A judge in Lebanon issued a non-binding resolution on Saturday prohibiting the media from publishing any statements to the American ambassador in Beirut Dorothy Shea, or conducting any interview with her after statements she made about Hezbollah.
The Judge of Urgent Matters in Tire (South), Muhammad Mazeh, issued a non-binding order that prohibits any Lebanese or foreign media outlets operating on Lebanese soil, whether visible, audio, written or electronic, from conducting any interview with the American Ambassador (Dorothy Chia) Or have any conversation with her for a year. "
The judicial decision threatened any media outlet that did not abide by its suspension from work for a year, and a fine of 200,000 dollars.
Criticism of Hezbollah
The decision came after Chia said Friday in an interview with Saudi Al-Hadath TV that "the United States is very concerned about the role of Hezbollah, which is classified as a terrorist organization."
She added that "the party prevented from carrying out some of the reforms that the Lebanese economy needs to a great extent", and that "billions of dollars went to Hezbollah’s state, instead of the government treasury."
The United States considers Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, a "terrorist" organization, knowing that the party and its allies have the majority of seats in parliament and its opponents accuse him of dominating the government.
The judicial decision considered that what the American ambassador said about Hezbollah "deviates from the usual and customary diplomatic norms ... and offends the feelings of many Lebanese ... It contributes to pitting the Lebanese people against each other, the aforementioned party and what it represents, and raises sectarian, sectarian and political strife."
Confirmation of freedom of the media
For her part, Lebanese Minister of Information Manal Abdel Samad played down the importance of the decision, saying, "I understand the jealousy of eliminating homeland security from the interference of some diplomats in its internal affairs. But no one has the right to limit media freedom and prevent the media from reporting the news."
"In the event that someone has a problem with the media, let the solution be through the Ministry of Information, the Syndicate, and the advisory role of the National Media Council, ending with the Publications Court," she said.
The Minister denied what the Lebanese government apologized to the American Ambassador for this judicial decision, and stressed that the government respects the independence of the judiciary.
The US embassy in Lebanon replied via its Twitter account and said, "We strongly believe in freedom of expression and the important role that the free press plays in the United States and in Lebanon. We stand with the Lebanese people."
The local channel of the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation "LBC" confirmed that it would not abide by the decision, and considered it "non-binding and not enforceable", indicating that it would file an appeal against it.