A snap shot of Egyptian journalist Mohad ElSharkawy. Photo courtesy of Mohad ElSharkawy.
ElSharkawy, a journalist with more than a decade of experience in broadcast media, had been selected to join the BBC Arabic programme Dour as a senior producer after passing all required tests and interviews.
However, according to the syndicate, the broadcaster suddenly withdrew its formal job offer and then terminated his freelance contract with Fi Tawqit Masr, leaving him without income or “any convincing justification.”
In a letter to the BBC’s Cairo office on Sunday, El-Balshy expressed solidarity with ElSharkawy and rejected the "baseless accusation of antisemitism" used as a pretext to cancel the offer.
He stated that the allegation was linked to an old personal social media post unrelated to ElSharkawy’s professional work and warned that equating private opinions with workplace performance sets a dangerous precedent.
The syndicate said the case represents a direct attack on journalists’ rights. El-Balshy described the BBC’s decision as "unfair," undermining professional integrity and basic principles of justice.
He also criticized the use of vague or shifting standards to evaluate journalists, arguing that such practices contradict the right to free opinion and expression, values that the BBC should defend rather than restrict.
He further rejected what he called the “misuse” of a journalist’s personal posts on private platforms as grounds for judging their professional conduct, warning that this weakens journalistic independence and threatens freedom of expression more broadly.
The Syndicate called on the BBC to urgently review its decision and provide a written explanation.
El-Balshy urged the broadcaster to stop using personal opinions as grounds for denying journalists work opportunities and instead open a direct dialogue with the syndicate to reach a fair solution.
He said this solution must restore ElSharkawy’s financial and moral rights and compensate him for the harm caused. Otherwise, he warned, the syndicate reserves the right to pursue union and legal action to defend its members and their professional freedom.
The dispute has garnered widespread attention in both Egyptian and international media circles.
In 2024, BBC Arabic cut ties with a Gaza-based freelancer after social media posts described as antisemitic surfaced.
The BBC has often faced criticism for its handling of such allegations, with detractors accusing it of inconsistency and a lack of transparency.
One of the most high-profile cases came in 2024, when BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker, one of Britain’s best-known media figures, shared a post featuring an image of rats in a context widely condemned as antisemitic.
The post sparked backlash. Jewish groups said it perpetuated harmful stereotypes historically used to dehumanize Jews, while critics across the political spectrum accused Lineker of poor judgment.
The BBC stopped short of suspending him but warned him to be more careful in the future.
That decision fueled criticism that the corporation applies double standards, tough on freelancers and junior staff, but lenient with high-profile personalities who attract large audiences.
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