Observers claim the sanctions are being made to prohibit opposition parties such as the Muslim Brotherhood, pictured.
Leading media watchdog Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF; Reporters Without Borders) has slammed Egyptian state-owned broadcaster Nilesat for its axing 12 channels under the banner of extremism. The group claims the move has been made to undermine the opposition ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections due soon.
The group also believes that the axing is merely the tip of a censorship iceberg, claiming that print media outlets could be the next to suffer. Authorities have already slapped SMS messaging services, earmarked by parties such as the Muslim Brotherhood for promotion, have already been with prohibitive fees.
"The police are really preoccupied with the closure of many satellite TV channels," said a RSF spokesperson.
"We condemn that, and it seems that the decision has been made for the parliamentary elections this year and the presidential elections next year