Egyptian MP Abdul Moneim Imam, head of the "Justice Party," has proposed a legislative amendment to include a clause in Article 88 of the Penal Code to prohibit the publication of images or broadcasting of funeral events and condolence tents. The proposal states, "In all cases, it is prohibited to publish, broadcast, or stream any images or videos of funerals, condolences, and tents held in connection with a death, and the deceased's heirs may permit publication with prior written consent attached to the publication. The penalty shall be increased in cases of publication or broadcasting on social media by non-journalists."
He clarified that "the right to privacy means that no one should be subjected to arbitrary interference in their private life, family matters, home, or correspondence, nor should their honor and reputation be violated. All individuals have the right to legal protection against such intrusions or violations." He emphasized that "the purpose of the freedom of opinion and expression, which includes the freedom to publish, is the citizen's right to knowledge and to follow public figures and officials. However, this right is not absolute and should not come at the expense of the sanctity of death or their personal lives."
It is noted that during the funeral of the late Egyptian artist Salah Al-Saadani, artist Mohamed Adel Imam urged media and photographers not to take pictures of his friend Ahmed Al-Saadani while he was crying for his late father, demanding that they leave the area, while Al-Saadani expressed his anger towards the photographers.
Ashraf Zaki, head of the Actors' Syndicate, in coordination with the family of the late artist Salah Al-Saadani, announced that the condolence event would be restricted to receiving mourners only, without media or journalistic coverage. He mentioned that the family decided to limit the condolence to mourners only until regulations for covering funerals could be established.
The decision to prohibit media and journalistic coverage of the condolence event came after many stars complained about some reporters' coverage during funerals. In the future, it will be permitted for the Journalists' Syndicate to send a reporter and photographer to cover the event in a quiet and professional manner, with the coverage being sent to other newspapers and websites.
