A newly-founded body that regulates Egyptian publications and broadcasters said it would impose hefty fines on media organisations that use "vulgar language," Gamal Shawqy, head of the council's complaints committee, told state news agency MENA.
The Supreme Council for the Administration of the Media shall impose an "immediate" fine of EGP 200,000 (approx. $11,000) on TV presenters or guests that use "abusive terms" on air, according to Shawky.
If the offence is repeated three times within a six-month period, the licence of the offending organisation will be revoked and the violator will need to apply for a new licence.
Shawqy said the new decision is part of an attempt to curb the use of "offensive language" in the media.
A new code of ethics to regulate how media figures deal with controversial Arab issues will be drawn up and will be binding to members of the Journalists Syndicate and the media personnel syndicate, Shawky said.
The Supreme Council for the Administration of the Media was created late last year under a new media law to regulate the operation of Egyptian media organisations. It has the power to sue, fine or suspend broadcasters or publications.
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