Historical background

* The Middle East News Agency was established on 15 December 1955 as a joint stock company owned by Egyptian press establishments with a capital which did not exceed at the time LE 20,000. Months later, the government contributed half this sum.

* On 8 February 1956, the Egyptian Cabinet took a decision to establish the agency and on 28 February, it began to distribute its first bulletin by roneo machine.

* On 16 April 1956, MENA began to transmit its service on Tickers as the first regional news agency in the Middle East.

* In 1960, MENA was nationalized along with other press establishments and was affiliated to the Ministry of Information. In 1978, MENA became a national press establishment affiliated to the Shura (consultative) Council, like the other national press institutions.

* MENA secured a mega-leap in 1996 when it began transmission via three satellites, covering Africa, Asia, Europe and South and North America. MENA then used computers in editing and transmitting news through satellites instead of the Tickers.

* In 2007 MENA began transmission via the Egyptian satellite Nilesat alone and since 2017 it has been transmitting its services through its own portal on the internet.

* MENA transmits news to its subscribers daily in Arabic, English, and French.

Updating news tools:

* Out of its keenness to completely transform itself from just offering news services to “monetizing the service”, MENA has over the past ten years developed its existing news services and started introducing new ones, such as the Video Bulletin Service, MENA Social Media Unit and Info Graph Department.

* MENA has also introduced an SMS service to all cell phone operators in Egypt. The move comes in tandem with transmitting news items to its subscribers on its official portal.

* Subscribers access MENA news items and upgraded news services by logging on to its website : www.portal.mena.org.eg

Goals and values :

Since its establishment, the objectives of MENA have been:

* To obtain, transmit and market news from different sources, at home and abroad with objectivity, credibility and professionalism.

MENA, as a regional news agency, presents a clear picture of events and developments of interest to the region, whether they take place in the region or are relevant to it in world capitals.

* To prepare press materials (features, news analyses, photos, researches and studies) and market them at home and abroad. To issue specialized bulletins in Arabic, English and French in the different political, economic, social, sports, scientific, cultural and environmental fields.

* To offer special news services to international news agencies and foreign correspondents resident in Cairo or in the region.

* To offer its press and technical expertise to national news agencies in the Arab world, Africa and Third World countries through the MENA Training Center.

International Cooperation:

* MENA has contracts for cooperation and news exchange with many Arab, regional and foreign news agencies. It is also a founding member of the following agencies : The Islamic News Agency (INA). The Pan-African News Agency (PANA). The Non-Aligned News Agencies Pool. The Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA). The Association of Mediterranean News Agencies (AMAN).

MENA Administrative Structure: 

This daily task, turning MENA into a beehive nest, achieves its aims through an administrative system, which ensures discipline, flexibility, smoothness, quick communication and positive interaction among all sectors of the agency.

The Board Chairman and Chief Editor: 

runs the daily work of the agency through ten sectors, including the administrative department. Mr Ahmed Kamal, one of MENA's long-serving journalists who has worked in the various editorial departments, is the current board chairman and editor in chief.

The Board of Directors:  

Is made up of 12 members in addition to the Chairman. Half of the 12-member Board is elected by direct ballot. The Board of Directors is in charge of charting strategies, plans of action, annual budgets and projects aimed at upgrading MENA performance

The General Assembly:  

Is comprised of 30 members, half of which are elected by direct ballot. It is in charge of following up the performance of the Board of Directors, ratifying plans of action and endorsing annual budgets.

Editorial board:

The agency's editorial process is being overseen by an editorial board made up of deputy chief editors and editorial advisers from the various departments of the agency. It convenes under the chief editor, and in his absence, the oldest deputy chief editor takes his place. The board holds a daily meeting, during which board members discuss the agenda of the day, correspondents' and reporters' inputs as well as future plans and any problems facing work flow.