The Media Act is expected to be sent to parliament at the end of the month once it’s been reviewed by the Egyptian Council of State (Maglis El-Dawla), sources tell Al Borsa. Among the legislation’s contentious articles are ones that enforce a EGP 500k licensing fee for media websites. Many, including Cairo University journalism professor Mahmoud Khalil, have voiced complaints that this condition would greatly restrict growth in online media. Proponents of the law, including the former Press Syndicate head Diaa Rashwan (one of the bill’s authors) feels that is precisely the point: Proponents argue that the law aims to establish a standard of quality for journalism and the high fee would help enforce that. (He obviously doesn’t watch evening talkshows…) Others also criticised the act’s appointment of the head of the proposed national media regulatory authority, which they feel should be an elected position.