Prominent Egyptian journalist and television broadcaster Mahmoud Saed unexpectedly announced his resignation from the show “Masr Al Naharda” (Egypt Today), aired on the official Egyptian television station. Mahmoud decided to leave the program the day before he was scheduled to interview acting Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmad Shafeeq.
According to the London based Elaph, Mahmoud apologized for not being able to conduct the interview with Shafeeq.
Sources at the station said that Mahmoud’s resignation and his refusal to hold an interview with Shafeeq is due to the people’s rejection of Shafeeq.
Mahmoud supported the protests and the 25 January revolution that overthrew the government of former Egyptian President Husni Mubarak.
Other sources claim that Mahmoud’s decision stems from a decision by Shafeeq to reduce the salary of journalists and broadcasters working for Egyptian television.
Mahmoud said that he is not interested in interviewing Shafeeq because the people of Egypt refuse to accept him, and that his resignation from the television station is final.
In a statement to the television station, Shafeeq said that Mahmoud’s actions were uncalled for and that he was unaware of any issue regarding Mahmoud’s salary.
