[Satellite TODAY Insider 11-02-10] Egyptian Information Minister Annas el-Fiqi has ordered all satellite broadcasters providing uplink services or television networks with uplinks to reapply for permits, revoking all existing licenses for its regional satellite television uplinks, the state-owned MENA News Agency confirmed Nov. 1.
    El-Fiqi said the move aims to put an end to the “unregulated media industry.”
    The measure will affect about a dozen uplink providers and TV stations. Regional broadcasters, which saw several private Egyptian TV channels shut down recently for allegedly violating broadcasting license rules, blasted the move as a political tactic to crackdown on the media and prevent voter turnout ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections later this month.
In a statement, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies Director Bahey el-Din Hassan said el-Fiqi’s measure is intended to give government media a monopoly on live broadcasts. “Gradually, we will see opposition silenced and the space for a media blackout increase.”
    The move could shake the confidence that some broadcasters have in the region’s potential for growth, especially if political decisions continue to impact business processes. In an interview with Satellite TODAY Insider earlier this year, Jawad Abbassi, CEO of Arab Advisors, praised the regions government-led efforts to support the booming broadcast industry.
    “Firstly, a lot of government organizations have a strategic drive to continue in their broadcasting stations. Secondly, there are private investors entering into the landscape. Despite a number of failures, many believe there is a strong case for satellite [free-to-air] channels. There is competition between media cities as liberalization in the Arab world is increasingly allowed. There is a healthy demand for broadcast satellite capacity in the region. For telecoms, you still have a very vibrant market. You have a strong demand from the shipping industry, and as there is an expected recovery in the global economic situation, the region will benefit from that,” Abbassi said.

Related Stories-

IctQatar Secretary General Discusses Eutelsat Deal, Impact on Region    Satellite News   July 12, 2010
[Satellite News 07-12-10] Eutelsat s Middle East aspirations were given a shot in the arm thanks to a deal in Qatar. In mid-May, the operator signed a deal with ictQatar (representing the State of Qatar) to invest in and operate a high-capacity…

Yahsat CEO: UAE License Approval Was Crucial for Future Business Plan    Satellite News   April 1, 2010
[Satellite News 04-01-10] Middle East satellite operator Yahsat s first satellite, Yahsat 1A, has received a 10-year satellite services license in the United Arab Emirates by the region s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), a development…

Capacity Extremes Could Impact MENA   Via Satellite   March 1, 2010
Belief that demand for capacity serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) soon will skyrocket has been building for more than a year, spurred by a combination of increasing demand for satellite-based services and government deregulation that…