A number of workers at the Egyptian Radio and TV Union (ERTU) have submitted a complaint to the prosecutor general against the union's head, Osama al-Sheikh, and the director of its news department, Abdel Latif al-Manawi, as well as Anas al-Fiqqi, former Information Minister, accusing the three of squandering LE11 billion since 2000.
The "free media workers," as they labeled themselves, also accused the trio of disrupting public order, damaging public interests, facilitating the seizure of public funds, and accepting bribes.
Al-Masry Al-Youm has obtained a copy of the report filed by the workers, in which it is alleged that the officials utilized state-run television channels to sabotage the popular uprising through airing prank pleas for help.
A popular, anti-regime revolt that erupted in Egypt on 25 January led to the resignation of former President Hosni Mubarak on 11 February after he spent nearly 30 years in power.
Since 28 January, and until the last day of the uprising, Egyptian television aired several phone calls allegedly from citizens asking for help, claiming that fleeing, armed prisoners and thugs were storming their houses, and saying that they were fearful for the security of their property and safety of their women.
The report said that the phone calls proved to be false, and were in fact attempts to sabotage protests and convince people to support the ruling regime for the sake of safety.
