Editorial

  Issue No 5, Nov 2002

A Word From Us

Both the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the House have stated that the audio-visual media law is improper and that they as politicians should not be TV stations owners. Would it be mischevious to ask who twisted our politicians’ arms into becoming founding members and owners of such stations? And now that it has dawned on them that it is wrong, why don’t they rectify the situation? The Minister of Information has also made a statement to the effect that if the government was to implement the already deficient and biased law, then all TV stations would have to be shut down.

The same politicians were responsible for Tele-Liban’s recruitment policy and infringement on its exclusive broadcast rights, which were supposed to extend until 2012, and have caused millions of dollars in losses paid by the people. Should they not foot the bill?

Law No. 382, which is reviewed in this issue’s lead article, helped those politicians be in command of the media and as confirmed by the Minister of Information, it is also being violated. By passing this law in 1994, both the parliament and the government have violated the constitution, the penal code and the illicit wealth laws. The recent statements by those politicians are a testimony to that.

MTV was not the only channel that promoted or supported a candidate for parliament. Tele--Liban ran ads against Hariri while Future TV was in full support of its founder and owner. LBC, partly owned by two prominent politicians, did not hide its favorites in the coverage of news and events, and the same applies to NBN and Al Manar in the parliamentary election campaign and news coverage.

A recent poll conducted by Information International has shown that 60% of the public opposes the closure of MTV while 61% believe that the judiciary is influenced by politicians. However, the shutdown of MTV should not be viewed as an ‘attack on freedoms’ since freedom was itself the victim when all the stations were licensed on a political and confessional basis, with each representing a certain sect and political leader. The shutdown should also not be viewed as the upholding of the rule of law and institutions for the same reasons.

One cannot help wondering and perhaps wishing for the shutdown of all TV stations for 30 days, allowing the Lebanese people to catch their breath and contemplate what is wrong in the country. Maybe we would speak out honestly, forgive and reconcile, and perhaps read a book or two.


Jawad Adra
Managing Partner

  

  Current Statistics

Crime

• 28,830 crimes were recorded in Lebanon in the year 2001, out of which 74 were classified as murder and 17,460 as robberies.

Legislation

• 73 laws have been approved by the Chamber of Deputies over four legislative sessions held this year.

Public Debt

• Net public debt soared from $28.8 billion in May 2002 up to $29.4 billion by the end of August, representing an increase of $600 million in three months.

Lending

• The World Bank agreed to give Lebanon $682.9 million in loans between the years 1993-2001, but the amount spent so far has not exceeded $370 million.

Public Sector

• $1.8 million will be saved annually if the Chamber of Deputies approves a government project that reduces compensation and related benefits to public authorities by 15%.

Central Inspection Department

• 386 penalties were handed down by the Central Inspection Department in the year 2001, with 80% of them pertaining to Category 4 employees. This is in comparison to 512 penalties that were handed down in the year 2000.

 

 

Company Activities

  
 

Opinion poll on the Wazzani River issue

Conducted in Greater Beirut, this poll surveyed opinions on Lebanon’s water rights and the increased use of its share of the Wazzani, as well as expectations of the Israeli reaction when the pumping of water begins. The role of foreign mediation was also addressed, measuring the public’s preference for either direct negotiations or foreign mediation to resolve the issue. In the case of mediation, the question of who would be the preferred party was also posed.
Poll addressing politics, women and higher education

This poll was conducted in Greater Beirut and aimed at gauging public outlook on a number of political issues, such as the best candidate for the post of Prime Minister, a new electoral law and the creation of a Senate. The poll also tackled women’s issues, in terms of involvement in politics and possible military service. Finally, university student views were addressed regarding current political life and student body organizations, as well as views on emigration.

 

 

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