Shahira Amin
Shahira Amin (Arabic: شهيرة أمين [ʃæˈhiːɾæ ʔæˈmiːn]) is an Egyptian journalist, the former deputy head of Egyptian state-owned Nile TV and one of its senior anchors. She resigned from the position on February 3, 2011. She said she quit over what she "considered to be its biased coverage" of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011.[1]
Shahira Amin شهيرة أمين | |
---|---|
Nationality | Egyptian |
Occupation | Former Deputy Head of Nile TV News anchor |
Amin became the subject of criticism after she interviewed Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit on October 18, 2011 in Egypt, following Shalit's release from more than five years of captivity in Gaza but preceding his return to Israel and reunification with his family.[2][3][4] Israeli officials and various commentators said the interview, which they alleged was held in the presence of armed, masked Hamas militants, broke the ethical rules of journalism and violated the terms of Shalit's release.[2][5] Disputing that the interview was held in the presence of armed Hamas militants, Amin stated that it is "true that he was brought in by armed Hamas men, but in the room itself there were only Egyptian intelligence people. They didn't intervene, and neither did the Hamas men". She described the criticism as "incorrect" stating "I'm a journalist, and any journalist would want to conduct an interview that would be aired all over the world".[6] Amin also defended the interview by saying that it was conducted "after he had been released by Hamas and had a medical checkup by the Red Cross." But a Red Cross spokesman later said that no such medical check-up took place.[7]
During the interview, Amin asked Shalit why Egypt had successfully brokered his release, and what he would like to say to Egypt.[8] Amin subsequently explained, "For five years Mubarak made promises and nothing happened, and now, eight months after his removal, things started moving and resulted in a deal, and I believe the [Egyptian] government and the [Egyptian] military council are due credit".[6] As a result, Amin was criticized for producing "a propaganda video"[5] and "fishing for compliments for Egypt."[4][9] Amin also asked Shalit why the world heard from him "just once" while he was in captivity, and she asked him, "What has the experience taught you?"[10] This prompted one commentator to opine that Amin's interview "questions ranged from the illogical to the ridiculous."[9] Other journalists characterized the interview as "merciless"[11] and "insensitive".[12]
References
- Amin, Shahira (February 10, 2011). "Egyptian state TV anchor Shahira Amin: 'propaganda made me quit'". The National.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15368819 Gilad Shalit Release: Shahira Amin Defends Interview - BBC. Retrieved on 2011-10-19.
- Egyptian reporter: I did not take advantage of Shalit, YNet, 2011-10-19.
- https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/world/middleeast/shalit-interview-sharply-criticized-by-just-about-everyone.html Sharp Criticism for Egyptian Interview With Soldier - New York Times. Retrieved on 2012-08-28.
- http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/10/gilad_shalit_interview_wasn.html Awkward Moments in Journalism History - NY Magazine. Retrieved on 2012-08-29.
- http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/egyptian-journalist-rejects-israel-s-criticism-of-shalit-interview-1.390857 Egyptian journalist rejects Israel's criticism of Shalit interview - Haaretz. Retrieved 2011-10-21
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/beltway/2011/10/26/red-cross-doctors-did-not-examine-gilad-shalit-before-controversial-egyptian-tv-interview/ Red Cross Doctors Did Not Examine Gilad Shalit Before Controversial Egyptian TV Interview - Forbes. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
- http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4136728,00.html Shalit Interviewed on Egyptian TV (imbedded video) - YNET. Retrieved on 2012-08-29
- https://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/pows_dead_dictators_and_journalistic_ethics.php?page=1 POWs, Dead Dictators, and Journalistic Ethics - Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
- http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4136728,00.html Shalit Interviewed on Egyptian TV (imbedded video) - YNET. Retrieved on 2012-08-29.
- http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/digital/befremden_ueber_aegyptisches_interview_mit_shalit_1.13052002.html# Befremden über ägyptisches TV-Interview mit Shalit - NZZ Online. Retrieved on 2012-08-29. (In German)
- http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4136728,00.html Egyptian Newswoman Defends Shalit Interview - YNet. Retrieved on 2012-08-29
External links
- Salem, Mostf. "My dismissal is far from professional: Shahira Amin." Daily News Egypt. September 11, 2013.