Hala Sarhan's first response after the controversy with the Lebanese reporter

A video clip featuring Egyptian media personality Hala Sarhan and Lebanese Al Jadeed TV correspondent Jacint Antar sparked widespread controversy on social media after a spontaneous question turned into an awkward exchange that ended with the video being deleted from all of the channel's platforms. The incident occurred during the Arab Media Forum in Beirut, and Hala Sarhan's name quickly became a trending topic in several Arab countries.

Details of the incident that sparked outrage on social media

During the interview, reporter Jacint Antar asked Hala Sarhan, “What country are you from?” A mixture of surprise and a smile appeared on Sarhan’s face before she replied, “Aren’t you a journalist? Tell me who I am?” This response elicited mixed reactions, with some seeing it as an expression of well-deserved professional pride, while others considered it a harsh response to a young broadcaster who was still in the early stages of her career.

Al Jadeed TV deletes the video without official comment

Following a wave of criticism on social media, Al Jadeed TV deleted the clip from all its Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts without issuing any statement. This silence fueled speculation about the reasons for the deletion. Some believe the decision was made to avoid escalating the controversy, while others suggest the channel complied with a request from Hala Sarhan to maintain positive media relations between the two parties.

The Correspondence Novel and Hala Sarhan's Response

In a later statement, Jacint Antar explained that she was not prepared for the interview and that she approached Hala Sarhan spontaneously, adding: “I didn’t mean to offend anyone, I was just looking for a nice way to start a conversation.” She noted that Hala spoke to her kindly after she learned that the interview was being broadcast live, and confirmed that she was subjected to a painful wave of bullying on social media after the incident.

Hala Sarhan, however, chose to respond calmly, explaining that she wasn't angry with the reporter, but rather treated her as a young journalist in need of encouragement, not criticism. In her statement, she said, "The girl was nervous and inexperienced, so I told her that persistence is an advantage in journalism, and I comforted her so she wouldn't feel embarrassed." She added that what happened was simply a minor professional situation that any journalist might encounter at the beginning of their career, considering the experience "a practical lesson in confidence and flexibility."

A minor incident turned into a debate about professionalism.

Despite the simplicity of the situation, the incident sparked a wide-ranging debate about the relationship between generations in media and how to handle mistakes in live broadcasts. While some felt Hala Sarhan was justifiably firm, and others defended the young reporter, the event highlighted the delicate balance between spontaneity and professionalism in today's media landscape, where a fleeting moment can escalate into a digital storm within minutes.