Egyptian TV Host Protests Censorship, Suspends Broadcasts

Prominent Egyptian political talk show host Yosri Fouda suspended his program indefinitely to protest what he calls efforts by the country’s authorities to stifle free expression. Fouda, host of Last Word on the private satellite channel ONTV, said that his decision is a “cry from the heart” against pressure from Egypt’s military rulers to silence supporters of the revolution’s goals. He also cited “a noticeable deterioration in media freedoms.”

Major General Ismael Etman, a member of the SCAF, denied that the army had censored or forced its viewpoints on the media, though he added that the SCAF requests that the media ensure that their news coverage shows “respect the national interest.”  In a statement Fouda explained that ”this is my way of imposing self-censorship, it is to put the right word out or to say nothing at all.” Joseph Mayton wonders if Fouda’s decision was a good thing for Egypt, or if the country would have benefited more from him continuing his broadcast.

A clip of the show can be seen below.