(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has warned the Lebanese authorities against obstructing press freedom following the arrest of commercial television station owner Tahsin Khayat. The organisation urged political leaders not to sacrifice diversity in news media, especially in broadcast media, because of political rivalries. “The arrest of a TV station owner, apparently for political reasons, is a […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has warned the Lebanese authorities against obstructing press freedom following the arrest of commercial television station owner Tahsin Khayat. The organisation urged political leaders not to sacrifice diversity in news media, especially in broadcast media, because of political rivalries.
“The arrest of a TV station owner, apparently for political reasons, is a source of legitimate concern, especially since this is without precedent in Lebanon,” RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard said. “Although the TV station’s broadcasts were not suspended, we must be vigilant and ask the authorities to guarantee they will respect its freedom, despite the charges against its owner and regardless of the political scores to be settled,” Ménard added.
Khayat, a businessman, owns New Television (NTV) and is opposed to Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. He was arrested on the orders of the military prosecutor on 5 December 2003 and was released on bail the next day, charged with “presumed links with Israel” and “harming Lebanon’s relations with its friends.”
The authorities maintain that his arrest is not linked to NTV’s exhaustive coverage of a fraud scandal involving Al-Medina Bank, but observers are concerned about the impact of this unprecedented development on the freedom of Lebanon’s broadcast media, which has been severely restricted over the past two years.
