CAIRO — President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced April 11 the formation of the National Media Council and its National Press Organization and National Media Organization. Concerns over freedom of the media have been raised among media staff, however, given that figures opposing the ruling regime were excluded from the formation.

Constitution Article 211 stipulates, “The National Media Council is an independent entity that has a legal personality; enjoys technical, financial and administrative independence; and has an independent budget. The council regulates the affairs of radio, television, and printed and digital press, among others.”

Based on that, the council, headed by pro-Sisi journalist Makram Mohamed Ahmed, who was previously the head of the Press Syndicate under the Mubarak regime, will have the upper hand in the media sector. Under the Institutional Regulation of the Press and the Media Law passed in December, the council’s most prominent task is to advise on relevant draft laws and regulations; receive notices for the establishment of newspapers; issue licenses for the establishment and operation of audio, visual and digital media outlets; and develop and implement rules and regulations to ensure that media outlets and press institutions are abiding by the ethical standards of the profession and not causing harm to national security.

The National Press Organization, headed by journalist Karam Gaber, who chaired the Rose al-Yusuf Institution under the Mubarak regime and is known for his stances favoring Sisi, assumes the management of the state-owned press. The National Media Organization, headed by Hussein Zein, manages the state-owned media outlets to provide press, digital, audio and visual production, and broadcasting services. Both organizations also assume a censorship role over private satellite channels and newspapers, without being entitled to manage them.