Khaled Elbalshy, head of the Journalists’ Syndicate, has condemned the Ministry of Transport’s complaint against Veto Gate newspaper, warning that dragging reporters into court is no way to deal with critical reporting.
In a Facebook post today, Elbalshy asserted that the ministry's complaint reflected a worrying trend in the absence of clear rules for the free flow of information.
This comes in light of the ministry's yesterday announcement that it had lodged a complaint with the public prosecutor and the Supreme Media Regulatory Council against Egyptian newspaper Veto Gate.
The move came over a report published as part of a series entitled “The Republic of Advisors: A Shadow Government Costing Millions and Raising Questions.” The ministry dismissed the report’s content as “rumors and lies,” announcing it had filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor and the Supreme Council for Media Regulation “to take the necessary measures.”
The disputed report, titled “The Transfer Into Honorary Positions,” focused on the practice of granting honorary “advisor” roles to senior officials removed from their posts until retirement age. The Veto report argued that this system entrenches favoritism and burdens the state budget without adding real value.
“Taking journalists to court is not the proper way to handle press criticism or even potential professional mistakes. Publishing available information and circulating news within a framework of professionalism and objectivity is a fundamental right for journalists,” Elbalshy said.
He urged government institutions to use their legal right of reply to clarify or contest inaccurate reporting, rather than resorting to lawsuits that signal intolerance of criticism. “The right of reply will remain the most effective tool for official institutions to set the record straight,” he said.
The syndicate head further emphasized that ensuring professional accountability and correcting errors are essential to raising standards and building trust between the press and state institutions. He renewed his call for a freedom of information law, stressing that access to reliable data is a fundamental right for citizens.
Elbalshy also called on the transport ministry to replace legal complaints with replies or to raise concerns through the journalists’ union. He expressed solidarity with Veto reporters, praising their decision to publish the ministry’s statement and to reaffirm their professional and ethical commitments.
Veto, in response, asserted that “resorting to the judiciary is a legitimate right for everyone, but dialogue between the press and government should have been the priority, especially in light of recent remarks by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on the role of media.”
The paper added that it had long taken a national stance, including being at the forefront against the “terrorist Muslim Brotherhood,” remaining unintimidated by the group's threats or complaints during its rule.
The newspaper asserted that throughout this period, it fulfilled its role across all aspects of public life, including its coverage of the Ministry of Transport, which it deemed deserving of attention due to its service and economic role.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had called earlier for greater access to information and freedom of expression, emphasizing the need for accurate reporting during crises.
Access to information and freedom of expression have been greatly restricted in Egypt—especially under the widely-criticized 2018 Press and Media Regulation Law.
Over 20 journalists are currently imprisoned in Egypt, most held in prolonged pre-trial detention. Some have spent years behind bars without formal charges, despite ongoing calls for their release.
Among them is Al Manassa's Ashraf Omar, a cartoonist who has been held in pre-trial detention since July 22, 2024.
For its part, the Journalists Syndicate welcomes El-Sisi's remarks, urging the government to translate the pledge into concrete legislative reforms that end long-standing restrictions on press freedom.
