Syndicate in the spotlight

An Executive journalist recently presented himself at the Parliament to request an interview, and was confronted by a guard who demanded to see his official press syndicate credentials. The journalist laughed. “Have you ever seen the press syndicate?” he asked, referring to the elusive quasi-governmental body responsible for granting local journalists press cards.  The soldier rolled his eyes and waved the journalist through. Though he may not have found the joke funny, he understood its punch line. Very few Lebanese journalists carry official press cards, despite the fact that, according to the country’s 1962 Press Law, all journalists and editors must be organized within the Lebanese Press Syndicate. The syndicate is organized into the Press Association and Editors Association, both of which submit members to the 12-seat Press Council where most of the syndicate’s power is concentrated. Theoretically, the syndicate grants press credentials, licenses periodicals, offers its members special services