Decisive decisions for satellite channels

On satellite channels and the role of the Egyptian media, which represents Egyptian national security, I attended a very important symposium at the Supreme Council for Media, headed by Karam Gabr, Chairman of the Council, the very important symposium was moderated by Dr. Yasser Abdel Aziz, the well-known media expert, and was attended by a group of senior media figures. It discussed many issues that affect the media and regulate its work.

I agreed with some points and disagreed with the others. The Egyptian media faces very great challenges and unequal competition as there are many channels capable of pumping in a lot of money and capable of attracting Egyptian and non-Egyptian expertise to broadcast material that attracts viewers.

But there are some important points, including making limited time for talk shows to a maximum of one and a half hours, and I believe that this is a matter specific to the channels.

These channels bear a large financial burden and a severe shortage of advertising resources, especially independent channels. I believe that independent channels are very important because has gain credibility alongside governmental and semi-governmental channels. Private channels, one of which I work in, bear a severe shortage in advertising and bear large financial burdens, for example, the fees of renting Studios increase annually by 10%. Why are they not exempted from the annual increase for at least 5 years? The state is supposed to support these channels, that play national role in serving the state, to bear the burden of the floating dollar.

I talked about artificial intelligence and its use in media and social media, such as what Dr. Hossam Mowafi was exposed to, with artificial intelligence, the same appearance, the same sound, the same performance, talking about advertisements for grilled meat. He and Sada El Balad channel resorted to investigation authorities, but there is no law regulating the issue of artificial intelligence.. the challenges that Egyptian channels are facing and the desire to have a media that competes and clarifies the public’s demands and the state’s achievements and contributes to shaping Egypt’s image.

We need bold decisions to support satellite channels.

Thank you Mr. Karam Gabr for this initiative, and many thanks to all the brilliant leaders and media stars who attended this important symposium.