The president of the National Audiovisual Council Abdel Hadi Mahfouz. (Credit: NNA)
The president of the Lebanese National Audiovisual Council, Abdel Hadi Mahfouz, called on Friday on the country's media and intellectual circles to exercise "restraint and calm" in their coverage of the ongoing conflict, as hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel have intensified since Sept. 23.
This statement follows appeals from activists, mayors, and intellectuals from various regions of Lebanon to "moderate the content of media institutions," which they warned could become a "source of conflict" and lead to "divergent interpretations that could harm the country's social harmony," according to the official National News Agency (NNA).
Abdel Hadi Mahfouz reiterated his commitment to combating "hate speech" that fosters "hostility and rejection of others." However, he encouraged the media to freely express their views while fostering a "shared vision that strengthens Lebanon's unity, supports the displaced, and promotes the idea of a cohesive community."
Amid escalating tensions, fueled by the displacement of over 1.3 million people due to intensified Israeli ground and air attacks, Mahfouz urged media program directors to "understand the fears of the Lebanese people." He highlighted incidents of friction between displaced populations and their host communities, as well as among the displaced themselves, such as a recent altercation at a public high school in Aley.
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