Over the last 3 years in Egypt and the Middle East, supporters of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in Egypt have increasingly relied on satellite television channels to garner support and further its opposition to the current Egyptian regime. Following the Arab Spring several channels were launched to promote the Brotherhood's narrative. Many are owned by the Muslim Brotherhood and are financed by sources in Turkey and Qatar.
Coverage of events in Egypt by these channels led to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry calling to close the subsidiary of the Muslim Brotherhood satellite channels via French satellite "YOTEL Sat," which incites violence and destruction of state institutions.
Additionally, Egypt has demanded European Union (EU) ambassadors to close TV channels associated with the outlawed MB and broadcasted via European satellites, Al-Masry Al-youm reported Wednesday.
Other channels, such as Al Jazeera, Rab'aa, Al Sharq, Al Hewar, and Misr Al'An, also have drawn hate from Egypt's government and its supporters.
Qatar's Al Jazeera is known for alienating Egypt post Jan. 25, as it was an ardent supporter of ousted President Mohamed Morsi and continues to voice opposition to Al Sisi's government. On Tuesday, it broadcast what was reportedly live coverage of a deadly attack in Sinai that left dozens dead and hundreds injured.
Rab'aa, broadcast out of Istanbul, has become one of the most provocative channels. Named after the pro-MB sit-in that was broken up in July of 2013, it regularly calls for violence and continued opposition to the current Egyptian regime. It recently published a message warning foreigners not to visit Egypt, giving them until February 11 to leave the country.
Channel of the East (Qanat Al Sharq) was launched in April 2014 out of Turkey, and is owned by MB spokesperson "Khafagi." It recently published leaked recordings reportedly of Al Sisi and other top officials discussing Morsi's imprisonment.
The Dialogue (Al Hewar) is yet another channel owned by an MB leader, Azzam Tamimi which is older than other channels, have been launched from London in 2006. Egyptian hackers reportedly took down the channel in recent months. "Misr Al'An" or "Egypt Now" launched in August 6, 2014 from Turkey. It made waves on the recent anniversary of the Jan. 25 Revolution when broadcaster Mohamed Nasser threatened policemen and their wives on air, calling on viewers to "kill Sisi's policemen," and telling policemen's wives, "Your husband will be killed."
Other channels run by chapters of the MB in Jordan and elsewhere continue to create problems in Egyptian society, which is sharply divided following the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi June 2013.
