Egypt is set to shift how it manages photography in public areas. On the one hand, it will alleviate restrictions on street photography, but on the other, it will criminalize taking images that it considers are “offending to the country.”
Controlled photography will be broken down into 3 types: individual photography, foreign media, and cinematography permits.
In a shift, Egypt will not longer require licenses for personal street photography. Photography by travelers is permitted with either movie or digital cams (in addition to video cameras) without the requirement for a license or a payment of charges. In an interview, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled El-Enani stressed that “no one will be enabled to ask you why you are recording in public,” according to a report from Egyptian Streets.
Foreign media, however– that includes foreign correspondents and news photography– must get a license which will be granted within 10 days of request. For cinematography authorizations, Egypt’s federal government says it will establish a digital platform that will work as the place to use and get the needed authorizations.
Souk Market Cafe, Cairo, Egypt
While not all types of photography will require an authorization, one new specification stands apart: catching pictures or videos of scenes that are deemed “offending to the country” will end up being illegal. What makes up “offending” has not been well explained, however the federal government states that photography of children is not allowed and citizens can only be photographed if they have given written consent.
The word “offensive” can be translated as “uncomplimentary” too, and appears to be targeted at preventing photographs of unsightly scenes like garbage.
It does not sound as though the information have been completed as El-Enani states it will be further discussed with other ministers prior to the law takes effect. If the language in the final law is left unclear, it might be troublesome for photographers as it might be used by police and federal government officials to criminalize photography of any variety of scenes that they arbitrarily determine makes the nation look bad.
The changes in the law are obviously in reaction to the experience of American food Blogger Sonny Side, who in April released a video where he says “Egypt is among worst places for filmmakers.” That video has been watched over six million times.
He and others have actually apparently been mistreated by Egyptian cops and security workers who seize video cameras and movie equipment from individuals on the streets despite the status of their licenses. In 2017, photographer Belal Darder was sentenced to 15 years in jail for taking photographs in the country.
El-Enani’s new laws are expected to alleviate restrictions and he has actually said that individual travel photography “is the kind of photography we want to encourage.”
Image credits: Photos licensed via Depositphotos.
Source: https://petapixel.com/2022/07/20/egypt-to-ban-photography-that-is-offensive-to-the-country/