by J.D. Durkin Eight television anchors in Egypt have been suspended by their network until they lose weight, an incident that has sparked wild controversy in the nation and the role of the state-run media outlet. The state broadcaster Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU) have given the women involved one month to pursue an “appropriate appearance” for their on-air duties.

One of those women, Khadija Khattab, has challenged the viewers of Egypt’s Channel 2 to judge for themselves if she really is “fat,” offering up her last several TV appearances as proof. The Women’s Centre for Guidance and Legal Awareness spoke out swiftly against the move, identifying the broadcaster’s take as a form of violence against women and noting that it “violates the constitution.” To the surprise of many, the ERTU is run by a female director — Safaa Hegazy — herself a longtime on-air anchor. The BBC points out that the debate has raged on social media in the country, with the cruelest viewers using the derogatory term “bakabouzas” to describe the women. “One female Twitter user described ERTU head Safaa Hegazy as a “strong woman” for making the decision,” they report.