الاتحاد الكاثوليكي العالمي للصحافة- لبنان اوسيب – لبنان
Antélias, March 15th, 2001
March 13, 2001, The Tv channel namely, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation LBC was occupied by the Lebanese army. Military vehicles, chars and gunmen were positioned all around the building. Furthermore, gunmen took positions inside the offices of journalists and technicians.
At the same day, nine journalists and technicians of the said TV station were arrested and transferred to an unknown, probably to one of the local military base station, under the accusation of gun possession. Needless top mention that no arms were founded.
The Lebanese army have left the LBC’s premises Ion the third day and have liberated the detainees after various interventions.
Moreover, other medias have witnessed similar “methods of persuasions”:
– In February 2001, the TV channel MTV was threatened legally after an interview with the General Michel Aoun
– In Mars 2001, the Director of the periodical AlDabour was “invited” for an interrogation in order to “answer the questions concerning an article”.These methods of violation of the constitution and the laws threaten the freedom of speech and of press in Lebanon, and impose on journalists and medias certain “line of conduct” and certain political line.
All international organizations are called to act: To denounce these methods and exercise some pressure in order to save the freedom of the press in our country.
