(CAIRO, EGYPT) — Lebanese anchorwomen may be a little much for Egyptian television viewers to handle these days.
Asharq Al-Awsat reports that Lebanese women are sparking controversy among conservative Egyptian TV executives because they’re considered “exotic” by the Egyptian general public.
It adds that Lebanese anchorwomen are more “relaxed” and “outgoing,” which threatens the jobs of homegrown journalists, who are generally more tense and impartial.
But the Lebanese style of broadcasting has boosted ratings and saved money for Egyptian TV channels, according to a TV executive speaking on the condition of anonymity.
“A satellite channel is essentially a business enterprise and Lebanese anchorwomen accept lower pay compared to others,” a senior executive at a private Egyptian TV channel told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“They are ready to work at any time, and are willing to go out in the field and present from the ground. As for Egyptian presenters, time is a major problem since they follow strict working hours.”
The analyst added, however, that Lebanese women have a “special appeal” for the Egyptian public.
Egyptian journalist Faten Abdul-Ma’boud, who works for Egypt’s state-owned TV channel, says it only becomes a problem when “Egyptians start copying their style of dress and presenting.”
Abdul-Ma’boud warns that Egyptian anchorwomen may feel compelled to change their fashion choices to resemble the Lebanese newbies.
“The way Lebanese anchorwomen dress is incompatible with the conventional dress code the Egyptian viewer is used to seeing,” she told Asharq Al-Awsat. “Many Egyptian households may not accept the ‘Lebanese style’ which they are not used to seeing on Egyptian screens.”
Among the new Lebanese faces on Egypt’s TV screes are Raghda Shalhoub, a new addition to Al-Hayat TV, and Liliane Daoud, who was recently hired by ONTV.
Farouk Abu Zeid, head of the media department at Egypt’s Misr University for Science and Technology, said the job threat for homegrown Egyptian journalists is an “over-exaggeration.”
“There is no problem; the number of Lebanese TV presenters working in Egypt currently stands at just between 20 and 30,” he said.