CAIRO - Talk shows on Egypt's State and privately owned TV channels have in the past few years become all the rage for viewers looking for sincere coverage of current events and in-depth analysis of certain topics. The margin for free expression on these shows has grown remarkably, alluring many viewers to tune and flick from one channel to get as much as they can. However, while these programmes are considered to push the ceiling of democracy in a country where 24 political parties are supposed to be functioning, others look on them as part of a media show approved by the Government, which condones these shows because they allow people to give vent to their suppressed feelings. Some of these shows have managed to gain ground because of their unique handling of news items and topics of the hour which might be presented in a rather boring manner on other channels. Generally speaking, these programmes are edited by journalists whose combined interest in the written and visual media enable them to get in direct touch with news sources and encourage a galaxy of well-versed people to appear as guests on the shows. In most cases, these shows rely on controversial stories and scoops published by the local press, especially independent and opposition newspapers. It's great for the journalists because these TV stations pay far more than their press institutions. This means that the talk shows are able to attract the very best journalists. According to a recent report from the Cabinet's Information and Decision-making Support Centre, 69.8 per cent of Egyptian families have access to satellite channels, while 88.3 per cent possess TV sets. The same report reveals that 54 Egyptian TV channels transmit via NileSat, 57 per cent of which are privately owned. These figures presumably reflect the diversity of talk shows and the growing number of TV viewers that depend on the silver screen for entertainment and information. Sami Abdel-Radi, the editor of the popular show 90 Minutes, presented by Mehwar private satellite channel, does not deny the fact that the press is a major source for the programme's material. The Internet and the upgraded approach of some independent papers have facilitated the task of talk show editors. Those involved in the business know that the printed publications and the TV channels both benefit, as comments and stories on daring TV programmes sometimes make the headlines of the papers the following morning. However, Radi told Radio and TV Arabic-language magazine that turning a piece of news or a story into visual material requires an extraordinary effort, as the coverage has to be credible, attractive and productive, while there must be visual images, live interviews and a follow-up of events. Media experts say that these shows, considering the high ceiling of freedom, play the role of opposition parties whose voices are too faint to be heard by the National Democratic Party and its Government. Some of the shows have become a resort for citizens who want to complain after having had the doors of governmental offices slammed in their faces. Yet, some debates steered by these shows are more like 'space-fillers', with the guests showing off their rhetorical skills. In other words, the discussions are sometimes no more than hot air. Meanwhile, opinion polls show that viewers get bored of seeing the same guest speakers on more than one talk show. According to Tareq Yunis, the Editor-in-Chief of Cairo Today, a well-known talk show on Orbit, such repetition is sometimes inevitable, especially when the guests are visiting foreign pop stars or certain ministers or other senior officials involved in important public issues. He believes that the kind of questions posed and the ability of the presenter to get it all out of the guest are what distinguish one show from the other. Mahmoud Mossalem, the Editor-in-Chief of Al-Hayat Today, which presents a round-up of the day's events and news, denies that most talk shows are a variety on the same theme. The high viewing rate proves that these programmes are much in demand and do have their differences. In the holy fasting month of Ramadan, when viewers tend to concentrate on spiritual things, some of these shows take a break. Others change their news and the kind of guests they invite, to reflect the holy nature of the fasting month.
