The Egyptian journalist Hala Sarhan sparked a wave of controversy on social media in Lebanon after her behavior during an interview with a local TV reporter, which some considered a sign of arrogance and bias.

The incident occurred on the sidelines of the 21st edition of the "Arab Media Forum," which kicked off on Wednesday with the participation of Lebanese President Michel Aoun and a large number of Lebanese and Arab journalists.

A circulated video clip showed Sarhan standing outside the event hall, sipping a hot drink, while the reporter attempted a short interview. Initially, Sarhan appeared to ignore the reporter, expressing her displeasure that the latter did not know her name or identity, despite some attendees pointing out that she was speaking to the famous journalist.

“Unjustified Drama” Social media reacted widely to the incident, criticizing Sarhan's behavior and describing it as unnecessary "drama," especially since the reporter may have forgotten her name due to Sarhan’s infrequent appearances on screen in recent years. Some also noted that Sarhan’s reaction embarrassed the reporter, particularly upon realizing the interview was being broadcast live.

Conversely, viewers emphasized the importance of verifying guests’ identities before conducting interviews, while Hala Sarhan attempted to rectify the situation after realizing the live broadcast, interacting positively with the reporter and showing willingness to complete the interview.