Egypt and the Media

According to "Global Communication," McPhail explains that "the world's information and media flows have been enhanced by the widespread surge in sales" of various modern technological advancements (224). BBC News states in the article "The Media in Egypt" that "Egypt has a population of nearly 75 million and likes to portray itself as the leader of the Arab world in all aspects of modern life, including the media." In Egypt, "television remains the most popular medium" and viewers are increasing at a rapid pace.  Pan-Arab Satellite television, such as Al-Jazeera, has produced changes in Egyptian media. Because the nation began to lose viewers to the newer pan-Arab channels, "Nile Thematic TV" was established in order to "modernise the image of state television and win back audiences." The domestic state broadcaster is known as ERTU.

Along with television, another popular media outlet is the radio. The BBC News station also states that "nearly two-thirds of Egyptians also listen to the radio on a daily basis."  News and religious programming are particularly popular topics aired on the radio. The ERTU controls the majority of Egypt's radio stations, but audiences numbers have dropped due to an increase in television viewing throughout the nation. Although there has been a decline in radio listening, "Egyptians rely on state radio for recitations from the Koran," according to BBC News. State radio also providees the nation's news programmes, "presenting the government's position on local and world affairs."

Overall, Egypt's media has shifted from a strict government censorship to a more open display of social and political issues. In 1961, President Nasser oversaw the nationalisation of the media where "the state controlled what people read and watched and private media investment was impossible." Nevertheless, in the 1990s Al-Jazeera provided Egyptians with more shows that openly approached diverse social and political issues, changing Egyptian media drastically.  



Unknown Author (2005, September, 02), The Media in Egypt. Retrieved from
http://newsbeta.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4199054.stm

McPhail, T.L. (2010). Global Communication: Theories, Stakeholders, and Trends. Massachusets: Blackwell Publishing.