Professionally speaking

By Nabil Zaki

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In May 2006, just before his death, Naguib Mahfouz marked the World Press Freedom Day in characteristic fashion. He called for the release of all journalists and political dissidents from Arab prisons and for the repeal of laws sanctioning imprisonment for publishing offences. The Egyptian Press Syndicate seconded his call, pledging commitment to the press code of honour.

In July 2006, the syndicate issued a statement saying that the unity of the community of journalists is the strongest weapon in the battle for a free press. The syndicate called on journalists to abide by professional standards and the norms of democratic dialogue. Free press, the syndicate said in a statement, was more of a service to society at large than a professional privilege.

The syndicate was hoping to hold a meeting of the Committee for the Activation of the Press Code of Honour next week. In that meeting, the syndicate planned to take action towards the creation of a supervisory agency. The function of that agency would be to monitor press reports and ensure press abidance by standard regulations. This is a much-needed action. We need to form a standing committee of veteran journalists, including legal experts and a member of the Higher Press Council. The syndicate should delegate specific powers to that committee, which ought to meet at least once a week.

Journalists can formulate acceptable professional standards and abide by them. As the syndicate pointed out in the past, such action is our best weapon in the battle for freedom. We cannot afford the current squabbles. We need to unite and defend our hard- won achievements.

* This week's Soapbox speaker is former editor-in-chief of the left-wing newspaper Al-Ahali .