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Photojournalist Assaulted And Threatened For Documenting Protests In South Lebanon
Yesterday, Beirut-based photojournalist Hasan Shaaban was attacked by a group of individuals as his videos of residents in Beit Yahoun (Bint Jbeil) protesting were circulating on social media. The region had been suffering from frequent water cuts over the past year, and the protest has been going on for several days amid little to no media coverage.
Shaaban, who is a Beit Yahoun resident himself, received death threats by the group if he chose to stay in town – a direct violation of freedom of press.
In response to the recent aggressions against him, Shaaban expressed that he will not be succumbing to their threats and will not leave his hometown.
Amid economic and political turmoil, citizens are being silenced and those reporting on the harsh reality in Lebanon are being targeted and scrutinized for speaking the truth, especially in regions taken over by powerful political parties.
We express our support to all journalists who have experienced attempts to restrict their freedoms at the hands of political parties and authorities.
Update: According to Megaphone News, the group struck Shaaban’s car window with a bullet to reiterate their threats to him.
Shaaban, who is a Beit Yahoun resident himself, received death threats by the group if he chose to stay in town – a direct violation of freedom of press.
#Lebanon:
— Hasan Shaaban (@hasanshaaban) August 3, 2022
I was assaulted today by a group affiliated with Hezbollah at 20:40 after videos of a protest in my home town Beit Yahoun circulated social media yesterday, I also received death threats during & after the beating if i stay in the town.#Not_leaving#Photojournalism
In response to the recent aggressions against him, Shaaban expressed that he will not be succumbing to their threats and will not leave his hometown.
Amid economic and political turmoil, citizens are being silenced and those reporting on the harsh reality in Lebanon are being targeted and scrutinized for speaking the truth, especially in regions taken over by powerful political parties.
We express our support to all journalists who have experienced attempts to restrict their freedoms at the hands of political parties and authorities.
Update: According to Megaphone News, the group struck Shaaban’s car window with a bullet to reiterate their threats to him.
The people who assaulted press photographer Hassan Shaaban reiterated their threat to him with a bullet stuck to his car window, after he was attacked on Wednesday night by #Hezbollah supporters.
— Megaphone (@megaphone_news) August 4, 2022
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