The Lebanese Center for Media Studies and Freedoms strongly condemned the attack on journalists while carrying out their professional duties in a southern town, as they documented the scale of destruction and followed the return of residents to their homes.

Center head Saad Chanin described the incident as a blatant violation of press freedom and a dangerous breach of the laws and norms that protect media work, stressing that any attempt to intimidate journalists or prevent them from reporting the truth is unacceptable and must be condemned.

The center said the physical and verbal assaults, including beatings, insults, threats, accusations of treason, and damage to private property, constitute a serious violation of media freedom and a direct attack on the public’s right to access accurate information.

It warned that targeting journalists while they are performing their duties undermines the foundations of public freedoms and sets a dangerous precedent that cannot be tolerated, calling on authorities to act immediately to hold those responsible accountable and ensure the protection of media professionals in the field.

The center also praised the efforts of Information Minister Paul Morcos and Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar in addressing the case, stressing the importance of continuing judicial and security follow-up to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

It concluded by reaffirming that press freedom is a cornerstone of any democratic society, and that protecting journalists and safeguarding their dignity is a national responsibility that must not be compromised.