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The Layalina Review

VOL. V NO. 12, May 22-June 04, 2009

Lebanese Media Creates Confusion among Voters

As Lebanon prepares for its upcoming elections on June seven, the Lebanese media has taken on a central role in transforming public opinion as satellite television networks are divided across sectarian lines, according to the Huffington Post.

The pro-Western, pro-Saudi March 14 Coalition is up against the Hezbollah-led March 8 Movement, and Lebanese media outlets have been confusing viewers with conflicting ideologies with 128 Parliamentary seats at stake.

Future TV has been an outlet for the Sunni community in Lebanon, while the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) reflects Maronite Christian opinion. Al-Manar, the Hezbollah-run channel and Murr TV which is affiliated with Gabrial Al-Murr, the Greek Orthodox opposition leader, are also involved. OTV is affiliated with the Free Patriotic Movement led by General Aoun.

The National Broadcasting Network (NBN) is the Nabih Berry station, the speaker of the Parliament and, while it claims no affiliation, is owned by a man who is said to have strong ties to Qatar and a strong opposition to the Hariri clan.

As each network is associated with a different faction, broadcasts have brought to light a wide variety of opinions concerning the election. LBC showed a presenter who claimed that Lebanon could easily fall into the hands of Ahmadinejad, followed by the leader of the Lebanese forces claiming, “You either vote to what Ahmadinejad has said or to what our Patriarch has been advising.”

Meanwhile, Al-Manar TV featured a guest who claimed that the US planned to make Lebanon an “American protectorate, just like Puerto Rico.” New TV has been playing stories of Israeli spies in Lebanon as Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary General of Hezbollah, calls for the deaths of all Israelis convicted of espionage. NBN claimed, “Israel is trying to control the outcome of the Lebanese Election.”

With all the conflicting messages hurled at viewers, there is no doubt that emotions run high.

In an attempt to tone-down the tension building towards elections on June seven, LBC decided to enlist its own security measures by banning all forms of political humor until after the elections, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The station’s most popular political show, “Bas Mat Watan,” is widely known for its satire concerning Lebanon’s political elite. Charbel Khalil, the producer of this show along with a satirical puppet show called Douma Cratia, has been suspended by the LBC.

Khalil was accused by the editor of the daily newspaper, Ad-Diyar, of raising tensions in a race that was already overwrought. Ad-Diyar feared this program could jeopardize the outcome of the elections.

While LBC decided to quell potential conflicts by banning political humor, the conflicting messages of each Lebanese TV station undoubtedly create confusion and misunderstanding during the elections that could increase tension regardless of the presence of satire.

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