Egypt condemns MBC comedy show
November 2, 2015
By Chris Forrester
The head of Egypt’s Radio & Television Union (ERTU), Essam El-Amir has strongly condemned a comedy show broadcast by MBC’s Misr (Egypt) dedicated channel. On November 1, he demanded an official apology from the Saudi-owned MBC-Misr channel following sarcastic comments made by its popular comedy TV host Abu-Hafiza, which mocked Egypt’s state TV.
The show – As’ad Allah Masa’akum – (Wish You Good Evening) has frequently upset the establishment.
The much-loved host of the comedy show, Akram Hosni, who often takes a comedic and sarcastic view of much of which is broadcast by Egypt’s state-run channels, defended the clip. “I dare anyone to say that what I presented in the show was untrue,” he said during a televised interview.
Through his fictional TV character, Hosni sarcastically criticises different aspects of life in Egypt, from education to social traditions and politics.
ERTU is not standing down, and says it plans to sue MBC if no apology is received.