Media Institution Licensing in Egypt | Law 180 of 2018 Requirements

Step-by-Step Guide to Media Institution Establishment in Egypt

The media sector in Egypt is experiencing unprecedented expansion, driven by the development
of digital technology and growing demand for visual, audio and electronic content. With this
rapid growth, establishing a media institution, whether it be a satellite channel, an online
platform, a digital newspaper, or a media production company, has become a promising
investment opportunity that requires a deep understanding of the legal framework governing this
sector.
With the enactment of Law 180 of 2018 on Press, Media and the Supreme Council for Media
Regulation (“Law”), the licensing and establishment procedures have become clearer, but, at the
same time, require specialised legal expertise to ensure strict compliance with all conditions and
controls.
This Article provides a simplified and comprehensive practical guide for investors and
professionals wishing to enter the Egyptian media market by reviewing the most important legal
requirements, procedural stages, and regulatory controls necessary for establishing and operating
media institutions. It also highlights the role of the relevant authorities, the most important
challenges that may affect investors, and how to overcome them efficiently to ensure a sound and
successful legal start.
Whether you are an investor seeking to establish a satellite channel or a professional seeking to
launch a digital media platform, this Article provides a reliable legal reference that will help you
take informed steps in line with the advanced Egyptian legislation and make the most of the
opportunities available in this vital sector.

 Media institutions are institutions that manage media outlets (terrestrial and satellite television
channels, radio stations, and electronic media). There are public media institutions established by
the National Authority for the Management of Public Media.
 A website is a licensed page, link, or electronic application through which journalistic,
informational, or advertising content is presented in text, audio, or video form, whether static,
animated, or multimedia. It is published under a specific name, has a specific address and
domain, and is created, hosted, or accessed through the international information network (the
Internet).
 Online media or commercial advertising services are content that promotes businesses,
services, products, or individuals through the international information network (the Internet).

 Basic regulations on media institutions and websites:
1. Media institutions and websites are prohibited from publishing or broadcasting any material or
advertisement that contravenes the provisions of the Constitution and the Law, violates the code
of professional ethics, public order or public morals, or incites violence, racism or hatred.
2. No media outlet or website shall be licensed or permitted to continue operating if it is based on
religious or sectarian discrimination, discrimination based on gender or origin, sectarian or ethnic
discrimination, or incitement to obscenity, hatred, or violence.
3. Websites may not be established in Egypt without obtaining a licence from the Supreme
Council for Media Regulation.

 The Authority Competent for Granting Licenses to Media Outlets or Websites:
 No media outlet, website, or advertisement may be established or operated without first
obtaining a licence from the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (“Council”). The Council
shall determine the conditions and requirements for such licences.
 The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (“NTRA”) is responsible for issuing
licences for the establishment or operation of telecommunications networks or the provision of
telecommunications services.
 Broadcasting or rebroadcasting from outside the media areas approved by the Council is not
permitted. As an exception, broadcasting from outside such areas is permitted provided that the
office or company has an operation studio at the Egyptian Media Production City. A prior permit
is issued by the Council, specifying the time and place of broadcast.

 Main requirements for establishing and owning a media outlet or website:
1. Egyptians (natural or legal, public or private, persons) have the right to own media outlets or
websites. Foreigners may not own a majority stake or a stake that grants them management
rights.
2. Anyone who owns or contributes to the ownership of a media outlet or website shall not be
deprived of exercising their political rights. They shall not have been convicted of a felony or
misdemeanour involving dishonesty or breach of trust, unless their reputation has been cleared.
3. Media outlets that broadcast or rebroadcast audio, visual, electronic, or digital content on the
international information network shall be organized as companies consisting of one or more
persons.
4. The company may not own more than seven television channels, and may not include more
than one general channel and one news channel.
5. The Council shall prepare a form for licensing media outlets or websites to engage in media
activities. The form shall specify the media outlet or website’s purpose, target audience, editorial

policy, the names of chairperson and board members, and articles of association, in accordance
with the licence application.
6. The media outlet or website shall appoint an Egyptian manager registered with the Media
Professionals or Journalists Syndicate to be responsible for the content of the channel's visual,
audio, or digital programmes.
7. The media outlet shall appoint a person responsible for broadcasting, who must be full-time
and have full legal capacity.
8. Media outlets and websites shall bear legal responsibility for any errors in the exercise of their
activities, as well as for any violations of the professional values or standards established by the
Council.

 Licensing of media institutions and websites:
1. Before obtaining the media licence, the legal entity of the company shall be established, and
the memorandum of association or articles of association, commercial register and tax card shall
be issued.
2. A bank account shall be opened and capital shall be verified in accordance with the following
legal regulations:
- The authorised capital of the company operating the news or public television channel shall not
be less than EGP 50 million.
- The capital of the specialised television channel company shall not be less than EGP 30
million.
- The capital of the company for each radio station shall not be less than EGP 15 million.
- The capital of the company for the television station or electronic or digital channel on the
website shall not be less than EGP 2.5 million.
- Half of the amount shall be deposited in a bank supervised by the Central Bank, prior to the
commencement of broadcasting, for a period of at least one year. This amount shall be used to
cover the station or channel's operating expenses and to pay the salaries of employees.
- As an exception, the Council may, for reasons of public interest and by reasoned decision, grant
broadcasting licences to companies whose capital is less than the amounts specified above.
- The company's founders shall subscribe to or contribute at least 35% of the company's capital.
This percentage shall not decrease during the five years following the granting of the
broadcasting licence.
- Public media institutions and public media outlets are exempt from the above requirements.

3. Application for a license to establish or operate a media outlet or website shall be submitted to
the General Secretariat of the Council, as per the specified forms. The required information shall
be provided (name, surname and nationality of the owner of the media outlet; language of
broadcasting, type of activity and sources of funding – if the owner is a legal entity, the
commercial register shall be submitted).
The application shall be accompanied by a receipt for payment of the applicable fees, which are:
EGP 250,000 for the media outlet and EGP 50,000 for the website.
Following examination of the application, a report on the status of the application shall be
prepared and submitted by the Licensing Committee to the Council, within 30 days of the date of
referral of the application, for consideration of whether or not to issue the licence. The Council
shall issue its decision on the application for acceptance or rejection within 90 days of the date of
receipt of the application. The applicant shall be notified of the Council's decision by registered
letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
4. Upon issuance of the decision by the Council, approving the licensing of media institutions,
the licence shall be issued for a period of five years and may be renewed upon request by the
licensee to the Council six months prior to expiry.
5. The media outlet shall be launched within one year of the date of issuance of the licence,
unless the Council agrees to grant the licensee an additional year for reasons it deems justified.
6. Media outlets and websites shall publish their approved budgets and final accounts in two
widely circulated daily newspapers within four months of the end of the financial year.
 Can media outlets be transferred to third parties?
The media outlet or any part thereof may not be transferred to a third party or merged into
another media institution without first applying to the Council. Written approval from the
Council shall be obtained prior to the transfer.
The application shall be submitted in accordance with the form prepared for that purpose and
accompanied by the necessary documents specified by the Council.
A natural or legal person who owns or holds a share in a media outlet that entitles them to
management rights shall, upon losing or relinquishing their Egyptian nationality, transfer
ownership of the media outlet or the excess shares entitling them to management rights to an
Egyptian natural or legal person within a maximum of six months from the date of losing or
relinquishing their Egyptian nationality. Written approval of the Council shall be obtained for
such disposal.
If no action is taken during that period, the licence shall be suspended for six months. If no
action is taken by the end of the suspension period, the media outlet's licence shall be revoked,
unless the Council decides to extend the suspension period for another six months for reasons it
deems appropriate.

In conclusion, establishing media institutions in Egypt is a process requiring a thorough
understanding of the legal framework and licensing procedures. Despite the complexity of the
requirements, specialised legal expertise makes the path clearer and safer. This highlights the
role of Sadany & Partners Law Firm, a firm with a proven ability to support investors and
professionals by providing accurate advice and managing incorporation and licensing files
efficiently.
With Ssadany & Partners Law Firm, your media project transforms from an idea into a legal
entity to be launched with confidence and stability.