الاتحاد الكاثوليكي العالمي للصحافة- لبنان اوسيب – لبنان
Antelias, April 11, 2008
The International Catholic Union of the Press (UCIPLIBAN) called the Lebanese media, on the occasion of the 13th of April, for conscientiousness in evaluating the role of the media regarding the Lebanese war and its role in building up the nation.
1. On the anniversary of the beginning of the Lebanese war, we ought to study the reasons of this war and especially the role of the media in order to avoid a next civil war in the future, and to urge the "media channels to accomplish their responsible required role.
2. Some Lebanese newspapers played a role in preparing for the Lebanese war in 1975 by pledging financial wise and ideologically wise to foreign forces and began to work for them. Therefore they contributed in igniting the war of others on the Lebanese soil and often stirring up internal conflicts between its components.
3. Journalism plays a fundamental role in overseeing and directing the global situation of the country. It evaluates the general policies and social situations regarding the monetary and analytic operations far from the personal preferences in order to correct the possible mistakes and tracks. Therefore, it fulfills its original role as public service and vocation in the first place.
4. In these exceptional circumstances, the Lebanese Media is called for conscientiousness and to wander: Is it accomplishing its role in transmitting the facts away from paroxysm, fanatism and pledge? Is it contributing in reconciling between the Lebanese? Is it a free tool in the service of the society? Does it aim to establish a free public opinion and public awakening from which the authorities in the democratic system springs out?
Translated by: Joyce Tary
