Investment Ministry: Not authorised to issue licenses for journalists

The Investment Ministry said on Tuesday it was not authorized to issue licenses for journalists and that it had no relation with the press profession in any form.
The ministry was commenting on recent reports that it planned to grant licenses for journalists working in economics pages.
"The government respects the freedom of press and appreciates the role of the Syndicate of Journalists in accrediting its members," the ministry stressed in a statement.
On Monday, the head of the Syndicate of Journalists rejected statements by Investment Minister Ashraf Suleiman, in his interview with Al Ahram daily, about issuing licenses to journalists working with the presidency and the government agencies.
"The freedom of press is ensured by the constitution and Egyptian laws and does not require a license from executive officials," Diaa Rashwan told MENA.
"Licensing the practice of any profession including journalism is the competence of the syndicates according to the constitution," Rashwan said.