The Egyptian government has denied trying to restrict the freedom of speech and expression by stopping satellite channel reported Kuwait Times. Egypt’s Minister of Information Salah Abdulmaqsood at a press conference hosted by the Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) said: “The news spread by some people about closure of satellite channels is nothing but rumors spread […]
The Egyptian government has denied trying to restrict the freedom of speech and expression by stopping satellite channel reported Kuwait Times.
Egypt’s Minister of Information Salah Abdulmaqsood at a press conference hosted by the Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) said: “The news spread by some people about closure of satellite channels is nothing but rumors spread by those violating the law. The fact is that these channels are still broadcasting. These channels also got a license from the former minister to use special cables. The government wanted to put all channels on an equal footing and sent warning letters to these violating channels, to which they did not respond. Instead, they decided to spoil the reputation of the present regime to make it look like an enemy of freedom, though this is not true.
Furthermore, he spoke about the financial losses suffered by the Egyptian Radio and TV Union. “This Union was not founded to make financial profits but to provide public services. I expect many changes to take place in the future, and new public channels will be founded. The main reason for the losses is the increase in the number of personnel working in the field of media. More than 43,000 people are working in the media now though it can be operated by less than 5,000. Also, corruption has caused losses of more than EGP 20 billions. Thus, there is scope for reforms,” he concluded.
The conference was held in the presence of Kuwaiti Minister of Information Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, the Treasurer of KJA Adnan Al-Rashid and Secretary General Faisal Al-Qinai and was attended by media persons.
