تاريخ حافل بالإنجازات ... 65 عاما على انطلاق اول بث للتلفزيون المصري

Quick Overview

Egyptian Television, which launched on July 21, 1960, with President Gamal Abdel Nasser's voice, celebrates 65 years of achievements, evolving from black and white to color and pioneering satellite broadcasting in the Arab world by 1990, largely due to the vision of its spiritual father, Dr. Abdel Qader Hatem. The broadcast's anniversary prompts discussions on its historical impact, the role of social media influencers in modern media, and a unique art project in Aswan celebrating local identity.

Key Points: Egyptian Television commenced its first official broadcast on July 21, 1960, from the Maspero building on the Nile, with the inaugural words spoken by President Gamal Abdel Nasser. The initial broadcast lasted five hours, featuring announcer Salah Zaki and a subsequent concert with major Arab stars like Abdel Halim Hafez. Dr. Abdel Qader Hatem, then Minister of Information and Deputy Prime Minister, is credited as the "spiritual father" and visionary behind the establishment of Egyptian Television, selecting its iconic Nile-side location. Egypt transitioned its television broadcasts to color in October (post-1960) and became the first Arab country to launch a satellite channel in 1990. Veteran announcers like Farida El-Zomor and Suzan Hassan recall the early days, noting that Egyptian TV was the second in the Arab world but the first national one, and that Dr. Hatem fostered a "cultural seminar" environment for announcers. A contemporary debate highlights the tension between film critic Tarek El-Shennawy, who advocates for directorial freedom in casting social media influencers based on talent, and Syndicate Head Dr. Ashraf Zaki, who insists on professional training and proposes fines for using unqualified TikTokers in artistic works. The "Dahab Aswan" (Aswan Gold) project, initiated 15 years ago by artists Maha Gamal and Ali Abdel Fattah, involves painting the faces of Aswan locals on city walls to affirm local identity, with one mural featuring 300 faces, receiving positive reception from the community.