Egyptian TV restricts presenters

Egyptian TV presenter Maryam Amin Cairo - Shima Mekkawi Egyptian TV presenter Maryam Amin has said she is committed to work in the Emirati channel "Dubai TV”, calling it her “lucky key”. "I'm comfortable there and the staff are really respectful...I decided not to work in Egyptian television as it is very restrictive and there is no creative freedom there," she said. Amin said during her interview with Arabstoday: "Dubai TV helps in grooming television presenters and providing them with experience which I did not find in any other channel...They financially appreciate my work and they know I work hard!" She continued: "I did not commit to Egyptian television as I have with Dubai TV...presenters in Egyptian television do not gain renown and do not accept any out-of-the-box or innovative ideas, but they cling to the staid routine that bores their audiences...most viewers are of course attracted to satellite channels like Dubai TV, El-Hayat TV and  Dream TV." “El-Hayat has bought the rights to screen “Eleeb Maa Elnogoom” (Playing with Stars) and has achieved very high ratings," she said as an example. Amin denied she avoided political shows but prefers entertainment shows as she is more passionate about them and her creative  side is allowed to flourish, although she has interviewed politicians in shows such as "Sabah ElKheer ya Masr" -(Good Morning Egypt) and "Ahlan we Sahln" (Welcome). She stated that she refused to present the daily “Elbeet Beetak”(At Your Home) show because of time constraints as she periodically travels to Dubai to film the episodes of her Dubai TV show. As for the LBC-sponsored “Bus Stop”, she said: "I cherish this experience a lot...it has widened my fans base in Lebanon and I learnt so much from it." Amin said it was difficult to think about leaving Dubi TV for another channel, explaining: "I feel at home in Dubai...I'm attached to the place and it is difficult to leave them as I am well treated here." Meanwhile, the star presenter said she was surprised at the results of the first round of Egypt's presidential elections. "I'm astonished the run-off is between Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi and former prime minister Ahmed Shafiq," she said. She said the choice in the run-off will be difficult for every Egyptian, saying: "I am a Christian but I did not vote for Shafiq although he sometimes he is very persuasive. I have not yet decided whom to vote for in the second round." She added:  "I think that if the Muslim Brotherhood wins these elections, the country will be upside down and Egypt's economy will collapse because it will influence tourism...I pray to God not to let them win.” Maryam Amin has starred in shows like "Taratata", "Playing with the Stars" and is popular amongst Arab television audiences.