2023-08-20 14:33:18
The company organizing the Egyptian artist Amr Diab’s concert in Lebanon raised widespread disapproval in the media community, due to the conditions imposed by the organizing committee on journalists, in order to allow them to cover the musical evening.
A large wave of anger prevailed among journalists in Lebanon, during the last hours, following they received invitations accompanied by pledges that they had to sign, as a condition for attending the star Amr Diab’s concert, which was held on Saturday evening in the center of the capital, Beirut, in the presence of regarding 15,000 people.
Critics
The criticism came in response to the pledge, which was sent with invitations to journalists to attend Amr Diab’s concert in Beirut, preventing them from criticizing the concert under penalty of deleting their articles, in an unprecedented precedent.
It is noteworthy that a copy of the “pledge” was published by a number of journalists in Lebanon, on social media.
Undertaking text
And the organizing company, in a precedent that concerts in Lebanon did not know, sent a letter to the journalists, as a pledge in order to sign it and commit under it not to film or interview the singer. Journalists are also required to pledge not to criticize the concert, the organizing company, or insult Amr Diab.
The company confirmed that in the event of non-compliance with the conditions, it will have the right to demand the deletion of any article or statement published or circulated through social media and websites, without the need for any warning or judicial review.
These conditions caused an outcry in the press community, as many journalists and media outlets refused to agree and sign them.
A large presence at Amr Diab’s concert
Editors’ comment
The head of the Journalists Syndicate in Lebanon, Joseph Al-Qusaifi, commented on what happened, and said, in contact with Sky News Arabia: “This issue is raised for the first time in Lebanon, especially by Arab and foreign artists.”
And he continued, “In such a capable artistic event, which Beirut needs to restore joy to the citizens, fellow journalists had the right to attend, write and film without conditions.”
“I fully and unconditionally endorse everything that the colleagues concerned have agreed on regarding this event,” he added.
He concluded, “An artistic event of this magnitude should be permissible for journalists to cover without arrangements, because it reflects Lebanon’s happy image.”
historical precedent
Lebanese journalist and writer Nazir Reda confirmed to “Sky News Arabia” that this pledge represents a precedent in the history of dealing with the media in Lebanon, as journalists were not subjected to a similar test, whether in political, social, economic, cultural, sports or artistic coverage, explaining that this pledge is what It includes preconditions the likes of which Lebanon has not witnessed.
Reda believed that “this pledge undermines, in principle, the freedom of opinion and expression guaranteed by the Lebanese constitution, and seeks to turn them into an applauding audience, and confiscates their freedom of expression.”
Reda stressed that any logistical organization should not include preconditions for the media, which is considered the most keen on the national interest and is proficient in broadcasting Lebanon’s positive image in the world. “
Ali Alloush, head of the Photographers’ Union, said, “This method of dealing with photographers and journalists represents a precedent in the history of Lebanon, as we have not experienced similar dealings with any political, economic, cultural, social or artistic event.”
And he declared, “his rejection of these illegal practices in principle, which contradict the media work charters guaranteed in national and international conventions and norms, and we also condemn this persistence in illegal dealings with photographers and journalists.”
What did the organizing company say?
The company organizing Amr Diab’s concert issued a statement to clarify some matters related to the conditions for entry to the press and the media, and pointed out that “We are certain that the great artist Amr Diab is proud of Beirut’s present and future history, and we thank him for his concert that revived its night.”
And she continued: “After communicating with the organizing party, it became clear that the aforementioned pledge was directed to journalists who wish to cover behind the scenes only, because Beirut is a breeze that revives Arab art, and its press is free, with no restrictions placed on it except those imposed by professional ethics.”
The company affirmed that “these conditions relate purely to organizational matters that do not belong to the great artist, and he did not impose them or demand their status,” stressing “the appreciation and respect of the artist Amr Diab for the press and the media, which is the covenant that he followed throughout his honorable artistic history as a partner and supporter of him in this artistic journey.”
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