LTC anchor suspended for sniffing heroin on-air

CAIRO – 17 July 2017: Shaimaa Gamal has been suspended for a week after sniffing a white substance resembling heroin on-air during her show El Moshaghba (The Trouble Maker), broadcast on LTC channel, Makram Mohamed Ahmed, head of the Supreme Council for Media Regulation (SCMR), said Monday to Al-Masry Al-Youm.

"Any blatant behavior or misconduct committed by media personnel will be punishable," warned Ahmed in a press release for Al-Masry Al-Youm. Ahmed added that "there will a periodic meeting for the council's Disciplinary Committee to discuss such unacceptable actions."

Two weeks ago, Gamal appeared on a live show and "sniffed heroin on-air," imitating addiction. Gamal pointed out later on that the substance she sniffed was sugar and not hard drugs.

El Moshagba, a daring TV show that airs on the privately-owned LTC channel, tackles sensitive and current issues in Egypt, like kidnapping, drug addiction, rape, blackmailing and corruption. The program currently faces many charges and lawsuits over scandalizing public figures, digging up a tomb and other violations.