Radio

The first radio station, "New Egypt", was launched as a community radio in Cairo in 1925. As there was no regulatory framework to define the operation of a radio station, it was considered at that time a completely free space to express opinion. Following this example, several local radio stations were launched throughout the country. Since 1946 however, the radio sector has been under the direct supervision of the State. 

To this day, the State remains the main owner of radio stations. However, radio is not as popular as it was at its beginning, especially since TV has be established. Only 12% of Egyptians are actually listening to the radio, which is still the highest radio penetration in the region. Among them, one Egyptian out of three is actually using the radio to get news. By comparison, 77% of Egyptians are using TV to get news and 22% newspapers. 

The TV sector is regulated by the National Media Authority, which also appoints the top management of all State-owned radios. 

The sector is the most politically concentrated with seven radio stations out of ten in the hands of the state either through the National Media Authority (Al Sharq Al Aswat, Sawt Al Arab, Radio Masr, Al Bernameg Alaam) or through the state-owned Nile Radio Company (Mega FM, Nagham FM and Shabee FM). Only one is privately owned (Nogoum FM) while DRN Radio, owned by the Home Media Company closed in the course of the study and transferred to the EMG without any official statement. El Radio 9090 FM is owned by D Media company, which linked to military intelligence.