media * News related to the ownership of newspapers and media, their integration, sale and purchase by any private entity "businessmen" and the impact on the trends of the media institution. * Monitor how the economic crisis in Egypt affects the development and neutrality of the media in Egypt, such as paper and printing prices, monopoly of specific institutions to print newspapers which may affect the content, advertising monopoly in a particular channel or newspaper and others. * Monitor the cost of establishing new radio, television or new newspaper channels and whether they are appropriate or limited to a particular category that can afford the cost of them. The Egyptian Center for Public Policy Studies (ECPPS) 6 Annual Report on: Freedom of Press and Media in Egypt 2017 Fourth: Media performance -Monitoring the discourse of discrimination and hatred and incitement by the media towards certain groups in society based on their gender, political views, race, religion, and others. -Monitor the balance in the media coverage in terms of care to highlight all views, especially the opposition or not. -Monitoring the self-censorship that may be done by some media to refuse to address the discussion of controversial issues may occur in disagreement with the Authority. Second: Freedom of Press and media in the face of terrorism. Media and Press as supporters of the status in the war against terrorism. Media and Press, especially new media, have played a leading role in uncovering and exposing religious groups that resort to violence, increasing popular rejection of these trends. Media and Press are also working to unite the home front in the battle of the state in the face of terrorism. The actions of state institutions have resulted in policies to control the press and media with restrictions that stifle freedom of opinion and expression. These media and press outlets sometimes lose their independence and thus lose their credibility and their role. In fact, the conceptions that promote human rights on one side and national security on the other side are based on the notion that human rights conventions enshrine limitless rights and that national legislation should therefore be put in place to impose temporary limits on these rights. The human rights conventions and charters already contain a system of restrictions for purposes such as balancing freedoms and the need to confront threats to national security, including the threat of terrorism. The Egyptian Constitution is concerned in more than one place by providing controls and guarantees for the protection of the The Egyptian Center for Public Policy