Resolving issues that go to the heart of broadcasting.

They are the first editorial guidelines to have been developed for the organisation.

Work began in Cairo in January 2007, as part of the Trust's media training programme with Egyptian Television.

A committee of senior Egyptian journalists worked with the Trust to reach agreement on fundamental editorial issues.

Key questions, such as the difference between national interest and public interest, were discussed.

The Trust's facilitator and senior trainer, Najim Al-Khafaji, chaired the sessions and worked with fellow trainer, Yasser Abdel Aziz, to keep the (often heated) discussions on track.

The result was a draft outline of editorial guidelines and a style guide for the Egyptian Radion and Television Union (ERTU), which are in the process of being approved by ERTU, with facilitation from the Trust.

The initiative has been enthusiastically supported by the Egyptian Minister of Information, heads of news channels and senior staff, who will be critical to the implementation stage of the project.

The Media Dialogue Programme is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Global Opportunities fund.