Egypt revokes licenses for TV satellite uplinks

Cairo: Egypt has revoked licences for satellite television uplinks, the latest in an intensified crackdown on the media ahead of the country's crucial parliamentary elections later this month.

The state-owned Mena news agency says Information Minister Annas Al Fiqi on Monday ordered all companies providing the service or television networks with uplinks to reapply for permits.

The measure will affect about a dozen uplink providers and TV stations. The providers have complained it is aimed at controlling live TV broadcasts such as political talk-shows.

Last month Egypt shut down several private TV channels for violating broadcasting licences - a move the activists say will stifle efforts to mobilize voters for the November elections.