Lebanese Forces expresses solidarity with MTV: Free media has proven to be stronger than intimidation and pressure
The media office of the Lebanese Forces issued the following statement:
The media office of the Lebanese Forces strongly condemns the hacking carried out by the “Axis of Resistance” against MTV and the newspaper Nidaa Al Watan, in what it described as a clear attempt to silence the voices of these two media institutions, which it said are at the forefront of confronting efforts to keep Lebanon an open arena for regional axes and organizations operating outside the authority of the state, foremost among them Hezbollah.
It added that this blatant hacking is only the latest episode in a long series of attempts by these forces and their affiliates to silence free voices in Lebanon. However, it said that all such attempts have repeatedly failed and that this new attempt will also fail, because Lebanon’s free media has proven many times that it is stronger than intimidation, pressure, and attacks.
The statement also noted that the hacking coincided with an organized campaign of messages containing insults, abuse, and threats directed at journalists in both institutions, as well as journalists in other media outlets, in what it described as a desperate attempt to intimidate and silence them. It added that anyone who believes threats can silence free voices is mistaken, as such methods will only strengthen the determination to speak the truth and continue the confrontation in defense of a sovereign Lebanese state.
The media office expressed its full solidarity with MTV and Nidaa Al Watan, as well as with all journalists facing intimidation campaigns. It also called on Lebanese authorities, particularly the Intelligence Directorate of the Lebanese Army, the Information Branch of the Internal Security Forces, and the relevant departments within General Security, to pursue and arrest those responsible for threatening journalists and media institutions, especially MTV and Nidaa Al Watan. It also urged them to track both known and anonymous accounts that continuously issue threats, identify their owners, and bring them to justice.
The statement stressed that Lebanese security agencies and the relevant judicial authorities cannot remain idle in the face of attacks against MTV, Nidaa Al Watan, and their journalists, as well as other media professionals. It warned that these institutions bear responsibility for any consequences resulting from failure to intervene and ensure accountability.
Finally, the media office emphasized that such practices will not succeed in returning Lebanon to an era of tutelage, repression, and intimidation, but will instead increase the determination of the Lebanese people to end the reality of Lebanon as an open arena and to establish a true sovereign state.
