Radio Horytna, one of Egypt’s most prominent web-radios, is run by Mohamed Ezz Aldin, webcaster, website and advertising manager who makes it his responsibility to organize various meetings with young Arab leaders.
Horytna, our freedom in Arabic, arguably webcasts the voices of today’s generation and is helping young Egyptian media professionals shine right through it.
It is set on a youth-focused mission that promotes human rights, citizenship, freedom of expression and democracy.
Founder of eZz CreationZ, Ezz was asked by the radio station’s creator Ahmed Samih during the station’s initial stages to contribute to it with his graphic design expertise and design the invitation cards for the event celebrating its launch.
With time, Samih began to unravel other skills that he believed Ezz possesses.
“He knew I was an experienced blogger when he asked me to prepare an idea for a radio program addressing blogging. And so, my first ever Horytna web-radio program Blog On Air was born discussing freedom of expression and the value of blogging with talented young Egyptian bloggers, said Ezz.
Being a professional blogger himself, he wrote the first Egyptian guide “Alef Beh Tadwin, or “ABC Blogging.
“Blog on Air remained in the top rankings for the seven months it was webcast. Its success echoed when Ezz was asked to be a guest speaker for “Shababik, a popular youth program broadcast on Dream TV satellite channel.
He then hosted his second hit radio show “el Weekend taking online listeners by storm since it was introduced in December 2007 and causing an increase in listeners from 560 listeners per day up to 1,200.
“El Weekend hosted numerous unique guests like musicians Nasseer Shamma, Sherine Tohamy, Wust El Balad, and writer Omar Taher, among others.
“We manage to cover unusual topics with our guests, Ezz explained.
“When hosting the Iraqi musician Nasseer Shamma, we objectively discussed with him the Iraqi refugee problem, enriching our listeners. We then started receiving calls from different public figures asking to be featured on our shows, said Ezz.
“Haqqaq which translates to “Your Right, is another program webcast by Ezz and Doaa Kasem aimed at informing youth about human rights and other relevant issues.
“Coincidently, we were heard by UN staff, and as a result we now collaborate with them on their project “Muwaten Araby Mas’oul [A responsible Arab Citizen], he added proudly.
Such achievements are the outcome of congregated efforts since March 2007. “Our team is made up of focused young aspiring media professionals creating a unique web-radio and news platform experience, he said.
The online journalistic dimension is driven by a team of 16 young journalists.
“We enjoyed successes of online news hits through reports covering Bedouins on strike in Sinai in July 2007 and real estate tax collectors on strike.
Addressing Egyptian and Arab youth from all walks of life, Ezz insists the online radio station has no political agenda. “We work to deliver a dynamic humanitarian framework. At all times, it is the webcasters’ responsibility to keep our mission abreast, Ezz said.
As the advertising strategist for Horytna and its 44 webcast programs, Ezz hopes for Radio Horytna to broadcast on FM wavelength.
“We want more people to hear us, given the same freedom of expression we enjoy now.
He continues to expand eZz CreationZ in the field of advertising; “I live by the slogan ‘There is always something better’.
Ezz sees potential in new media innovations in Egypt; “Web-radios are becoming popular. In the old days, people used to tune in to the radio morning programs. This habit is now bypassed by an extremely busy fast-paced lifestyle. Horytna worked to pull the best from societal change of habits, by offering a useful web-radio experience for youth.
But the road to success is not easy and though still in its initial stages, and Radio Horytna only managed to overcome financial challenges through the funding and academic supervision provided by the Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence Studies.
“It is a matter of either persevering until the end of the road to glory, or fail. And at Radio Horytna, we hate failure, boasted Ezz.
“Being brought up by a father who was a police officer made me committed, disciplined, organized and a perfectionist. It certainly paid off later .
“Young people must be passionate about realizing their dreams, Ezz said.
