From flabby to fit: Restructuring the public broadcasting system in Egypt
Abstract
The Egyptian public broadcaster, newly named the National Media Council (NMC), has been under pressure to undergo comprehensive restructuring. Many changes have taken place recently to enable this transformation. Through analysing financial reports, evaluating the new regulatory framework and conducting in-depth interviews, this study examines the likelihood of the NMC adapting to the recent changes and the extent to which the new regulatory framework promotes a public service system suggesting a model for implementation. Findings show that the NMC must respond to four main challenges: lack of strategic vision and identity, a centralized regime power structure, an acute financial deficit, and a weak digital presence. Interviewees evaluated the new regulatory framework as inexhaustive with an intention to maintain grip on power. Interviewees proposed an integrated decentralized model that combines the public service mission with private partnership.
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Biographies
Dr. Rasha Allam is an assistant professor and the associate chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, at The American University in Cairo. Allam’s research interests include Egyptian and Arab media management systems and business models, Arab broadcast, electronic and social media laws, policies and regulations. Her publications address several issues, such as constructive journalism in the Arab region, the use of analytics inside newsrooms and the functionality of media business models. Allam worked as an international media consultant and trainer with several international organizations, such as UNESCO, UNICEF and the Facebook Journalism project.
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Article first published online: June 10, 2021
Issue published: December 2021
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