Mervat Mohsen: Egypt’s media is suffering today

Mervat Mohsen, news anchor at Nile International television channel, has defended Egypt’s media but says the industry is clearly beginning to suffer. “Egyptian media right now is somewhere between excitement and suffocation,” she said. “It’s all down to bureaucracy and failures in proper marketing.” “We suffer from administrative corruption – it’s hard to rely on people you can trust now,” Mohsen added. Problems attracting anchors in from abroad means Egyptian channels struggle to rein in new talent. “After 35 years of experience in this industry, things have changed. The new generation wants fame quickly and to have their faces on the screen. But that can’t come without lots of effort and creativity.” The Nile International star host offered to advice to young upstarts: “work hard and learn new cultures and languages.” Mohsen also told Arabstoday she missed the “pioneers” of Egyptian broadcasting – Hind Abu Saud and Malak Ismail.