The Media and Communications Committee meets with caretaker Telecoms Minister Johnny Corm in light of increased prices of telecom tariffs. (Credit: Joseph Eid/AFP)
BEIRUT — The Media and Communications Committee held a session headed by Member of Parliament Ibrahim al-Moussawi, in the presence of caretaker Telecoms Minister Johnny Corm.
Here’s what we know:
• Moussawi stated the committee discussed with Corm the increased telecom tariffs by operators Alfa, MTC and Ogero, questioning if there “were no other measures.”
• Corm stated there “was no other possibility to improve and mitigate this reality.”
• Moussawi stated that the “committee stands beside the citizens and wants to carry out a balanced and accurate process in order to be able to save this sector from collapsing further.”
• “We know that the salary of the Lebanese citizen is barely enough for a quarter of the bill for one mobile phone,” Moussawi stated.
• This session was turned into questioning and interrogation. The minister gave answers and the committee is still waiting for answers, and the committee took the decision to “hold an additional extraordinary session in which [they] will explore with the minister and the competent authorities the possibility of allocating something to ease the burden on the citizens."