Supreme Media Council: TV host fully responsible for program

CAIRO – 24 January 2018: Head of the Supreme Media Regulatory Council Makram Mohamed Ahmed issued decision No. 2 of 2018 on Wednesday stating that the program presenter bears the full responsibility of the content of shows and hosts.

The programme presenter should warn his/her host in case of violation the principles and laws, and if the guest continues in violation and abuse, the TV host bears the responsibility of explaining the whole issue to the viewers, the decision read.

The issued decision clarified that in case of violation of the rules, the responsibility lies on the TV presenter, editor and director.

“During the last period of time, the television shows have witnessed many violations and abuses of rules, principles, values, customs and also media code of ethics. It has also seen the inaction of the media workers to do their part to prevent these violations, though the program presenter, editor and director have the right to interfere with suspension or prevention of the program, according to the media regulations and law,” the decision clarified.

Ahmed stated that the resolution was issued following the review of law No. 92 of 2016 and presidential decree No. 185 of 2017, in addition to the recommendation of the Monitoring and Complaints Committee.

In one of the most recent cases of inciting violence against citizens, lawyer Mohamed Ahmed Bahnasy, known as Nabih al-Wahsh, took a chance of his appearance on a TV program to declare his violent opinions and thoughts.

Wahsh was a guest on a TV program on October 18, during which he participated in a debate over a draft law aimed at fighting prostitution. He proclaimed that women who wear ripped jeans deserve to be sexually harassed and raped, calling it a “national duty.”

The lawyer’s seditious comments spread quickly, causing public anger and condemnation.

The State Security Emergency Misdemeanor Court then sentenced him to three years in jail on Saturday. Wahsh was charged with threatening public order and security, as well as incitement to harm citizens.