Veteran Egyptian journalist, talk show host Wael El-Ebrashy dies aged 59

CAIRO – Veteran Egyptian journalist and talk show host Wael El-Ebrashy passed away on Sunday at the age of 59 purportedly after suffering from the side effects of Covid-19 for several months.  

Ebrashy started his career as a journalist with the state-run Rose Al-Youssef magazine before he moved to the independent Sout El-Oma newspaper, where he was editor-in-chief until 2010.

Ebrashy last worked as a talk show host with El-Tasea ("Nine O’Clock") broadcast live on national TV until March 2021 when he reportedly contracted Covid-19.

A source who worked with Ebrashy claimed he was asked to leave after he reportedly confronted Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir live on air.

"El-Wazir was behind El-Ebrashy's removal and it was made it look like Ebrashy left for health-related reasons," the source told The New Arab on condition of anonymity, due to fears for his safety.

In the episode, Ebrashy broadcast a video, which is no longer available online, showing congested underground metro stations during the Covid-19 pandemic and the deteriorating conditions of the railway service, which embarrassed El-Wazir, who is known for being close to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's regime.   

Ebrashy had earlier hosted El-Ashera Masaan ("Ten PM"), a popular talk show broadcast on satellite Dream TV for a few years before being shut down.

Ebrashy was known for being anti-regime during the reign of late President Hosni Mubarak when he headed Sout El-Oma to the extent that he stood trial over inciting public opinion but was later acquitted by the court.

He antagonised both the military junta that run the country after Mubarak was overthrown in February 2011, following an 18-day popular uprising, as well as the Muslim Brotherhood group, currently designated a terrorist group in Egypt.

But as was the case with many journalists, Ebrashy eventually swam with the current and became a public supporter of the Sisi regime.

Ebrashy was buried in his hometown, Sherbeen, in northeastern Dakahlia province. He is survived by a wife, Sahar El-Ebrashy, and a daughter named Farah, from a previous marriage, who lives in France.