Media of Egypt
Encyclopedia
The media
of Egypt
is highly influential in Egypt and in the Arab World
, attributed to its large audience and increasing freedom from government control. Freedom of the media is guaranteed in the constitution, and the government is increasingly respecting this, however many laws still remain that restrict this right. After the Egyptian presidential election of 2005
, Ahmed Selim, office director for Information Minister Anas al-Fiqi, declared the era of a "free, transparent and independent Egyptian media."
He brought with his expedition a French, Arabic, and Greek printing press, which were far superior in speed, efficiency and quality than the nearest presses used in Istanbul. In the Middle East, Africa, India and even much of Eastern Europe and Russia, printing was a minor, specialized activity until the 1700s at least. From about 1720, the Mutaferrika Press in Istanbul produced substantial amounts of printing, of which some Egyptian clerics were aware of at the time. Juan Cole reports that "Boneaparte was a master of what we would now call spin, and his genius for it is demonstrated by reports in Arabic sources that several of his more outlandish allegations were actually taken seriously in the Egyptian countryside."
, state institutions and foreign leaders, or "putting out false news harming the reputation and interests of the country". However, unlike many of Egypt's regional counterparts, criticism of the government in general does take place, after amendments to existing press laws in 2006 which however still criminalise libel.
On one occasion, an Egyptian court revoked the publishing license for Ibdaa (Creativity), a small circulation magazine for publishing a "blasphemous" poem by Egypitan poet Hilmi Salem. Speaking on the ruling, the court said that "Freedom of the press
... should be used responsibly and not touch on the basic foundations of Egyptian society, and family, religion and morals."
which allows the Egyptian TV and film industry to supply much of the Arab-speaking world with shows from its Media Production City. The previously tight controls on state TV and radio gave way to even and fair coverage of all political parties involved in the Egyptian presidential election of 2005
, a first for Egyptian media. However in 2006 several journalists working for the Cairo branch of the Qatar
-based Al-Jazeera were detained for investigating subjects such as police brutality and "harming the country's reputation".
By the early 1990s, Egypt had only 4 FM stations, but the number increased to 6 by the end of the decade. In 2000, stations moving from the AM band and the introduction of private stations raised the number to 10 stations as of 2006[update].
, state institutions and President Hosni Mubarak
during pro-democracy protests, as well as government officials in cases of abuse by the security services.
was caught doctoring a photo that had showed US president Barack Obama in the front to show Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
walking in the lead on a red carpet ahead of Binyamin Netanyahu, Mahmoud Abbas
and Jordan's King Abdullah II. Egyptian blog
gers said the photo was "unprofessional" and said it an example of deception towards the people of Egyptl; others said the photo was an attempt to distract attention from Egypt's waning role in the. However, Osama Saraya, the editor-in chief, defended the decision saying "The expressionist photo is...a brief, live and true expression of the prominent stance of President Mubarak in the Palestinian issue, his unique role in leading it before Washington or any other."
News agency
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
of Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
is highly influential in Egypt and in the Arab World
Arab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
, attributed to its large audience and increasing freedom from government control. Freedom of the media is guaranteed in the constitution, and the government is increasingly respecting this, however many laws still remain that restrict this right. After the Egyptian presidential election of 2005
Egyptian presidential election, 2005
The Egyptian presidential election of 2005, held on September 7, 2005, was the first allegedly contested presidential election in Egypt's history. Hosni Mubarak, the former President of Egypt, won a fifth consecutive six-year term in office, with official results showing he won 88.6% of the vote...
, Ahmed Selim, office director for Information Minister Anas al-Fiqi, declared the era of a "free, transparent and independent Egyptian media."
History of the printing press
The printing press was first introduced to Egypt by Napoleon Bonaparte during his French Campaign in Egypt and Syria.He brought with his expedition a French, Arabic, and Greek printing press, which were far superior in speed, efficiency and quality than the nearest presses used in Istanbul. In the Middle East, Africa, India and even much of Eastern Europe and Russia, printing was a minor, specialized activity until the 1700s at least. From about 1720, the Mutaferrika Press in Istanbul produced substantial amounts of printing, of which some Egyptian clerics were aware of at the time. Juan Cole reports that "Boneaparte was a master of what we would now call spin, and his genius for it is demonstrated by reports in Arabic sources that several of his more outlandish allegations were actually taken seriously in the Egyptian countryside."
The press
The written press is very diverse in Egypt, with over 500 newspapers, journals and magazines available. However these are owned mostly or in some way by the government, the opposition or other political parties. Several journalists from private newspapers have been arrested and jailed for breaching laws that prohibit criticism of the PresidentPresident of Egypt
The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt is the head of state of Egypt.Under the Constitution of Egypt, the president is also the supreme commander of the armed forces and head of the executive branch of the Egyptian government....
, state institutions and foreign leaders, or "putting out false news harming the reputation and interests of the country". However, unlike many of Egypt's regional counterparts, criticism of the government in general does take place, after amendments to existing press laws in 2006 which however still criminalise libel.
On one occasion, an Egyptian court revoked the publishing license for Ibdaa (Creativity), a small circulation magazine for publishing a "blasphemous" poem by Egypitan poet Hilmi Salem. Speaking on the ruling, the court said that "Freedom of the press
Freedom of the press
Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials...
... should be used responsibly and not touch on the basic foundations of Egyptian society, and family, religion and morals."
Television
There are a mix of state broadcasters (of which there are 2) and increasingly, private broadcasters. Figures from the CIA Factbook state over 98 television channels in 1995, and 57 AM and 14 FM radio channels in 1999. Pan-Arab channels such as Al-Jazeera are also very popular among viewers, especially for news, as private broadcasters are forbidden to broadcast their own news, instead only focusing on entertainment or music. The Ministry of Information controls content in the state-owned broadcast media. Egypt was the first Arab nation to have its own satellite, Nilesat 101Nilesat 101
Nilesat 101 is an Egyptian owned geosynchronous communications satellite.Launched by an Ariane 4 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana on 28 April 1998 at 22:53:00 UTC by the European Space Agency, it was manufactured by the European company Matra Marconi Space , and started official broadcasting on 31...
which allows the Egyptian TV and film industry to supply much of the Arab-speaking world with shows from its Media Production City. The previously tight controls on state TV and radio gave way to even and fair coverage of all political parties involved in the Egyptian presidential election of 2005
Egyptian presidential election, 2005
The Egyptian presidential election of 2005, held on September 7, 2005, was the first allegedly contested presidential election in Egypt's history. Hosni Mubarak, the former President of Egypt, won a fifth consecutive six-year term in office, with official results showing he won 88.6% of the vote...
, a first for Egyptian media. However in 2006 several journalists working for the Cairo branch of the Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
-based Al-Jazeera were detained for investigating subjects such as police brutality and "harming the country's reputation".
Radio
Egyptian radio broadcasting (as in both FM & AM bands) began to serve in Egypt in the twenties of the 20th century as locally owned radios.Then began airing radio as The Egyptian State Radio in the 31st Of May 1934 in agreement with the Marconi Company, and in 1947 the contract with the Marconi Company was then canceled and was nationalized by the Egyptian Government.By the early 1990s, Egypt had only 4 FM stations, but the number increased to 6 by the end of the decade. In 2000, stations moving from the AM band and the introduction of private stations raised the number to 10 stations as of 2006[update].
Internet
The government has actively encouraged internet usage, quadrupling over the last few years with around 17 million regular users in 2010, around 21 percent of the population. The internet is often used for political opposition, blogging and lively debate amongst the public and by the media which can publish stories that are prohibited in the print media. The Egyptian government does not widely censor the internet, though the state-run Supreme Administritive Court allowed the Ministry of Information and Ministry of Communication to close down or block websites that are a "threat to national security". However, several people have been detained for insulting IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, state institutions and President Hosni Mubarak
Hosni Mubarak
Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak is a former Egyptian politician and military commander. He served as the fourth President of Egypt from 1981 to 2011....
during pro-democracy protests, as well as government officials in cases of abuse by the security services.
Freedoms
Following peace talk over the Middle East conflict at the Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt, Al-AhramAl-Ahram
Al-Ahram , founded in 1875, is the most widely circulating Egyptian daily newspaper, and the second oldest after al-Waqa'i`al-Masriya . It is majority owned by the Egyptian government....
was caught doctoring a photo that had showed US president Barack Obama in the front to show Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak
Hosni Mubarak
Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak is a former Egyptian politician and military commander. He served as the fourth President of Egypt from 1981 to 2011....
walking in the lead on a red carpet ahead of Binyamin Netanyahu, Mahmoud Abbas
Mahmoud Abbas
Mahmoud Abbas , also known by the kunya Abu Mazen , has been the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation since 11 November 2004 and became President of the Palestinian National Authority on 15 January 2005 on the Fatah ticket.Elected to serve until 9 January 2009, he unilaterally...
and Jordan's King Abdullah II. Egyptian blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
gers said the photo was "unprofessional" and said it an example of deception towards the people of Egyptl; others said the photo was an attempt to distract attention from Egypt's waning role in the. However, Osama Saraya, the editor-in chief, defended the decision saying "The expressionist photo is...a brief, live and true expression of the prominent stance of President Mubarak in the Palestinian issue, his unique role in leading it before Washington or any other."
External links
- Egypt News (Gornaly.com) (state-run)
- Egypt Radio Television Union (ERTU) (state-run)
- Al-Ahram (state-run)
- Al-Ahram Weekly (state-run)
- Al-Gomhuria (state-run)
- Al-Masry Al-Youm (independent)
- Al-Messa (pro-government)
- Al-Wafd (opposition)
- Al-Ahaly (opposition)
- Bikya Masr (independent)
- El-Mehwar (private via satellite)
News agency
- Middle East News Agency (MENA) (state-run)