(RSF/IFEX) – On 27 December 2002, Lebanon’s press appeals court confirmed a decision to shut down the privately-owned television station Murr Television (MTV) and the radio station Jebel Lubnan (Mount Lebanon), both of which belong to the Gabriel Murr media group. “The definitive closure of these two opposition media is a very serious omen for […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 27 December 2002, Lebanon’s press appeals court confirmed a decision to shut down the privately-owned television station Murr Television (MTV) and the radio station Jebel Lubnan (Mount Lebanon), both of which belong to the Gabriel Murr media group.
“The definitive closure of these two opposition media is a very serious omen for freedom of expression in Lebanon, which boasts of having more press freedom than most Arab countries,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard in a letter to Lebanese President Emile Lahud. “It is very worrying for the future of media diversity and will be taken as a warning by all of the country’s media,” stated Ménard.
MTV’s lawyers lodged an appeal on 28 October against a 4 September order by the press court to shut down the two stations for “harming relations with Syria and the head of state’s dignity”, as well as for violating the elections law.
The ruling was criticised by the United States, the European Union and several Lebanese political parties. In June, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi personally informed Member of Parliament Murr that the decision to close MTV had already been made. On 4 September, Aridi said he regretted the decision, which was more political than legal.
Murr was elected to parliament at a by-election in June, defeating his niece Myrna Murr, who is also the sister of Interior Minister Elias Murr. The constitutional council annulled the election on 4 November.
