The Culture and Media Committee of the House of Representatives convened a meeting on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Dr Thuraya Badawi to review the development plans of the national press institutions.
Committee Vice-Chairman Emad El-Din Hussein and Vice-Chairwoman Ingy Anwar, alongside a large number of committee members, were present during the meeting.
From the National Press Authority (NPA), the session was attended by NPA Chairman, Eng Abdel-Sadek El-Shorbagy, Vice-Chairman Alaa Thabet, Secretary-General Marwa El-Sisi, and Board Member Hamdy Rizk.
The discussions reflected a constructive and forward-looking atmosphere, with participants expressing optimism regarding the future of national press institutions and their role as pillars of soft power, public awareness, and the preservation of national identity.
Emphasis was placed on achieving financial sustainability, safeguarding institutional assets, and enhancing operational efficiency, the authority said in a statement.
NPA Chairman El-Shorbagy presented a detailed report supported by figures, projects, and feasibility studies, outlining ongoing efforts to optimise the utilisation of institutional assets and achieve financial balance.
He also reviewed the authority’s work over the past five years, highlighting developments in content creation, financial systems, and administrative restructuring, while reaffirming commitment to maintaining professional and ethical journalistic standards.
He further outlined initiatives to strengthen professional performance, including the establishment of a dedicated committee for professional development tasked with reviewing editorial policies, proposing performance enhancement mechanisms, and holding quarterly meetings with editorial boards.
He also announced the formation of a committee to monitor digital platforms and ensure the development of modern news portals, including specialised economic and informational outlets, alongside foreign-language publications serving Egypt’s international outreach.
Engineer El-Shorbagy also detailed the authority’s strategy for maximising the value of its assets to support the financial requirements of the press sector amid rising operational costs.
This included investment projects such as residential, administrative, and commercial developments in Mokattam, the establishment of international schools in Qalyubia and Katameya, and a club project in New Cairo under Al-Ahram Foundation.
He further noted similar initiatives across other institutions, including projects linked to Akhbar Al-Youm, al-Gomhouria, and Rose El-Youssef foundations.
The chairman also addressed ongoing efforts related to sovereign debt obligations, including tax and social insurance matters, debt restructuring, and repayment plans aligned with available financial resources.
He noted the approval of 62 financial budgets for national press institutions, some of which had been pending since 2012, and highlighted progress in resolving end-of-service and retirement entitlements to ensure timely disbursement for retirees.
Members of the parliamentary committee engaged in discussions with the authority’s delegation, focusing on editorial content, digital transformation, and journalists’ remuneration.
In response, Chairperson Dr Thuraya Badawi affirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting national press institutions in addressing sovereign debt obligations through forthcoming legislative initiatives, in coordination with NPA.
