The new President of the Journalists’ Syndicate Journalist Khaled El-Balshy. Photo courtesy of His official Facebook page.
In a statement issued Saturday, the council said the election demonstrated “the ability of the journalistic community to express its will in an environment that embraces pluralism and independent decision-making.”
“The process itself embodied the democratic and diverse spirit of Egypt’s media landscape,” the statement added.
The NCHR highlighted the Syndicate’s historic role as one of the oldest professional unions in Egypt and the Arab world, emphasizing its continued importance in defending press freedom, elevating journalistic standards, and serving the public interest.
“Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of civil society,” the council stated, calling it a tool for advancing human rights, promoting justice and transparency, and amplifying public opinion, within the bounds of professionalism and respect for constitutional and legal frameworks.
The NCHR also emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Syndicate in areas such as training, human rights education, and supporting journalists in their role as agents of public awareness.
It praised El-Balshy’s professional record, calling him “a prominent figure in Egyptian journalism” whose career “continues to inspire media professionals across the country.”
El-Balshy, a leftist journalist and former editor known for his advocacy of press freedoms, secured 3,346 votes — 55 percent of the ballots — defeating his closest rival, Abdel Mohsen Salama, a former head of Al-Ahram and member of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, who garnered 2,562.
According to the election committee, 6,051 journalists voted in Friday’s midterm elections out of 10,232 eligible members—a turnout of just over 59 percent.
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