Minister of State for Information Diaa Rashwan met on Tuesday with the heads of Egypt's three media regulatory bodies to discuss the conference agenda and key reform priorities.
The meeting brought together Khaled Abdel Aziz, chairman of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR), Abdel-Sadek El-Shorbagy, chairman of the National Press Authority (NPA), and Ahmed Al-Moslemany, chairman of the National Media Authority (NMA).
The conference follows President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's directive to hold an annual forum for Egypt's media sector and comes after Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met last week with Rashwan and the heads of the three media bodies to discuss preparations.
According to a government statement, Tuesday's meeting was part of a broader series of consultations launched by Rashwan over the past three months with journalists, editors-in-chief, television executives, radio network heads and representatives of media syndicates.
The consultations have involved around 125 media professionals and focused on ways to modernize Egypt's media landscape, strengthen its influence on public opinion and restore its regional standing.
Officials reviewed the recommendations of the Main Committee for the Development of Egyptian Media, which prepared a report containing 105 recommendations for 10 government institutions, media bodies and professional syndicates over periods ranging from three months to three years.
The participants agreed that the December conference will prioritize urgent recommendations that can serve as the foundation for a broader and long-term reform program.
Among the key priorities are proposals for legislative amendments and executive decisions to improve the financial sustainability of Egypt's media sector, particularly public service media institutions, while exploring additional funding sources.
The meeting also stressed the need to develop plans to address the mounting financial burdens facing state-owned press and media institutions, which officials said have limited their ability to modernize operations and improve performance.
Participants agreed that improving journalistic and media content depends on ensuring faster access to accurate information from official sources, guaranteeing the free flow of information, strengthening professional standards and investing in the training of media professionals.
They also highlighted the importance of improving journalists' and media workers' financial conditions while attracting a new generation equipped with modern digital media skills.
The meeting further discussed expanding the reach of printed newspapers, television broadcasting and licensed news websites by enhancing content quality and encouraging partnerships between media organizations and state entities with logistical capabilities to improve the distribution of publications and media content across Egypt.
The consultations are being held in line with President El-Sisi's call to encourage "objective media dialogue that embraces differing viewpoints to enrich public debate and raise awareness in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding," the statement said.
President El-Sisi has directed Rashwan, in coordination with relevant media and press authorities, to convene an annual meeting, tentatively to be held on 3 December, aimed at reviewing the state of Egyptian media, discussing challenges and opportunities, and developing practical recommendations for its continuous improvement.
El-Sisi’s directives took place during his speech at the inauguration of State Strategic Command on 4 July, where he affirmed the importance of opening the door to objective media dialogue and encompassing diverse viewpoints, to enrich discussion and build awareness within a framework of respect and understanding.
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