Media: The constitution provides for freedom of expression, of the press, of publications, and of the media, however, because the government invoked a state of emergency it has made the constitution redundant. Thus the government had free reign to censor and influence the media environment; according to the Egyptian human rights organisation, the people who were legally pursued by the government were individuals and media organizations related to government corruption. The year 2010 was characterised by an escalating media crackdown on the media, building up to the election campaign in November 2010. This crackdown, according to Global Integrity 2010, is said to be due to the fierce debates in which media networks had engaged themselves and which did not please the government; these included whether Gamal Mubarak, the son of Hosni Mubark, was the legitimate successor, the influence of the businessmen dominating the cabinet and other. Early in 2010, former editor of the Egyptian newspaper Al-Dostour, was banned from appearing on a TV show and was subsequently fired, after publishing an editorial critical of the military. The common consent is that he was sacked because of his frank coverage of corruption, according to Freedom House Freedom in the World 2011. Three popular talk shows were also banned, four independent television stations were closed and 15 minor TV channels were banned due to 'financial dues', it was claimed by the government. In fact, the report further notes that during the 2010 elections the independent media proved to be utterly dependent. Social media was crucial in spreading popular discontent about the regime and organising the initial protests. The government's attempts to influence the media environment were most evident during the 25th January Revolution. The government shut down the internet, restricted mobile phone access, foreign journalists were attacked or arrested and Google executive Wael Ghonin was arrested. On 12 February 2011, in line with the demands of the protesters, the Minister of Information, Anas al-Fiqqi, was fired and propaganda from the government media should cease. Several weeks later al-Fiqqi and the head of Egyptian State Television, Osama el-Sheikh, were arrested on corruption allegations, according to an article by The Associated Press. With the situation constantly changing, it is difficult to accurately describe the current media landscape. But, prior to the revolution, the broadcast media were mostly state-owned and toed the official government line. Local newspapers reported on corruption at lower levels, although many journalists reporting on corruption have been imprisoned or assaulted. Egyptian journalists face up to 5 years of imprisonment for publication of false information, defamation or for undermining national institutions, such as the Parliament or army. According to Global Integrity 2010, the government has established a special unit within the Interior Ministry responsible for monitoring crimes resulting from technological developments. The unit is popularly known as 'the internet police' as it has arrested many journalists and political activists who are active on the internet. Freedom House 2011 ranks Egypt 146th out of 196 countries and describes its press environment as 'partly free', while Reporters Without Borders 2010 ranks Egypt 143rd out of 175 countries.

Civil Society: Civil society and activism suffer from a restrictive environment in Egypt. The state of emergency allows the government to search persons and places, intercept e-mails, tap telephones without warrants, and detain suspects indefinitely without charges. Within this environment, citizens are not only denied access to information, but are also punished for acting as watchdogs in the fight against corruption. If one makes a complaint against a public official, one risks being imprisoned for two years if the government disagrees with the complaint. The activities of NGOs in Egypt are regulated by Law No. 84 of 2002, according to which civic associations must register with the Ministry of Social Affairs. The law prohibits NGOs from engaging in political activities, which makes the task of using civic participation to combat corruption very difficult. Foreign funding to NGOs must be approved by the state, with the exception of funds from governments with established development programmes in Egypt. In general, those institutions which can investigate and curb corruption are limited by the many restrictive laws and institutional hindrances in Egypt.

Center For International Private Enterprise Egypt (CIPE Egypt, in Arabic): CIPE works to strengthen democracy through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE's Egyptian office conducts a programme called Combating Corruption and Promoting Transparency, which aims at raising awareness about corruption in Egypt through research and training. As a part of the programme and in collaboration with Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, CIPE Egypt has published the studies Egypt SME Survey Report 2009 and Egypt National Corruption Survey 2009. CIPE Egypt has also made an Arabic version of the Collective Action Guide published by the World Bank Institute Business Fighting Corruption.

Egyptian Transparency Network (ETN): The ETN is a community coalition that aims to cooperate with governmental organisations, NGOs and CSOs. The ETN is implemented by the Development and Institutionalisation Support Center and is supported by USAID. The ETN observes the progress of transparency and integrity issues and provides consultancy and support for anti-corruption mechanisms and strategies to enhance transparency.

Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP): The ACIJLP is a NGO that works to reinforce and support the status of justice, the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession, and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Arab regions.

Egyptians Against Corruption (EAC): The EAC is an organisation that sprang from Afro-Egyptian Human Rights Organisation (AEHRO). The EAC established a website through which people can report incidences of corruption in Egypt.

Global Compact: The Global Compact was introduced in 2004 in Egypt. An Egyptian Global Compact Network with more than 50 Egyptian companies has been established and seminars on different aspects of the Global Compact have been held.

Arabian Alliance for Combating Corruption (AACC): The AACC is an alliance of CSOs dedicated to fighting corruption. It comprises several Arab countries, including Egypt, and is headed by the Yemenite Human Rights Information Training Center. The main aim of the AACC is to raise awareness about the risks of corruption and to enhance the role of CSOs in combating it. The AACC organises capacity-building sessions to empower CSOs in their fight against corruption.