The Egyptian constitution guarantees freedom of the press. In practice, the Egyptian government has not always respected this right and, although the situation is getting better, there are still several laws in effect that restrict the right to freedom of the Egyptian media.
For one thing, most newspapers, magazines, and journals, as well as its radio and television stations, are owned in some way by the government or a political party. Journalists from private publications have been arrested for violating laws that prohibit criticism of the government or its elected leaders, or for publishing what the government deemed false news.
News reports or editorials that may be viewed as critical of Islamic beliefs are also likely to provoke official reprisals. Overt government censorship is common, as is the perpetuation of a climate that encourages self-censorship.
More than six hundred newspapers and other print media are in publication in Egypt, and criticism of government policies or elected officials does occur. Libel is still a criminal offense in Egypt, however.
There are two state-owned television stations, as well as some private broadcasters, totaling something in the neighborhood of a hundred Egyptian television channels. However, private broadcasters are not permitted to broadcast their own news reports but focus on music or entertainment content. Al-Jazeera and other Arab news channels are available and popular among Egyptian viewers. In 2006, journalists employed by Al-Jazeera were jailed for reporting on topics such as police brutality in Egypt, however. Egypt was the first of the Arab nations to have its own satellite, allowing the Egyptian television and film industries to supply shows to much of the Arab world.
There were once as many as fourteen privately operated radio stations in Egypt, but radio broadcasting was nationalized in 1947, and has been ever since. With the exception of a non-political station operated by a resort, all of the radio stations in Egypt are state-owned, and the majority of them are in the Cairo region. Foreign-owned stations are not allowed to broadcast on land controlled by Egypt, although some international broadcasters do broadcast from areas close to Egypt so that their signals may be picked up by Egyptian listeners.
Unlike many other African nations, the Egyptian government has encouraged the use of the Internet. Nearly fifty percent of the country's population has access to the Internet, and the medium is often used for political opposition and debate, as well as for publishing news stories that would be prohibited in the print media. Thus far, the Egyptian government has not widely censored the Internet, although some websites have been blocked after being deemed a threat to national security, and Egyptian citizens have been arrested for insulting Islam, the Egyptian president, or government institutions based on things they had posted online. In 2011, an Egyptian blogger was sentenced to prison for insulting the armed forces and publishing false information.
This category will house websites whose topics relate to the Egyptian media, either in general or to specific newspapers, magazines, journals, radio stations, television stations, or other forms of media. Online news sites are also appropriate for this category. Publications outside of Egypt may be appropriate for this category if the focus is on Egypt.
Recommended Resources
Founded in 1875, Al-Ahram is circulated more widely than any other Egyptian daily newspaper and the second oldest. Majority owned by the Egyptian government, the print edition is published in Egyptian Arabic and two other Arabic editions, as well as in English and in French. Egyptian and world news are published to the site along with business reports, travel information, and articles relating to Egyptian arts and culture, lifestyles, and sports.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/
Published in the United Kingdom bi-monthly, the magazine deals with the topic of Egyptology, offering content somewhere between that of an academic journal and a travel magazine. A trial edition is available for viewing in PDF format online, and subscribers may opt for the print edition or the PDF edition, with single issues also available. Its topics include book reviews and Egyptology news.
http://www.ancientegyptmagazine.co.uk/
Established in 2005, DNE is an English-language Egyptian newspaper that was originally distributed as a supplement to the International Herald Tribune but now claims to be independent and not subject to government censorship. Readers may subscribe to the print edition or to its PDF edition for full access to its content, which includes political and event coverage, business and lifestyle features, opinion columns, sports stories, and interviews.
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/
Online since 2000, Egypt Daily News is an independent online publication that offers news and political reporting from or about Egypt, the Arab world, or internationally, as well as Egyptian entertainment venues, technology and science, Also included is a section for news in Arabic, although most of the publication is in English. Featured posts are highlighted, and advertising opportunities are presented.
http://www.egyptdailynews.com/
The Egypt Independent originally published a 24-page English-language edition of the Egyptian-language newspaper, “Al-Masry Al-Youm.” When it was banned from publishing by the editor of the Egyptian-language newspaper, it acquired its own license and began publishing a weekly edition independent of the other newspaper. Egyptian news and events are covered, along with news from the Middle East and World, and business, science, and culture sections.
http://www.egyptindependent.com/
The English-language monthly magazine began publication in 1979, covering current affairs in Egypt and some international news. Its website began in 2017, publishing breaking news, analysis of political affairs, opinion columns, and local, regional, and international news. Readers may subscribe to the publication through the site, and advertising opportunities are published to the site.
http://www.egypttoday.com/
The online news publication was founded by an Egyptian journalist as a blog in 2012 but later developed into a media company, its readership consisting largely of bilingual Egyptians and non-Egyptians who live in Egypt or abroad. Its content focuses on Egyptian politics, society features, arts and culture, technology, and travel, as well as opinion columns. Photo essays and entertainment features are included.
https://egyptianstreets.com/
Published since 1990, Kmt is an English-language publication whose articles focus on the 3,000-year history, culture, art, architecture, and people of Ancient Egypt. Included are stories of the pioneers of Egyptology, modern archaeological explorations. The print magazine is eighty-eight pages printed on glossy stock, with from six to eight main features, photos, maps, and graphics. Back issues may be viewed online, and a subscription form is included.
http://www.kmtjournal.com/
