In an incident that sparked widespread reactions across artistic and media circles, Egyptian TV presenter Maha El Saghir issued a public apology after being accused of attributing an artwork to herself that was not originally hers. The controversy arose during her appearance on a television program, where she discussed her interest in painting.

The incident, which quickly evolved into a public debate, began when a painting titled “I Made Myself Some Wings” was showcased during the episode and credited to El Saghir. Shortly after, Danish artist Lise Løsch Nielsen took to her official Instagram account with a stunning revelation: "The painting shown on the program is one of my original works, created in 2019 and previously featured in international campaigns symbolizing freedom and resilience."

Maha El Saghir: “I’m sorry and disappointed in myself”

In response to mounting criticism, Maha El Saghir admitted her mistake in a candid statement, saying: "I made a mistake… against artist Lise, against all artists, against myself, and the platform I spoke from. Going through a tough time in my life does not justify what happened. I’m sorry and disappointed in myself."

While some praised her for taking responsibility, the apology did not fully quell the backlash—especially after Nielsen confirmed that neither El Saghir nor the show’s producers had reached out to her, despite her attempts to clarify the issue directly.

Program Responds Amid Ongoing Backlash

In an effort to contain the situation, the program’s management issued an official statement via its Facebook page, confirming that the painting in question indeed belongs to the Danish artist. "We respect true creators and value original artistic contributions in all fields," the statement read.

Allegations of Copyright Violation

Nielsen went on to say that what happened constitutes a clear violation of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, as well as Egyptian law. She explained that El Saghir not only copied her artistic style, but also showcased an exact replica of her original painting on-air—without any acknowledgment of the original artist.

"What saddens me most is that lesser-known international artists are often subjected to these violations without any protection, simply because they’re outside the spotlight," Nielsen added.

Official Investigation Launched by Media Authority

In a formal development, Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation announced that its Complaints Committee has launched an investigation into the incident. The council summoned the legal representative of the channel, stating that the program aired artistic content without verifying its original rights.