The Supreme Administrative Court postponed Saturday the review of appeals contesting the selection of state-run newspapers’ chief editors.
The appeals were filed against a ruling that upheld a Shura Council decision setting criteria for selecting chief editors and opened the door for nominations to begin in October.
The court was scheduled to review the appeals on Saturday, but a low turnout made the process impossible. Court President Magdy al-Agaty and one member of the court panel were the only parties present.
The Administrative Courts upheld the Shura Council’s decision on the basis that the Shura Council is, according to law, the authority charged with appointing chief editors of state-run newspapers and setting standards for selecting them, as long as they are in line with the constitution. In its ruling, the Administrative Court also said press institutions’ general assemblies are not designed to select chief editors.
Journalists Syndicate member and writer Yehia Qallash, syndicate deputy Gamal Fahmy and Vice Chief Editor of Al-Gomhurriya Newspaper Mahmoud Nafady submitted challenges against the Shura Council ruling.
In July, several prominent media figures and journalists protested against the Muslim Brotherhood-led Shura Council’s selection of editors to lead state-run publications, expressing fears that the Brotherhood would take control of state newspapers.
Some suggested postponing the process until after the drafting of the country’s new constitution, which would redefine the powers of the Shura Council. They also opposed the criteria for selecting editors.
