Egyptian and foreign satellite television channels can broadcast the trial of former President Hosni Mubarak and other corrupt figures from his regime free of charge, through state TV, Information Minister Osama Heikal said Monday.
Heikal told the CBC he decided not to sell the broadcasting rights for the trials, for which Egyptian state television has exclusive rights.
The fact that foreign channels must broadcast the trials through Egyptian state television is a major gain for the institution, he said.
Channels may be allowed to broadcast the trial directly – not through Nile News – but must pay certain fees, Heikal added.
Threats by some state television employees to cut off transmission during the trial of former regime figures are "high treason," Heikal emphasized. Anyone who even thinks of doing so is not professional enough and will be handled firmly, he said.
Some state television employees had made such threats in protest of new salary regulations.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
