Journalists' protective vests inside a destroyed car at the site of an Israeli strike in Hasbaya, southern Lebanon, which killed three journalists, Oct. 25, 2024. (Credit: Ali Hankiri/AFP)
BEIRUT — The Lebanese Press Editors Syndicate commemorated Martyrs Day in front of the Martyrs' Statue in downtown Beirut on Tuesday in the presence of journalists and media professionals.
The event included a tribute to colleagues who covered the war in Lebanon. A wrath of laurel was also laid on behalf of the Syndicate at the martyrs' statue.
Aoun pointed out that "many journalists have fallen as martyrs, especially during the Israeli war on Lebanon, while performing their professional duty with honesty and honor."
Aoun also emphasized that "the martyrs of the Lebanese press are a symbol of the free word that does not bend in the face of injustice and aggression, and a symbol of the solid Lebanese will that refuses to submit and surrender."
President Aoun stressed that “the best way to honor our martyrs is to preserve our national unity and the cohesion of our social fabric, and to work diligently to build a country worthy of their sacrifices, a strong and invincible country that protects its people and safeguards their dignity.”
"We pledge our innocent martyrs, including the martyrs of the Lebanese press, to remain faithful to the cause for which they were martyred, the cause of a free, sovereign and independent Lebanon. We pledge to them that we will continue to fight for the Lebanon they dreamed of, the Lebanon of justice, equality and dignity", the President finally said.
Salam wrote on X, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA): "On the anniversary of the martyrs and their day, we bow in reverence to their souls that rose in defense of truth and justice. They were a resounding voice for freedom and dignity in the face of oppression and tyranny. Mercy to all these free people. It is our responsibility to achieve justice for their legacy and for the future that they dreamed of. The ink of their pen still draws for us the path of the sovereign, just and strong state that we are working to build, in honor of their blood and for the protection of ourselves and our children.
For the same occasion, the Press Club emphasized that it is time for the people of the press and media to "receive the appreciation and rights they deserve at various levels, as well as care and protection that provides them with freedom of expression without enticement or intimidation, so that they are not always treated as potential martyrs or suffer a slow death while they are alive."
"In light of the promise of the new era, it is necessary to establish guarantees that journalists will not be criminally prosecuted, to provide the conditions necessary for a dignified life with all its associated rights and benefits, in addition to the serious prosecution of all those who assaulted journalists, whether through assassination, murder, or any form of violence", the Press Club added.
The French Embassy in Lebanon also released a statement on X: "On the occasion of the anniversary of the martyrs of the Lebanese press, France pays tribute to the journalists who died in the service of a free and independent press. France reaffirms its commitment to freedom of the press and access to information, which are essential in any democratic society."
The Shiite cleric Ali Fadlallah appreciated in a statement relayed by NNA “the sacrifices made and offered by media professionals and journalists.”
Fadlallah saluted “all media professionals who have raised the banner of free speech and made great efforts and sacrifices, serving as messengers of truth through voice, image, and care."
He also expressed appreciation for “the loyal and committed press for its role in building awareness and knowledge, championing national and regional causes, and contributing to the advancement and progress of society in its pursuit of liberation, unity, and prosperity."
According to figures from the SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom, twelve journalists working for local and international media were killed during the war between Hezbollah and Israel, while at least 21 others were injured. Three of them were hit in January 2025, nearly two months after the ceasefire, while covering the return of South Lebanon residents to Maroun el-Ras (Bint Jbeil) and Houla (Marjeyoun).
From Martyrs Square, Minister of Information Paul Morcos delivered a speech in which he pledged to build a future anniversary, better than the current one. He also called on everyone ”to reflect and work for the renaissance of journalism and the victory of our martyrs."
Meanwhile, President of the Editors' Syndicate Joseph Qusayfi said: "From the beginning of the twentieth century to this day, martyr after martyr...and the list goes on and on ... Today we honor the colleagues who covered Israel's war against Lebanon and documented it faithfully, some of them paid with their lives, and others carry their wounds as medals of pride. Israel was and still is an enemy, and we are on the lookout for its crimes... we write, broadcast, film, scream, and we are not afraid."
"On this day, we say to those who have ears to hear: Freedom of the press and media is a red line, a new media law is a must. Any attempt to besiege, sideline or circumvent the role of the syndicates established by the law will not pass", Qusayfi said.
For his part, Press Syndicate President Awni al-Kaaki addressed “the men of the media and press,” saying: "Stay on your positions, hold on to your values and conscience. You are the kind of people who do not fear the truth. Remain steadfast, victory is yours."
Meanwhile, the deputy head of the Lebanese Press Photographers Syndicate, photographer Karim Hajj, representing Captain Ali Alloush, who is out of Lebanon, delivered the syndicate's speech, saying: “Today we stand in honor of the sacrifices of women and men who carried the pen and the camera sincerely, and made the free word and image into a stance, and the truth an uncompromising message.”
At the end of the commemoration, certificates of appreciation were distributed to media professionals and journalists who participated in covering the Israeli war on Lebanon, and journalists who were injured received the Wounded Journalist Medal from the Editors' Syndicate.
Aoun and Salam pay tribute
For the same occasion, President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, along with others, paid tribute to the sacrifices of the slain media professionals and pledged to uphold the values for which they died.
In a statement, the head of state praised the memory of martyrs in Lebanon, including journalists. "Many journalists fell as martyrs, especially during the Israeli war against Lebanon, while performing their professional duty with honesty and honor," noted Aoun.
He further clarified that "neither shells nor raids deterred them from reporting the truth as it is, making them the country's ambassadors to the world in the darkest and most difficult circumstances." For the president, the journalism martyrs "are the symbol of a free voice that does not bend before injustice and aggression, and of the strong Lebanese will that refuses to submit." He indicated that "their sacrifices will remain a beacon illuminating the path of freedom and dignity for all Lebanese."
Aoun also noted that "the best honor to give our martyrs is to preserve our national unity and the cohesion of our social fabric, and to diligently work towards building a nation worthy of their sacrifices, a strong and invincible country that protects its people and preserves their dignity." "We promise our honorable martyrs, including the martyrs of the Lebanese press, to remain faithful to the cause for which they were martyred, the cause of a free, sovereign, and independent Lebanon. We promise them to continue to strive for the Lebanon they dreamed of, the Lebanon of justice, equality, and dignity," concluded the head of state.
Salam, wrote on X that the journalism martyrs "were a resounding voice for freedom and dignity against oppression and tyranny." "We bow with respect before their souls who stood up to defend truth and justice," he continued, deeming it our responsibility "to deliver justice to their legacy and the future they dreamed of." "The ink of their pens continues to draw for us the path of the sovereign, just, and strong state that we strive to build, in honor of their blood and for our protection and that of our children," concluded Salam.
Other tributes
For the same occasion, the Press Club highlighted that it is time for media personnel "to receive the appreciation and rights they deserve at different levels, as well as the care and protection that ensure their freedom of expression without incitement or intimidation." "In light of the promises of the new era, it is necessary to establish guarantees that journalists will not face criminal prosecution, to provide the necessary conditions for a dignified life with all the associated rights and benefits, and to seriously pursue all those who have attacked journalists, whether through assassination, murder, or any other form of violence," added the Club.
The French Embassy in Lebanon also released a statement on X in which it paid "tribute to journalists who died in the service of a free and independent press." "France reaffirms its commitment to press freedom and access to information, essential in any democratic society," it stated.
Finally, Shia cleric Ali Fadlallah emphasized in a statement relayed by the National News Agency (Ani, official) "the sacrifices of media professionals and journalists" and saluted "all media professionals who have raised the banner of freedom of expression and have made great efforts and sacrifices, serving as messengers of truth."
