German TV to give Egypt satirist Bassem Youssef pan-Arab airing

German-based broadcaster Deutsche Welle said Monday that it will show across the Arab world a TV program by the popular Egyptian satirist bassem Youssef who has ruffled feathers at home.
     
Deutsche Welle plans to show Bassem Youssef's "Al Bernameg" series on its international Arabic channel and online immediately after its first screening on the MBC Egypt channel.
     
Private broadcaster CBC suspended Youssef's show last fall after the season's first episode, which was highly critical of the nationalist fervor gripping Egypt after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi. That followed large protests calling for Youssef's removal.
     
CBC said the satirist had violated its editorial policy and contractual obligations, and that he upset Egyptian sensibilities by attacking "symbols of the state." Egyptian government and presidential officials at the time said the decision was a private issue between Youssef and the station.
     
Deutsche Welle Director General Peter Limbourg said that its broadcast will bring Youssef's show to people across the region and the decision was meant as "a clear stance in favor of freedom of the press and opinion."


AP