Former Miss Lebanon, Nicole Baradwil, is still creating controversy in Egypt over her new program "Samme'na Sawtak" (Let's Hear Your Voice), which is airing on Egypt’s Channel 2.
The London-based Asharq al Awsat reported recently that several concerns have arisen over this program. While some people welcomed the idea, others considered it a new phenomenon on local Egyptian channels, wondering if it is really impossible to find any Egyptian presenter instead of Lebanese.
The Americana Company, which produces the program, was behind bringing Nicole to Channel 2. “Many have been used to look down instead of forward. I do not deny that there are beautiful and well-educated Egyptian announcers, but Nicole’s presence is to promote marketing of the program to all the Arab TV stations,” the head of Americana, Tareq Nour, told the newspaper.
“I want to tell people that all the team members of the program are Egyptians, even the program is shot in Egypt. It is not a weird thing for me to seek a Lebanese announcer as long as this will guarantee success for the program from the media and marketing point of view,” Nour added.
Though Baradwil has never been an announcer before, she successfully passed the test the company made, and was selected for the job.
Nour said that he got the green light from the Egyptian TV head, Zainab Swaidan and Channel 2 head, Mervat Farrag. “They showed their approval for the program because it has generated profits for the channel and at the same time is considered one of Channel 2’s most successful programs.”
Salma Shammaa’, head of Nile Channel, has another opinion on the affair. She said that “all violations are committed in the name of production. If we look at the Arab channels abroad we won’t see a single Lebanese channel seeking even one Egyptian announcer. Each state uses its citizens for such purposes and there is no need for other countries’ announcers to appear on the Egyptian TV. I am in total disagreement with what has happened.”
Nicole who sparked the controversy is still awaiting the opinion of the fans. Will Miss Lebanon who presents “Samme’na Sawtak” succeed in her mission and open the door widely for other Lebanese announcers to appear on the Egyptian TV or will fans refuse her? The days to come will bring us the answer to this question. - Albawaba.com
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
