Egypt tightens control on broadcasts, foreign channels
Through a series of legal restrictions, security campaigns and acquisitions, Egypt is increasing government power over foreign media broadcasting outlets.
CAIRO — Egypt is continuing its crackdown on the media, warning against the use of mobile communications equipment — such as news vans equipped with satellite dishes — to broadcast outside the studios of the state’s Giza-based media complex, Egyptian Media Production City (EMPC).
Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR) issued a reminder April 27 to TV channels and broadcasters with satellite news gathering units. Its statement said the council had "spotted some companies broadcasting from outside the city and violating Law 180 of 2018."
Egyptian opposition member and former head of the Dostour Party Khaled Dawood said he was only able to appear on an April 24 TV show airing on Deutsche Welle Arabic TV channel via Skype.
“The Associated Press Television News (APTN), the current provider of broadcasting services to the German DW channel, had refused to allow DW to host me in Egypt, since Egyptian security services had denied it the necessary permits,” Dawood told Al-Monitor.
