الاتحاد الكاثوليكي العالمي للصحافة- لبنان اوسيب – لبنان
Antelias, June 27th, 2001
The World Forum of Professionals in the Secular and Religious Media in Lebanon felt sorry about the exclusion of the correspondent of Al Nahar newspaper from covering the press conference about the visit of the Syrian Bashar Al Assad to Paris,
It wished that this noble Arab Lebanese newspaper was treated according to its great role in supporting all Arab and intellectual issues, especially the issues of supporting human rights, media freedoms and nations’ sovereignty, and the correction of the special brotherhood relation between Lebanon and Syria on the basis of equity in dignity and sovereignty.
Thus, the Forum considers that this strong newspaper represents the guarantee of communication between societies and the responsible free dialogue. It can not be, as some say, a danger for the just and democratic regimes which respect the human and societies.
The Forum seizes the opportunity for saluting Al Nahar newspaper and free Arab reporters who are devoted to transmit the real and just image and the right issues of the Arab World, believing that the truth is the one which liberates, not its hiding and obscuration, which are considered according to some officials the most guaranteed path for protecting their regimes, and for collaborating in reestablishing the known Arab civilization which was set in the past and can be set in the future on the principle of forgiveness, brotherhood and opening toward everyone under brilliant governments which consider the power a public service not a private prerogative.
The exclusion of Al Nahar newspaper does not exclude it from the conscience of readers. On the contrary, this folds its rapprochement toward them.
Translated by: Joyce Tary
