MBC Masr has suspended Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssefs talk show until the end of May. MBC Masr said it would keep the show off-air until after the presidential election on May 26-27 to avoid influencing the Egyptian voters opinions and public opinion, AFP reported. Youssef became one of the most watched Arab TV personalities during […]
MBC Masr has suspended Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssefs talk show until the end of May. MBC Masr said it would keep the show off-air until after the presidential election on May 26-27 to avoid influencing the Egyptian voters opinions and public opinion, AFP reported.
Youssef became one of the most watched Arab TV personalities during the one-year rule of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. His weekly show Al Bernameg made fun of Morsi and his supporters and became a hit throughout the Middle East via YouTube.
Youssefs show was suspended by the Egyptian satellite television channel CBC last year and then it returned to MBC Masr early this year.
Former army chief of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who is credited with leading the countrys drive to oust Morsi in July last year and crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, is the frontrunner to win the election but also has been targeted by Youssefs banter, at a time when the interim regime has been arresting journalists and those who publicly comment on the countrys political situation.
Al Bernameg was previously axed by the Morsi government, which accused him of threatening public security and insulting religion.
