CAIRO — Egypt’s top media regulator has wasted no time in using newly enacted bylaws to impose sanctions on a news site, yet critics claim the body is overstepping its role and limiting freedom of the press.

Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation issued March 21 a decision to block El-Mashhad news site for six months and impose a fine of 50,000 Egyptian pounds (nearly $2,900) for the insult and defamation of women involved in sex cases with a well-known director. The decision was based on regulations the council established in new bylaws approved March 18 concerning sanctions that may be imposed on entities subject to law No. 180 of 2018 that regulates the press, media and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation.

The regulation ignited controversy in the press and media circles, particularly since the council is entitled under Article 5 of the regulation to ban the publication of media material if it violates said law and regulation. In addition, Article 6 of the regulation gives the council the right to block a website and revoke the satellite broadcast license from a media outlet in case of a broadcast of banned media materials. The regulation makes applicable a fine of up to 250,000 Egyptian pounds (roughly $14,500) for media violations. Also, a penalty of up to 5 million pounds ($298,000) is imposed in the event of intellectual property infringement, according to Article 26 of the regulation. 

Diaa Rashwan, chairman of the Syndicate of Journalists, said in a March 19 press statement that the syndicate’s board will discuss the regulation. He added that the syndicate will resort to all of the legal tools to safeguard the journalists’ rights in accordance with the following articles of the constitution: Article 70 on the freedom of the press and printing; Article 71 that prohibits censorship, suspension and closure of Egyptian media outlets; Article 72 that sets forth that the state guarantees the independence of press institutions; and Article 77 on the establishment of syndicates.