Egyptian TV network's sale concerns free press advocates
Private Egyptian security company Falcon acquires Al-Hayat TV network, sparking concerns over the state’s grip on the media.
CAIRO — It appears the Egyptian government has indirectly tightened its hold on the media yet again. An Egyptian security company's subsidiary acquired Al-Hayat TV network for 1.4 billion Egyptian pounds ($80 million) from Sigma Media Group.
Tawasol for Public Relations and Media, a subsidiary of Falcon Group, bought the network Sept. 13. Falcon provides security for diplomats, the United Nations offices in Egypt and government officials and facilities.
Falcon is a private company, but it is headed by Sherif Khaled, the former undersecretary of the Egyptian Military Intelligence and Reconnaissance Administration. The company was established in 2006 and gained momentum following the revolution in January 2011. In 2014, the Ministry of Higher Education contracted the company to provide security services to 12 Egyptian universities. On Aug. 22, Falcon signed a contract with the Ministry of Electricity to read electricity meters.
Falcon Group began its media activity in Egypt by launching DRN radio station July 19 and has been busy ever since. At the end of July, the company announced it was launching Tawasol, and on Aug. 28 Falcon bought the private al-Assema channel.
