In her first media statement, Egyptian TV presenter Mona El Shazly addressed the recent controversy surrounding one of her show's episodes, which sparked wide debate after a guest claimed ownership of several paintings that were later revealed to be the work of foreign artists.

During Friday’s episode of her talk show, aired on an Egyptian channel, El Shazly explained that the disputed episode had originally aired over a month ago and featured nine guests from diverse media backgrounds, each sharing their personal interests. One guest showcased several paintings, presenting them as her own creations.

El Shazly stated: "After verifying that one of the displayed paintings actually belonged to Danish artist Lise Løk Nielsen, we immediately issued a statement clarifying the true ownership of the work, out of respect for artistic and moral rights. We also clarified the authorship of other paintings, attributing them to their rightful artists — including a German artist and a French artist — with equal transparency and professionalism."

She confirmed that the program’s team didn’t stop at the public statement but also contacted all three artists directly with detailed messages explaining the situation and offering sincere apologies. "The delay in replying to Lise’s message was due to the overwhelming volume of daily correspondence we receive, and unfortunately, her message was lost among them. Once we explained the situation, she understood and even thanked us twice publicly via Instagram."

She added: "The German artist, Caroline, told us, 'You did your job. I don’t blame you,' and we also confirmed that our message reached the French artist. We’ve extended an open invitation for all three to appear on the show if they wish."

"We’re Not in the Business of Fake Heroism"

El Shazly emphasized that the program had no intention of sensationalizing the incident. "What we published was the minimum required to clarify the facts. We didn’t share the detailed exchanges or the artists’ positive responses because they pertain to the background, not for public spectacle. We don’t exploit crises for personal gain."

During the episode, the program also featured the original artists’ paintings and brief biographies, which El Shazly described as a professional and ethical gesture to return credit to its rightful owners — not due to any external pressure.

On the Show's Responsibility

El Shazly explained that the media often engages with various types of sources — including public figures and lesser-known individuals — each of which requires a different level of verification. She noted that personal statements, such as hobbies or claimed achievements, don’t always warrant fact-checking unless there's a clear contradiction or legal issue.

“The Guest Was Wrong — But We Won’t Join the Public Shaming”

Concluding her remarks, Mona El Shazly acknowledged that the guest who misrepresented the artwork had already received enough backlash. "We were certainly upset as a team. But we asked ourselves: what do we gain by adding more fuel to the fire against someone already facing widespread condemnation? We are not here to judge or be a tool of cruelty."

She ended with a compassionate note: "Did she make a mistake? Yes. But we believe everyone deserves a chance to learn. Professionalism and empathy can coexist. We will continue to uphold our values — not what satisfies the public’s thirst for outrage."