Two Egyptian channels cautioned over ‘media infractions’

Rebecca Hawkes ©RapidTVNews | 05-10-2011

Critics fear another media clampdown in Egypt after authorities sent official warnings to popular satellite channels ONTV and Dream TV over broadcasting content they deem violates the media code of ethics and the terms of their license.
Yesterday's action, from the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), comes just a month ahead of parliamentary elections in Egypt.
ONTV, which is owned by Coptic Christian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, has been told its programming is no longer consistent with the type of content it was originally licensed for. The station, which began life in 2007 as an entertainment channel, has increasingly broadcast more news and current affairs programming, according to local reports.
GAFI has reportedly instructed ONTV to reinstate its general entertainment content in line with its license conditions within days.
Dream TV meanwhile has been told its weekly talk show El Hakikia (The Truth) failed to comply with the media code of ethics.
Both the broadcaster and the show's host, prominent Egyptian journalist Wael El Ebrahsy, may be penalised, according to Dream TV's chief.
"The statement we received accused the presenter of expressing his own point of view, but he was only playing the role of devil's advocate," Mohamed Khedr, executive manager, Dream TV is quoted as saying in Ahram Online. "We don't think the warning has anything to do with the general politics of the network. But the incident is very alarming.
"The fact that the Information Minister, or any other leading government figure, would take such measures against the media, and that the authorities would take the case further without proper investigation, represents a direct challenge to freedom of speech," he reportedly added.
Dream TV is reportedly planning legal action to deny the accusations.
Users of Facebook and Twitter have been referring to comments made by Mohamed Abdel Maqsoud, a Salafi preacher who appears on Al-Nass channel, saying that satellite channels are being warned not to criticise the military council.
ONTV and Dream TV are just two of 96 GAFI-licensed satellite channels based in Cairo's media zone. They broadcast free to air across the Arab world via Nilesat.
Last month, the offices of Al Jazeera's live broadcast arm in Cairo, Mubasher Misr, were raided by officials who reportedly arrested a technician and confiscated equipment, after authorities complained the operation was not properly licensed.
The action followed the decision by the Supreme Council's Information Minister to freeze the issue of satellite TV licenses for an undefined but 'temporary' period. In September, he accused TV stations of "indiscipline" and warned that legal measures would be taken "against satellite TV stations that jeopardise stability and security."