Photo courtesy of Egypt's cabinet
In the first meeting, PM Madbouly met with Minister of State for Information Diaa Rashwan to discuss mechanisms for implementing the president’s directives issued during Saturday’s inauguration of the State Strategic Command Headquarters in the New Capital.
The discussions covered expanding objective media dialogue, coordinating with press and media bodies to hold an annual conference under presidential patronage to review the state of Egyptian media, and evaluating the performance of media offices across ministries as part of efforts to improve public communication.
At the end of the first meeting, PM Madbouly directed Minister Rashwan to present to the cabinet his vision on various media files, as well as his assessment of ministerial media offices, including a clear action plan for the coming period.
In the second meeting, attended by senior economic and media officials, Madbouly followed up on efforts to settle the debts of national press institutions and to ensure their financial sustainability through practical measures and improved asset management.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Hussein Eissa, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of State for Information Diaa Rashwan, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rustom, National Press Authority Chairman Abdel-Sadeq El-Shorbagy, and officials from the relevant bodies.
Madbouly said the government attaches great importance to settling the debts of press institutions in the implementation of presidential directives supporting Egyptian media, particularly national press institutions.
He affirmed that resolving the issue would strengthen the national role of these institutions and enable them to carry out their media mission more effectively.
Madbouly also noted that the government is committed to implementing the president's directives by giving priority to keeping the public informed, particularly amid current challenges and the spread of rumours.
He said the government holds a weekly press conference after cabinet meetings to explain decisions on issues of public concern, with relevant ministers attending to clarify procedures and executive steps taken by their ministries to facilitate access to government services.
The prime minister added that ministers and government officials have been instructed to maintain regular communication with media outlets to explain government policies and decisions and respond to public inquiries.
Madbouly said he is following up with Rashwan on meetings held with press and media councils and regulatory bodies to coordinate positions and exchange views on developing Egypt's media sector, including both public and private media institutions.
He said these efforts aim to promote constructive dialogue based on respect for different opinions, enrich debate, and build awareness.
Minister Rashwan said the ministry would translate the president’s directives into clear mechanisms through coordination with various media institutions.
He reviewed several aspects of the ministry's work, including proposals to secure sustainable financing for public service media from sources outside the state budget to ensure the continuity of these services.
Rashwan noted that the ministry is currently evaluating the performance of media offices across ministries as part of efforts to improve their role in serving the state’s vision to keep the public informed about key issues.
He stressed the importance of regular communication between officials at these media offices and various media outlets.
The minister added that coordination is underway with relevant ministries and authorities to expedite the issuance of a freedom of information law, saying the government remains committed to the measure.
On Saturday, El-Sisi directed the government to promote objective media dialogue that includes different viewpoints, saying this would enrich public debate and raise awareness within a framework of mutual respect and understanding.
He also instructed Minister Rashwan to coordinate with the relevant press and media bodies to hold an annual meeting, initially on 3 December each year, under presidential patronage, to review the state of Egyptian media, discuss challenges and opportunities, and issue practical recommendations for its continuous development.
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