Lebanese PM demands press objectivity and ‘distance’

Mikati warns media representatives of abandoning press neutrality Beirut – Georges Chahine Lebanese Prime Minister Naguib Mikati has called to rein in the country’s media, amid accusations some elements within the press establishment are pushing the country towards the conflict in Syria. Mikati called for “distance” between Lebanese media sources and the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Syria, warning that only “neutrality” would achieve this end.
“Lebanon has, for now, managed to dissociate itself from the repercussions of the events in its vicinity, but there are attempts to implicate it in them, and some of these attempts are being carried out through the media,” Mikati was quoted as saying by the National News Agency on Friday, following a meeting with media representatives.
“We should be wary of these new attempts to destabilise the Lebanese scene.”
Abdelhadi Mahfouz, chairman of Lebanon’s National Media Council, meanwhile called for a “balance” between protecting freedom of expression and respecting the rule of law.
“Lebanon absolutely respects the value of media freedom,” he said.