Egypt's 'Jon Stewart' off air until after elections
CAIRO - Egypt's top satirist will be off the air until after the upcoming May presidential election to avoid influencing voters, a Saudi-owned satellite television network said Saturday.
The Middle East Broadcasting Center said that Bassem Youssef will be off the air to show "respect for the election process, and to strive to avoid influencing Egyptian voters' orientation and public opinion."
Youssef is often compared to US comedian Jon Stewart. MBC began airing Youssef's show in February after an Egyptian private channel suspended it last fall for attacking "symbols of the state." (AP)
