A crisis has erupted within the Muslim Brotherhood's media outlets, which are based abroad and hostile to the Egyptian state. Several channels affiliated with the organization have laid off staff, revealing growing internal conflicts over the management of media institutions and funding sources. Critics within the Brotherhood accuse leaders of monopolizing funding, leaving employees to face the consequences of the crisis.
According to Hassan Al-Ashri, a Brotherhood member living abroad, over 15 media institutions affiliated with the group have faced crises simultaneously. He stated that these institutions rely on a single financier and operate under a unified funding mechanism, but with different beneficiaries. This has raised questions about the distribution of funding and its allocation, particularly as the organization's media outlets face challenges that threaten their continued operation.
Al-Ashri criticized the Brotherhood's leadership for its management style, describing it as dictatorial. He emphasized that employees at the channels were among those most affected by recent decisions, including layoffs, while leaderships' share of funding is allegedly much larger than that of employees. This situation highlights a deeper crisis that goes beyond mere cost-cutting or staff reductions, exposing disagreements over financial resource management and the relationship between the organization's leaders and its media institutions.
Maher Ferghli, a researcher on extremist groups, noted that the Brotherhood's media platforms face a severe financial crisis, affecting employees' conditions. He mentioned that the "Mokamelin" channel reduced employee salaries by 60%, with indications that the crisis may escalate and potentially lead to the shutdown of one of the Brotherhood's channels due to delayed salary payments and worsening financial scenarios.
Ferghli attributed the crisis to the halt of funding from one of the primary financiers, despite continued support from other sources. He also pointed to changes in the map of financiers and the transfer of funds, coinciding with a restructuring within the international Brotherhood organization. This restructuring was influenced by decisions taken by some European countries and US President Donald Trump's policies.
The repercussions of the crisis extend beyond layoffs and delayed salaries within "Mokamelin" and "Al-Sharq" channels, affecting numerous websites and electronic platforms affiliated with the Brotherhood. These platforms face increasing financial pressures, with external reviews of the Brotherhood's media policies, particularly in light of the role played by some European countries in hosting Brotherhood elements and entities.
Ferghli highlighted that one of the crisis' key aspects is the intersection of interests between some Zionist organizations, which use humanitarian facades, and Brotherhood elements. This intersection facilitates pathways to obtain new licenses and seek political asylum, targeting voices that support the Egyptian state. The situation reflects a complex web of interests and power struggles within the Brotherhood's media landscape.
Key points
- Muslim Brotherhood's internal dispute over funding and media management has led to layoffs and salary reductions across its media channels.
- The crisis is attributed to changes in funding sources and a restructuring within the international Brotherhood organization.
- External reviews of the Brotherhood's media policies and interests of some Zionist organizations are exacerbating the situation.
