Egypt’s public TV channel ESC has already been attacked for anti-semitism in the programme Horseman without a Horse, which is a serial inspired by The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
The Higher Audiovisual Council (CSA) of France signed a convention some years ago which enables the Egyptian channel to broadcast via satellite in France and in other European Union countries. The watchdog now complains: Despite its fictional nature, this serial could constitute an offence of incitement to racial hatred and would be liable to disturb public order.”
The watchdog adds that at the end of July it sent a letter to the Egyptian authorities in charge of the channel and decided to hear the channel’s representative in France. This hearing will take place at the end of the summer break. The case was put to the CSA in November and December 2002 by several organizations, including the Simon Wiesenthal Centre, private individuals and a deputy.