Egyptian TV inflames divisive politics
Some political talk shows in Egypt are contributing to the country's bitter polarization.
CAIRO — Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the man widely expected to win Egypt's presidential elections at the end of this month, has made his television interview debut with talk show barons Ibrahim Eissa and Lamees al-Hadidi.
The two-part program, aired on independent channels ONtv and CBC simultaneously on May 5 and 6, largely showed Sisi in control. The man still affectionately referred to as the "field marshal" had only appeared on Egyptian television sets to make speeches or announcements — like the removal of Mohammed Morsi as president, or his intention to run as president.
"There will be nothing called the Muslim Brotherhood during my tenure," he was quoted as saying on Monday night. Sisi also took host Eissa to task for using the term eskar (military rule), warning he would "not allow him to use it again," Mada Masr quoted him as saying. Tough questions were few and far between.
In Tuesday's interview, Sisi discussed challenges facing Egypt — the energy crisis, sexual harassment, the economy, foreign policy — playing to his support base but perhaps alienating liberals on social media.
