Egyptian media will now be fined for expletive language under new law

Under a new bill passed by Egypt's Supreme Media Council on Wednesday, media outlets across the country stand to face hefty fines if any offensive word is used during their live broadcasts. 

In a press statement, Gamal Shawky, head of the complaints committee in the council, said the fines will be imposed as of 15 June, adding that in the case that a fine is issued and not complied with after a period of six months, an affected outlet's license would then be terminated.

While TV channels face fines of up to EGP 200,000 for every single offense, radio stations face a lower EGP 100,000 fine, Egyptian Streets reported. 

Citizens who report cases or complaints to the council will receive 10 percent of the fine money, media reports said. 

The Supreme Media Council was ratified by Parliament in 2016, and its members were appointed by President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi based on nominations from Parliament and other bodies.

It has the power to issue and revoke licenses and is also authorized to fine and suspend publications and broadcasters.

The council's announcement on Wednesday comes amid a crackdown on media outlets in Egypt and a few weeks after the country blocked 21 websites, including Huffington Post Arabi and Qatar-based Al Jazeera. 

Back then, a senior security source said the websites were blocked for having content that "supports terrorism and extremism as well [as] publishing lies." 

The security source told MENA news agency, that authorities would also be taking legal action against the websites.