EGYPT / The government hopes TV series will fight drug-taking

On May 12^th the Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity, Ghada Wali, announced that the government will set up a grant of EGP 1 million (about €100,000) to produce a television series during Ramadan to help fight drug abuse in the country.

The grant will be funded jointly by the Ministries of Social Solidarity and Youth and Sports.

It could be given to a series in which the characters don’t smoke or use drugs, or equally to one showing the adverse effects of drugs.

According Ghada Wali, “during Ramadan 2014, 15.5% of TV series’ air time gave a positive image of drug use.” In 2015, this rate was reduced to 13% after Egyptian directors and writers signed a charter on the way drugs are shown on screen.

During Ramadan 2016, which starts on June 6^th and 7^th, Ghada Wali’s ministry will carefully check all TV series, she said, so as to “blacklist those we believe encourage drug abuse.”

Sources : Al Masry Al Youm, Arab Today