The Egyptian government wants to limit TV and film content that it says negatively portrays the country [Getty]
Film and TV producers in Egypt are likely to face tighter restrictions on what they are allowed to shoot after President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi criticised this year’s Ramadan TV shows for their alleged negative portrayals of Egyptian society.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced Wednesday the creation of a committee that will oversee the production of dramas in line with Sisi’s comments earlier this week.
Speaking at the military’s annual Ramadan iftar on Monday, the president criticised the use of irreverent humour and the depiction of violence on Egyptian television, which he said do not reflect the values of Egyptian society.
He did not single out any show for criticism but pointed to Qatayef – a YouTube show that discusses personal development and religious issues – as a model for future Egyptian programming.
Several shows have courted controversy in Egypt this Ramadan. Al Azhar issued a fatwa banning  Muawiya – a series produced by the Saudi network MBC – due to its portrayal of the Muslim prophet’s companions.
Ish Ish, a drama about a struggling belly dancer, came under huge criticism and faced boycott calls before the show had even aired.
In a shock announcement on Thursday, Ish Ish director Mohamed Sami announced he had retired from the industry and would be leaving Egypt.
The directive threatens to further restrict artistic expression in a country with already one of the tightest censorship regimes in the world.
The local entertainment industry is heavily controlled by Egyptian intelligence, which through its media conglomerate United Media Services owns the largest TV and news channels and produces much of the dramatic content.
Following Sisi’s comments, the head of the National Media Authority, Ahmed Al-Moslemany, announced that a convention will be held in April to discuss controls on the output of the local film and TV industry.
Titled “The Future of Drama in Egypt”, Al-Moslemany said the event will focus on “the necessity of confronting waves of violence, crime, drug abuse, the ignition of social conflict, the promotion of verbal vulgarity and behavioural deviation, and the destruction of family values”.
Industry figures, psychologists, sociologists, and political and economic specialists will be invited to attend.
The Supreme Council for Media Regulation has also begun compiling a report into the content being broadcast on Egyptian and Saudi channels, according to Al Araby Al Jadeed, the sister publication of The New Arab.
Sources in United Media services told the online outlet that the company is keen to avoid content that could be considered “inappropriate” by the country’s leadership.
