Egypt’s Minister of State for Information Diaa Rashwan emphasized the vital importance of coordination among government spokespersons, media advisers, and print, broadcast and television media outlets to ensure the rapid flow of accurate information on state and community affairs.
He said providing official accounts of events, decisions, measures and achievements would help close information gaps and prevent the spread of rumors and false reports aimed at undermining state efforts and social stability.
Speaking at an expanded meeting attended by 35 government spokespersons and media advisers, Rashwan said improving their performance was part of presidential directives to enhance Egyptian media and strengthen its role in raising public awareness and positively influencing public opinion.
This requires government officials to provide information promptly and respond to media requests in order to present the facts and the views of state institutions, he added.
Rashwan also pointed to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s repeated calls for opening up the public sphere and allowing space for different opinions on issues and topics within the framework of the Constitution, the law and national interests.
Participants highlighted several challenges, including the spread of inaccurate information and fabricated reports on social media, as well as the reliance of some media outlets on social media as a source of information.
They also raised concerns that some newspapers and websites do not give sufficient attention to information provided by official sources.
The participants called for a clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of government spokespersons and media advisers, greater access to information within their institutions, and advanced training programs for spokespersons, media advisers, journalists and media professionals covering ministries and government institutions.
Rashwan said developing the performance of government spokespersons and media advisers was among the ministry’s main priorities and that training programs for various segments of the media sector were currently being prepared.
He added that the ministry would coordinate with government bodies and media organizations to establish clear mechanisms for continued cooperation and ensure the timely and adequate flow of information.
He also said the ministry would establish a framework for sustained coordination among government spokespersons and media advisers to prevent contradictions in the state’s media messaging.
He noted that several ministries and state bodies were working to regulate social media use and limit risks such as privacy violations.
Rashwan concluded by saying that efforts were underway to accelerate the issuance of a freedom of information law that would require government bodies to provide information to citizens, the public and the media, and regulate the ways in which such information is transmitted and shared.
