Photo: Chatham House · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in Egypt · Nationalities Egyptian, American — Media / satire

Bassem Youssef

Science, medicine and health Media and journalism

Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “Proceedings under Morsi for insulting the president and Islam” and “CBC suspends Al-Bernameg after satire also targeting post-Morsi authorities and Sissi”.

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Profile No. 0614 · Updated on 12 October 2026

5Documented controversies

8Sources

1Formal charge · all time1 closed without conviction

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2014-2016

Contractual dispute with CBC: EGP 100 million arbitration award subsequently overturned by court

Civil / administrative proceedings

An arbitration tribunal ordered Youssef to pay approximately 100 million Egyptian pounds in his dispute with CBC following the cancellation of his programme.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The GuardianEgyptian satirist Bassem Youssef fined over TV channel contractMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Al Tamimi & CompanyAnnulment of arbitral award against Egyptian satirist Bassem YoussefHigh reliability

Last verified: 18 August 2026

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2014

Permanent cancellation of Al-Bernameg amid political pressure

Protagonist is the victim

Protagonist is the victim — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.

Youssef announced the end of his programme, explaining that continuing it in Egypt's political environment created risks for himself, his team and the channel.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: Not applicable
Role of the person profiled: Protagonist is the victim

Sources · 1

[1]
TIMEBassem Youssef Abruptly Cancels Egyptian Satire Show Before Sisi Declared PresidentMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 18 August 2026

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2014

Plagiarism of Ben Judah article: acknowledgement and apology

No legal proceedings

Youssef reproduced passages from an article by Ben Judah without attribution. After the similarities were exposed, he acknowledged the failing and publicly apologised.

State of the evidence: Admitted by the person
Legal status — source text: Not applicable
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Index on CensorshipEgypt: Bassem Youssef steps away from journalism after plagiarismNGOHigh reliability

Last verified: 18 August 2026

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2013

Proceedings under Morsi for insulting the president and Islam

Case dismissed / dropped

Prosecutors ordered Bassem Youssef's arrest following complaints accusing him of insulting Mohamed Morsi and Islam in his satirical programme. He appeared before prosecutors, was questioned and then released on bail.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated
Course of the proceedings: Formally charged — Formal charge before the current outcome

Sources · 3

[1]
ReutersEgypt's prosecutor general orders arrest of well-known satiristMediaHigh reliability
[2]
ReutersEgypt satirist questioned for insulting Mursi, released on bailMediaHigh reliability
[3]
ReutersEgyptian satirist faces new legal action from army-backed governmentMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 18 August 2026

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2013

CBC suspends Al-Bernameg after satire also targeting post-Morsi authorities and Sissi

Civil / administrative proceedings — against a third party

Protagonist is the victim — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.

Following Morsi's overthrow, Youssef quickly began mocking the new authorities, the military and the emerging cult of personality surrounding Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. CBC suspended his programme after just one episode of the new season.

State of the evidence: Documented
Role of the person profiled: Protagonist is the victim

Sources · 1

[1]
The GuardianEgyptian satirist Bassem Youssef's TV show suspendedMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 18 August 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (1)

Mohamed Morsi1 documented reference
- Proceedings under Morsi for insulting the president and Islam Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.