Introduction to the evening news 19-09-2012

Pierre el-Daher in Samaha’s infamous car; a piece of misinformation that would not normally yield attention, whether it be for content, or for the publishing website. However, within the context of a series of slander campaigns against LBCI and its chairman, the news becomes worthy of a response.         

The time or place of origin pertaining to these campaigns remains unclear. Perhaps it started with financial blockade attempts, political statements regarding so called lost property, even media reports of an envious and hateful nature accompanied by threats.             

We are still unsure when and where did these campaigns begin, but there are three matters we are sure of:                

With the elections drawing near, the two highly polarized sides look with suspicion at the only unbiased media company, looking at methods to pressure it both financially and morally.  

Unfavorably to those, LBCI did not die contrary to expectations following its latest setback. Instead, the channel is exuding a “wow factor” as a media platform still able to offer viewers quality entertainment and news content.                     

Going back to Samaha’s case, its repercussions are proving greater to bear to parties involved, and it may just be an option to bash LBCI as a supplement for their shortcomings.  

We do not know when these campaigns will come to an end and to what extent the imaginations of those behind the fabrications of stories will reach. But what we do know, and what we do promise our viewers is that LBCI will always come out on top.

To read Daher's response:

The media office of the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) Chairman Sheikh Pierre Daher stated on Wednesday Daher’s condemnation of news reported via Al-Shiraa website which accuses Daher of being the third passenger in Michel Samaha’s car.            

In the statement, Daher denounced slandering his name citing the site’s actions as unethical and malicious, with a sole purpose to smear the name of LBCI.                
“It reflects deliberate attempts to smudge the name of the channel in hopes of detouring it from its vocational independence. These attacks are of a judicial and pending trade dispute background,” the statement stressed.              

The statement noted that Daher asked his lawyer to file a complaint against Al-Shiraa and take all necessary legal measures.

Later on, the authorities concerned with investigations in former Minister Michel Samaha's case firmly denied the presence of a third person in Samaha's vehicle, said to be LBCI chairman Pierre el-Daher.