Egypt bans media coverage of funerals to protect family privacy

Minister of Information Diaa Rashwan has banned the filming of funerals and condolences for any Egyptian citizen out of respect for family privacy. Driven by discussions between the Ministry of Information and editors-in-chief of major licensed news websites, the ministry has enforced strict ethical guidelines. The consensus prohibits media outlets and individuals from capturing or publishing footage of funerals and condolences for ordinary citizens and public figures alike, extending accountability even to personal social media pages. Media coverage of private grief—particularly capturing distressed family members or celebrities at funerals and mourning gatherings—has faced intense public and official backlash in Egypt. Critics frequently accuse these practices of being intrusive violations of personal privacy, done for sensationalism or clickbait.