CAIRO - Egypt's state-owned Nilesat has temporarily suspended 12 television channels for promoting religion hatred, violence and quack medicine, the information minister said on Tuesday.
"This decision was taken after extensive study that indicated a near doubling of these channels over the past year and a recent spike of extremist religious discourse," said Anas Al-Feki in a statement.
"Among the most egregious of these violations are repeated broadcast calls by extremist presenters for the excommunication, banishment and murder of Shiites and the promotion of so-called 'herbal cures' for cancer and hepatitis B and C," he said.
He said 20 other channels were given citations. The move came after Nilesat dropped five channels it said promoted religious intolerance.
Ahmad Anis, chairman of the state's Egyptian Radio and Television Union, said the channels would be allowed back on air if they comply with Nilesat regulations, according to a statement forwarded by the government's foreign press office.
The decision might be taken by the country's opposition as further government intervention in the media ahead of parliamentary elections in November.
It came after the government tightened controls on companies that send out mass text messages and firms that provide foreign television with satellite feeds and facilities.
But the minister denied the move threatened the freedom of the country's media.
"The Egyptian people who have entrusted their government with their air waves expect them to protect the public interest and they are determined to do so while honoring the legitimate freedom of expression that Egyptians cherish and expect," he said.
