Lebanese caretaker Minister of Information Ziad Makary announced on Saturday that Lebanon has filed an official complaint with the United Nations over the martyrdom of three journalists from two esteemed media organizations. 

On Friday, Israeli occupation forces carried out an aerial attack on the place of residence of press crews in Hasbayya, South Lebanon, resulting in several casualties among journalists, cameramen, and technicians.

Following the deliberate attack on the freedom of the press, Al Mayadeen announced the martyrdom of two of its crew members covering the Israeli war on Lebanon across the southern front: cameraman Ghassan Najjar and broadcast engineer Mohammad Reda.

On its part, Al Manar TV mourned its cameraman Wissam Qassem who was also martyred in the Israeli aggression.

"لاحترام القانون اللبناني فيما يتعلق بالعداء لـ "إسرائيل"، فالإسرائيلي عدو والإشارة إليه بهذه الصفة هي التزام بالقانون"
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وزير الإعلام في حكومة تصريف الاعمال اللبنانية زياد مكاري#الميادين #الميادين_لبنان @ZiadMakary pic.twitter.com/EDYKEz1YhL

— الميادين لبنان (@mayadeenlebanon) October 26, 2024

During a press conference, Makary pointed out that the recent martyrdom of fellow journalists serves as a stark reminder that no one is safe from the Israeli threat.

He affirmed that “media freedom ceases to exist when it is not accompanied by professionalism, especially in times of war,” adding, “Today, we are not in a civil war; we are facing a war waged by the Israeli enemy against Lebanon following the events in Gaza.”

Lebanese MP calls for ethical journalism in exposing Israeli Aggression

The Lebanese caretaker Minister of Information presented a formal document urging journalists and media outlets to rigorously verify the crimes committed by the enemy and relay this information to the international community for potential prosecution of "Israel". He underscored the critical importance of upholding journalistic ethics in these endeavors.

Furthermore, he highlighted the necessity of adhering to Lebanese law, firmly insisting that "Israel" be referred to as the enemy. He cautioned against using language that aligns with the enemy's narrative, reinforcing the need for clarity and integrity in reporting.

Makary emphasized the importance of avoiding engagement with Israeli accounts to prevent falling into the trap of normalization, urging against treating Israeli sources as credible. Additionally, he called for refraining from getting caught up in rumors designed to spread fear among citizens.

Lebanon launches a go-to team for debunking fake news

The Lebanese Minister also urged avoiding falling for the enemy's fake news and not interacting with its reports on social media. He called on television networks to exercise self-censorship in the interest of national welfare.

Makary urged the public to refrain from engaging with what he termed fake news propagated by the Israeli enemy, particularly on social media platforms. He emphasized the importance of not allowing the media message to escalate into a dangerous situation for displaced individuals, calling for thorough verification of the enemy's actions and proper documentation for possible future prosecution.

In response to the ongoing disinformation, he announced the establishment of a dedicated team and a chamber within the Ministry of Information tasked with monitoring and exposing all instances of fake news.

Makary stressed that the Ministry of Information does not bear the responsibility of punitive censorship and will not function as a policing entity, as its duties are fundamentally national.

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