BBC Arabic blames faulty payment process after guest complains about unpaid fees

BBC Arabic has said a faulty payment mechanism resulted in guests not getting appearance fees, after a contributor said they hadn't been paid by the channel for two years during a live broadcast.

The channel was left red-faced as Egyptian political analyst Mehdi Eliefifi unexpectedly responded to the news presenter's question on Ukraine's crisis with his shocking claim as he held a paper to the screen reading "where is my money?".

"An important topic I would like to discuss is why for two years the BBC has not paid any dues to us, where are those responsible?" the analyst asked.

Following the incident, BBC Arabic said they conducted further audits and are aware of a "technical defect" in the broadcaster's payment process, which led to delays.

Eliefifi responded: "The truth is out".

"We apologise for the delay to all those affected by this matter and confirm that we are working hard to solve this case as soon as possible... we ask all guests who have not received their dues... to contact us," the channel wrote in a series of tweets on Saturday.

ظهر الحق و زهق الباطل
Thank God.
هديتى لكل من هضمت البى بى سي حقهم
My gift to All of you pic.twitter.com/SAFJ552SEm

— Mehdi Eliefifi (@MehdiEliefifi) January 22, 2022

Shortly after, Eliefifi took credit for the broadcaster's statement, saying it is his "gift to all those who had their rights taken by the BBC".

He said in an Instagram video: "When Covid came they were saying they couldn't pay because we don't have people... then came 2021, same issue... so I decided to expose them."