Lebanese officials express solidarity with Marcel Ghanem

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2017-11-17 | 10:42
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Lebanese officials express solidarity with Marcel Ghanem
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4min
Lebanese officials express solidarity with Marcel Ghanem

Lebanese Journalist and TV Host Marcel Ghanem dedicated the introduction of yesterday’s episode of Kalam El-Nas (Thursday November 16) to respond to Justice Minister Salim Jreissati and Mount Lebanon Public Prosecutor Ghada Aoun, after he has been summoned by the judiciary following the events of a previous episode aired on November 10, where he hosted two Saudi journalists loyal to the Saudi authorities and who accused President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun of treason and terrorism.

 

On Friday, Justice Minister Salmi Jreissati issued a statement whereby he responded to Ghanem’s introduction, saying that “it has been proven following Kalam El-Nas apisode on LBCI that the hysteria has penetrated some political TV programs,” noting that the era of unrestricted media that knows no ethical or professional bounds has ended.

 

“No one in Lebanon stands above the law and there is no immunity of any form for those summoned to provide a testimony before the judicial authorities,” he said, stressing that any insult targeting national dignitaries on live TV or through relatives, is considered a condemned act.

 

These events have triggered a chain of reactions from Lebanese officials, who expressed solidarity with Journalist Marcel Ghanem.

 

MP Walid Jumblatt posted a tweet where he said that the freedom of expression and the freedom of press are above all consideration.

 

“What has been happening against LBCI and against my friend Marcel Ghanem is unacceptable and condemned.”

 

The Press Club issued in turn a statement whereby it called on the Lebanese authorities to stop its pursuit of journalists and to focus their work in order to improve the freedom of expression, without which Lebanon becomes “a hotbed for dictatorship.”

 

The statement also expressed full solidarity with colleague Marcel Ghanem.

 

Minister of Education Marwan Hamadeh voiced complete solidarity with Marcel Ghanem in his fight for the liberties.

 

MP Sleiman Frangieh posted a tweet where he said that “he who worked on protecting the freedom of our Prime Minister is expected to protect our freedom of press.”

 

MP Boutros Harb strongly denounced the attempts to restrict the freedom of journalists, condemning the pressures exerted against Marcel Ghanem.

 

“This is an attempt to shift the attention away from the real problem and the origin of the crisis,” he stated.

 

Kataeb party chief MP Samy Gemayel stressed that “any attempt against freedom of press is an attack against public freedoms protected by the Constitution and safeguarded by the free democratic system,” voicing his solidarity with Marcel Ghanem.

 

Arab Tawhid Party chief, former Minister Wiam Wahhab emphasized in a tweet that “the freedom of press is a red line that cannot be touched.”

 

Former Minister Ashraf Rifi expressed solidarity and support to Marcel Ghanem, stressing that they will not accept to shut down the freedom of expression and press.

 

Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati in turn stated that the freedom of press is one of the main pillars of this country and must be preserved, calling for allowing all the people to express their opinions with respect.

 

To watch the introduction of Marcel Ghanem, click on this link

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