CAIRO — Numerous journalists and media figures believe freedom of the press in Egypt is being threatened as never before, but from time to time, hope still glimmers that what remains can be preserved.

Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court ruled June 3 that one article of a press "organizational law" passed in December is unconstitutional. The section restricts individuals from launching newspapers that aren't affiliated with a political party, news syndicate or association. Individuals must partner with a company, and the company's shareholders must be Egyptians.

The Egyptian Constitution, however, states, “Newspapers may be issued once notification is given as regulated by Law.”

“The [unconstitutional] article complicates the establishment of newspapers in Egypt compared to the ease of obtaining a newspaper license in other countries," lawyer Mahmoud Abdel Qader, founder of the Legal Awareness for Journalists Initiative, told Al-Monitor. He praised the court's ruling as an important step toward ensuring freedom of the press and facilitating the establishment of newspapers.