The Supreme Press Council said on Wednesday it was forming a joint committee with the Journalists Syndicate to study financial losses several newspapers have reported recently, including state-owned and independent publications.
It is also considering financing papers in the red by supplying LE36 million to cover salaries through January 2013 that have not yet been paid.
Assistant Secretary General Qutb al-Araby said the council would issue performance reportsfor press institutions, the first of which is expected within several days. The council did not specify which newspapers it would examine.
The committee will also look at methods of improving the papers' bottom lines with input from journalists and council members. It is set to issue recommendations by June, taking into account employee interests and financial matters.
The committee already approved a recommendation to cancel employment extensions for journalists over 60 and to revoke some monthly payments granted to retired chief editors and chairmen of state-owned newspapers.
Edited translation from MENA
