Egypt Calls Upon Correspondents to Abide by Global Professional Standards

Egypt’s State Information Service called international media outlets and specifically their accredited correspondents in Cairo to abide by internationally recognized professional standards in their coverage of Egyptian affairs and news. SIS said in a brief statement this evening that it has carefully monitored what was broadcast and published by global media outlets through their accredited correspondents in Cairo in the past twenty-four hours; in light of this SIS reminds once again all media outlets and correspondents that it is essential that they should strictly abide by professional codes of conduct of the media and the press globally recognized and the following comes in their forefront:

  Correspondents should only publish what that they observe themselves from their known, credible sources that must be confirmed by two other credible sources that have also observed the same incidents with their own eyes in accordance with the codes of conduct.

  In the case of publishing analysis or conclusions or interpretations or expectation, neutrality between all parties should be taken into account and space should be provided for all viewpoints to be presented in an equal manner and that includes the viewpoint of the State or who represents it.

  Social media outlets should not be considered as sources of news or reporting as these sources have an uncontrollable and chaotic nature with the presence of many fake accounts and fabrications; furthermore, in developed nations such sources are not allowed to be used unless under strict regulations and after undergoing many stages of verification.

  All media outlets and correspondents should continue with the policy of using the expressions and vocabulary that reflect the actual truth of the situation in Egypt whether in the present or in the developments that the country has witnessed over the past few years. SIS reiterates that the aforementioned should not override the truth or use terms created by some to be promoted for their own aims and goals.

Any situation should be put in its actual context and should not be exaggerated, taking into account that Egypt is a large nation inhabited by 100 million citizens. Situations should also be placed in their regional and global contexts as many world capitals witness daily incidents without anyone jumping to conclusions or exaggerations that are usually not even remotely close to the truth.

In conclusion SIS reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with all correspondents and international media outlets, and stressed once more its eagerness to facilitate all the conditions for the aforementioned in order to reach the truth on all subjects as long as professionalism and credibility are observed and respected.