Journalists covering Israel-Hezbollah war, as well as the ongoing attacks during the “ceasefire,” have faced multiple, severe violations. From the start of the war, Israel directly targeted, threatened, and bombed journalists, killing and seriously injuring dozens, disregarding their international protections. Press signs offered little protection, forcing many journalists to limit their movements for fear of being targeted. Moreover, the deliberate targeting of transportation and media equipment obstructed journalists’ ability to document events and report accurately.
The deliberate targeting of journalists constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law and undermines freedom of expression, including the public’s right to receive information.
Journalists have called for accountability from national and international bodies. They have called on the Lebanese authorities to guarantee their protection and requested more support, including better access to the internet for access to information, training and protective equipment; as well as easier access to press cards.
In its report titled “A War Without Red Lines: Threats and Risks Facing Journalists in Lebanon”, Maharat recommended granting journalists special status under Lebanese law, recognizing the vital role their work plays in protecting the public interest. Furthermore, in a joint UPR submission, Maharat and its partners emphasized that the Lebanese state must ensure a safe and enabling environment for journalists and civil society, and when violations occur, ensure accountability. This includes conducting impartial investigations into attacks, and bringing perpetrators to justice. The government should also utilise all available domestic and international measures to document the crimes committed by Israel against journalists, and to advocate for holding the perpetrators accountable.
Furthermore, for Maharat, strengthening independent journalism is also key in conflictual contexts as it is vital for transparency, accountability, and the public’s right to information. Journalists on the frontlines document events and expose human rights violations, often under extreme risk.
Upholding journalistic ethics and principles including accuracy, impartiality, fairness, and integrity is crucial to ensure reporting remains credible and does not exacerbate tensions. Responsible journalism in war zones requires careful verification of information and sensitivity to the impact on affected communities. Ethical reporting helps prevent the spread of misinformation, propaganda, and hate speech, which can fuel conflict.
However, during the war, many Lebanese media outlets, reflecting the country’s political and sectarian divisions, failed to uphold these ethical standards, as coverage was often shaped by partisan agendas rather than the public interest. Furthermore, they did not maintain the necessary distance from the Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee, whose actions should be understood as propaganda as he endorsed the systematic destruction of residential buildings, hospitals, historical and commercial sites, and the targeting of civilians. The impact of the Israeli spokesperson was amplified by the absence of a Lebanese media official or official media entity to counter Israeli propaganda, allowing it to dominate the local media space.
This underscores the importance of public communication that rises above political divisions and prioritizes the public’s right to accurate, verified information.
Roula Mikhael is the Executive Director of the Maharat Foundation
