Egypt jails TV presenter over 'immoral' pregnancy remarks

An Egyptian television presenter has been sentenced to three years in prison after she held a televised discussion on having children outside of conventional marriage.

Speaking on al-Nahar TV, presenter Doaa Salah asked viewers if they had engaged in pre-marital sex and suggested that women could have children in brief marriages that would end shortly after the birth of their children.

Salah also suggested that the husband could be paid a fee for the temporary marriage, comparing it to sperm donation, which is banned in Egypt.

Following public outrage, the presenter was suspended by her employers for three months. Authorities then intervened, charging and convicting her of outraging public decency.

According to Spain's EFE news agency, authorities said the programme and its presenter "threatened the fabric of Egyptian life".

As part of her punishment, Salah was also ordered to pay compensation of 10,000 Egyptian pounds ($567).