In recent days, an extremely serious threshold has been crossed in Lebanon. Very grave threats have been made against free and independent media. MTV et Nidaa Al Watan These include calls to set fire to their offices, incitement to violence against their staff, and even worse, promises of rewards for the assassination of some of their journalists or employees. Added to this are campaigns of intimidation, pressure, and coordinated attacks clearly aimed at silencing these media outlets.
A dangerous and unacceptable escalation
In a Lebanon already suffering, what is at stake today goes far beyond two media institutions. These threats, emanating from Iran and Hezbollah, mark an extremely serious escalation, creating a climate of fear and seeking to normalize violence as a political and media tool.
Journalists, politicians, and media figures have long known that these methods will not bear fruit. The era when justice could be manipulated is over. Today, judges know that their legitimacy comes from the people and respect for the law. They know how to clearly distinguish between oppressor and oppressed, and between genuine suffering and manipulated hatred.
Informing in the face of fear
On one side, there is journalistic work, facts, investigations. On the other, explicit threats, violent language reminiscent of the darkest hours, going so far as to references to terrorist methods, assassinations and an organized strategy of fear.
Targeting the media is an attack on Lebanon
Faced with this, we must be clear: attacking MTV and Nidaa Al WatanThis is an attack on press freedom. It is an attempt to silence independent voices that are unsettling because they expose reality, question those in power, and refuse to conform. What is at stake today is the very face of Lebanon. A Lebanon where the rule of law, pluralism, and freedom prevail, or a Lebanon subjected to fear, intimidation, and violence. There can be no neutrality in the face of such a slide.
Attempts to terrorize the media, silence journalists, and sow fear within institutions will only strengthen the resolve of those who still believe in a free Lebanon. For truth cannot be burned, it cannot be assassinated, it cannot be silenced.
A collective responsibility
Today more than ever, responsibility is collective and global! Citizens, journalists, intellectuals, and leaders must stand together. MTV and Nidaa Al WatanNot out of simple solidarity, but because defending these media outlets means defending the right of every Lebanese person to be freely informed.
The writing ofInterviews expresses its full and unequivocal support for MTV and Nidaa Al Watan. Defending these institutions means defending freedom, truth, the future of Lebanon, but also that of a free world.
