Amer refused Morsi interview

Egyptian media presenter Sherif Amer reportedly refused to conduct an interview with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, claiming he is “working to find the facts," preferring to talk with the supporters and critics of the President's regime. Speaking exclusively to Arabstoday, Amer told how he refused to accept an interview with President Morsi because the Egyptian media would impose “red lines” on presenters conducting the interview. “I am working to find the facts,” Amer explained. “I attempt to find the answers of different questions raised by the opponents and supporters of the current regime.” Amer also gave Arabstoday an insight into his work that goes on behind the scenes, explaining how each media presenter works hard to become distinctive. He personally preferred to meet with Egyptian figures, Amer added, particularly given he is a talk show host. The presenter meanwhile praised the performance of fellow colleague Lobna Assal. Discussing national politics, Amer said that Egypt’s current situation was “the most serious” because of the “consecutive crises” sweeping the country. The country is polarised, divided into two parties, the presenter said. “One that expresses its support for Morsi, with the other opposes him,” he added. Amer meanwhile criticised the Morsi administration for making decisions without holding discussions. Amer refused to accept accusations targeting media figures and journalists inside Egypt. "We are not corrupt. The Egyptian media is free and fair,” he claimed. However the presenter did warn that violations committed against the nation’s children could push him to abandon journalistic neutrality. The Assiut rail tragedy, which killed 50 children last November, had already led him to lose control of his own feelings on air. Egyptian television presenter Sherif Amer has become one of the most prominent and well-known national media personalities in recent years, presenting one of Egypt’s most successful talk show programmes on the al-Hayah channel. Amer has interviewed a huge host of political, cultural, religious figures in Egypt throughout his career.