CAIRO — A prominent Egyptian statesman criticized a local TV station Saturday for stopping the airing of a widely popular satire show, describing the decision as unwise and harmful to the country.
Private broadcaster CBC said the program by Bassem Youssef, often compared to comedian Jon Stewart, would not be shown because the satirist and his producer violated editorial policy.
The decision appeared to be a reaction to the criticism Youssef came under after his first episode following a hiatus mocked the country’s nationalist fervor. But suspending the program caused an outcry among Youssef’s fan base and public figures who said it undermined freedom of expression.
Some called for a boycott of the station, and dozens of fans staged a rally near the theatre where Youssef records his program.
Amr Moussa, a former presidential candidate who is chairman of a panel tasked with amending Egypt’s constitution, urged CBC to reconsider a decision.
“Suspending Bassem Youssef’s program is an unwise decision that stirred resentment and concern by many about freedoms,” Moussa said in a statement.
