An Information Ministry by any other name? The divisive draft Media Act is reportedly now with the House of Representatives in its new and updated form, Al Masry Al Youm reports. The government appears to have divided the proposed law into bills: one regulating the profession and the other for media institutions. Together, they would protect journalists from arrest or state interference, guarantee freedom from censorship, and extend some measure of protection to sources. On the other hand, they establish a Supreme Media Council with widespread oversight power over the industry. The Council has the authority to ban the dissemination of foreign news for national security reasons (opening the prospect of direct censorship of newspapers and the internet) and can ban the publication of inflammatory news or news that might be detrimental to the “peace and stability” of the country.

The bill mandates that editors-in-chief must be card carrying members of the Press Syndicate and sets minimum capital requirements of EGP 3 mn for a daily newspaper and EGP 500k for news websites. Ownership of Egyptian media would be restricted to Egyptian nationals and citizens.

The law’s introduction comes at a contentious time in relation between the press and the state. Beyond the two-year sentences of senior leaders of the Press Syndicate, state-owned Al Ahram raised the price for all newspapers which use its printing presses 80% on Monday, Al Mal reports. The decision has caused an outcry among the heads of publishing houses including Al Shorouk. Meanwhile, Legal Affairs Minister Magdy Al Agaty came out against state-owned media bodies such as the State Information Service, saying that it along with the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (Maspero) will be reorganized and restructured under the new act, AMAY reports.