Public officials end broadcasts in Egypt

Deutsche Welle has broadcast the show weekly since May 2 as part of its Arabic TV programming. DW condemns the Egyptian officials' intervention as a massive affront to press freedom and free expression. Germany's foreign broadcaster has pledged its support to ONTV in Cairo in the latter's efforts to continue to produce and broadcast the show for an Arab audience.

On Saturday, May 16, DW proceeded to present the third episode online and on TV. ONTV says it is exhausting all avenues to continue producing the show and possibly distribute it on other platforms.

In the series "Women at a Turning Point," courageous women take a stance on social and political issues. Reem Maged is one of the most influential voices and popular presenters in Egypt. "Economic, social and cultural topics must also finally be taken up and discussed widely," she said at the beginning of May, marking the first broadcast of the German-Egyptian coproduction.

"The show is culturally valuable and important for our Arab audience. Women can learn many things first-hand about significant personalities and their projects," explains Naser Schruf, head of DW's Arabic program. "DW is promoting socially critical discourse, emphasizing dialogue and the presentation of cultural diversity along the way," Schruf adds.

In the first edition of "Women at a Turning Point," Egypt's cultural heritage was in focus through a conversation with researcher Shahira Mihrez. The second episode featured the renowned Egyptian photographer Iman Hilal as Reem Maged's interview partner. The topics discussed included her pictures of the Egyptian revolution.

Reem Maged has already hosted a political talk show for Egyptian broadcaster ONTV in the past. The new series stems from a partnership between DW and ONTV that has been in place for four years. As part of this collaboration, Reem Maged will be a guest from June 22 to 24 at Deutsche Welle's Global Media Forum in Bonn.