When the Music’s Over: Egypt TV Bans ‘Romantic’ Songs Amid Unrest
When the Music’s Over: Egypt TV Bans ‘Romantic’ Songs Amid Unrest
The broadcasting of any “romantic” songs or music videos on Egyptian state television channels has been banned, a state-run newspaper announced on Thursday, adding that only “patriotic” tunes will be allowed to be aired.
Nationalistic tunes “that are worth broadcasting” will be allowed on the country’s 23 state-owned channels, the al-Ahram news website reported.
Meanwhile, sarcastic songs mocking public figures will be also banned because of the “sensitiveness of the political situation,” it said.
The surprise move comes amid political upheaval sweeping the country in recent weeks after Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi set a controversial referendum on a new constitution in Egypt due to start Saturday.
The referendum looks set to further split the country after the opposition called for a ‘no’ vote and imposed conditions that could yet result in its boycott.
The draft constitution, that was drawn up by an Islamist-led drafting assembly, last month, has become the focus of Egypt’s worst political crisis since Mursi’s election in June.
