Egypt closes Orbit’s Cairo studios

Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabia is quoting local sources saying that Orbit has prevaricated over paying its rent at Egypt’s Media Production City (EMPC). Orbit is now part of the Orbit Showtime Network but still produces content for its Arabic channels.

The Al-Quds newspaper says the decision to close Orbit down was made on Saturday “thus causing much surprise in media circles and prompting questions about the decision’s connection with the start of the elections campaigns in Egypt”.

The closure coincides with Egyptian speculation that pressure is being exerted on another private Egyptian satellite channel after its staff ignored complaints from senior leaders in the ruling party about programmes “which paint a bleak picture of the situations in Egypt.”