Rashwan: Accurate, timely information vital to combating rumors

Egypt's Minister for State Information, Diaa Rashwan, underscored the critical need for seamless coordination between government spokespersons, media advisers, and various media outlets to swiftly disseminate accurate information regarding national and local affairs. He stressed that furnishing official accounts of events, decisions, actions, and accomplishments would help eliminate information gaps and curb the proliferation of rumors and false narratives intended to weaken state initiatives and social cohesion.

During a gathering that included 35 government spokespersons and media advisers, Rashwan highlighted that elevating their performance was part of the presidential mandate to bolster Egyptian media and amplify its role in fostering public awareness and shaping public sentiment. He emphasized that government officials must promptly furnish information and respond to media inquiries to present the facts and the perspectives of state institutions.

Rashwan cited President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's frequent advocacy for broadening public discourse and accommodating diverse viewpoints within the limits of the Constitution, law, and national welfare. Discussion participants identified several hurdles, such as the dissemination of inaccurate information and invented reports on social media platforms, as well as media outlets increasingly relying on social media as a source of news.

They also expressed worry that certain newspapers and websites did not allocate adequate attention to information supplied by official channels. Participants advocated for a precise delineation of the duties of government spokespersons and media advisers, improved access to information within their respective institutions, and comprehensive training programs for spokespersons, media advisers, journalists, and media professionals covering ministries and government entities.

Rashwan affirmed that bolstering the effectiveness of government spokespersons and media advisers was among the ministry's top priorities and disclosed that training programs for different sectors of the media were currently in development. He further announced that the ministry would collaborate with government entities and media organizations to devise clear mechanisms for ongoing cooperation and guarantee the timely and adequate delivery of information.

Rashwan also announced that the ministry would establish a framework for ongoing coordination among government spokespersons and media advisers to preclude discrepancies in the state's media messaging. He noted that numerous ministries and state bodies were engaged in regulating the use of social media and mitigating risks like privacy breaches.

In closing, Rashwan indicated that initiatives were underway to expedite the enactment of a freedom of information law that would obligate government bodies to furnish citizens, the public, and the media with information, and to govern how such information is transmitted and disseminated.