Osama Heikal, head of parliament's Culture, Media and Antiquities Committee, told reporters Saturday that the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) will meet Sunday to investigate complaints lodged against the TV channel Al-Hadath Al-Youm (The Event Today).

Heikal, also chairman of Egypt's Media Production City, revealed that Al-Hadath channel is accused of selling air time, violating intellectual property rights, directing insults to certain institutions, extorting citizens and breaching the media code of ethics.

Meanwhile, the Syndicate of Media Workers announced Saturday that it has urged "all those who work in official and private audio-visual channels to go to the headquarters of the syndicate to obtain a legal license."

"All those who work in the fields of reporting, hosting, editing, corresponding and directing in audio and visual channels should seek a license from the syndicate within two months, or face a legal action," said syndicate chairman Tarek Seada.

The Syndicate of Media Workers has taken legal measures against a number of TV presenters in recent weeks on grounds that they do not have licenses. Al-Hayat TV Channel's presenter Riham Said was referred to investigation over derogatory comments made about overweight women.

Action was also taken against El-Nahar's TV presenter Tamer Amin after the National Council of Women complained that he had insulted the husband of swimming champion Rania Elwani. Said and Amin are also being investigated over claims they are working without a license.

Saeda said, “Those who will seek a prior license will have to face an interview with an evaluation committee which will decide whether the applicant should obtain a license or not."