Lebanese news crew assaulted in Beirut while covering Israeli strike

Lebanese news crew assaulted in Beirut while covering Israeli strike
MTV crew were attacked after Israel bombed south Beirut suburb. (AFP/File)
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Updated 31 July 2024
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Lebanese news crew assaulted in Beirut while covering Israeli strike

Lebanese news crew assaulted in Beirut while covering Israeli strike
  • MTV reporter Nawal Berry and cameraman Dany Tanios were assaulted by four men as they approached the strike's site in Haret Hreik
  • The two journalists' equipment were destroyed, and they were denied coverage

BEIRUT: A news crew from MTV Lebanon was attacked on Tuesday evening while attempting to cover the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on a south Beirut suburb.

As journalist Nawal Berry and cameraman Dany Tanios approached the site of the strike in Beirut, they were assaulted by four unidentified men, who broke their equipment, including the camera.

On July 30, Israel claimed its airstrike on Haret Hreik killed Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fuad Shukr.

The strike, the Israeli military said, was in retaliation for a rocket attack that killed 12 children in the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

The raid on Haret Hreik targeted a residential building, according to local media, killing at least three people, wounding 74 others, and causing significant damage.

“Until now, I have no clue if there were civilian casualties,” Berry said in a televised interview last night.

She told MTV presenter Ralph Doumit that while “our main concern was to find out whether there were civilian deaths and casualties,” they now felt a responsibility to condemn the attack on journalists.

“We got attacked and humiliated,” she said, adding that “as a journalist, it is my responsibility to speak out against this assault on media workers.

“If I passively go home and stay silent, it means I’m accepting that any journalist can be attacked while doing their job.”

Recounting the events, Berry said that she and her colleague quickly made their way to the site of the airstrike since “there wasn’t enough information from the scene — we couldn’t confirm if there were any casualties, but the damage seemed significant.”

She explained that her team had heard that Israel was likely to strike Hezbollah’s stronghold in Beirut in retaliation for a rocket attack on a football field in the Israel-controlled Golan Heights.

Israel accused Hezbollah of deliberately targeting civilians in Majdal Shams on July 28, two days before the strike on Haret Hreik. The Lebanese militant group quickly denied any responsibility for the attack, the AP news agency reported.

“My colleague Dany and I were prepared (to cover the anticipated strike) in Beirut, and we arrived (in southern Beirut) two hours before it happened,” Berry said.

“When it happened, we rushed to the site to see if there were any citizens or casualties — we went there to cover the events.”

As the two journalists drew closer to the site, and after they got permission from a few men who seemed to be guarding the road, four men surrounded them and struck Tanios, who was carrying the MTV camera.

“I rushed to Dany’s aid,” Berry said. “I argued with one of them that I was only doing my job and needed to get closer to the scene, when a man who was about two meters tall slapped me across the face.”

The MTV reporter was shocked that the attackers would hit a woman.

“You might argue there is no difference between a man and a woman while on the field, but this is the first time someone has physically assaulted me,” she said.

“I can’t accept that there is someone who would hit a woman, this never happened to me before,” she said. “I got slapped and smacked, and there was a man on a motorcycle who hit me on my side.”

She described the incident as the result of the “insanity of a few young men.”

Stressing that she was not implying the incident occurred because “some people think MTV is anti-Dahyeh (Beirut’s southern suburbs).”

“We covered the war in South Lebanon from day one with complete transparency and impartiality,” she said. “At no point were we anything but neutral.”

Since Oct. 8, after Israel launched its military assault on Palestine’s Gaza Strip in retaliation for a deadly Hamas attack, the Israeli military has been exchanging strikes with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Tanios, who said he was in good health, said during the same interview that when a few men saw the MTV logo on his camera, they attacked him and his colleague.

“They asked what we were covering, and I told them we’re here to cover the event that took place here,” he recounted. “I told them we’re your siblings; we’re here to support you, we’re not against you.

“One of them first punched me in the head then kicked me. He then began punching me again.”  

Slamming the attackers, Berry told her host that if a few people “have a problem with MTV,” the journalists working for the channel should not pay the price.

This is not the first time Berry and her team have been assaulted by Hezbollah loyalists. During the early days of the Oct. 17 revolution in 2019, she and her team faced a violent attack and had their camera smashed.

Supporters of the militant group Hezbollah have a history of assaulting and threatening journalists. Targets have included Layal Alekhtiar, who received death threats in 2021 and faced legal action last year for interviewing an Israeli spokesperson; Dima Sadek, who was harassed and threatened after her phone was stolen during a protest in 2022; and Ali Al-Amin, who was hospitalized following an assault in 2018.


Algerian TV channel suspended for racism against African migrants

Echorouk News TV. (X @echoroukonline)
Echorouk News TV. (X @echoroukonline)
Updated 03 May 2025
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Algerian TV channel suspended for racism against African migrants

Echorouk News TV. (X @echoroukonline)
  • Since the start of April, Algeria has expelled some 5,000 Africans to neighbouring Niger, according to state television. About half were from Niger

ALGIERS: Algerian authorities on Friday suspended broadcasts by a television news channel for 10 days after it used a racist word on social media to describe African migrants.
Echorouk News TV used the derogatory word in a Facebook post after police raids in which migrants from sub-Saharan Africa were detained.
The ANIRA broadcasting authority called the publication "extremely serious".
The report contained "a racist and discriminatory term, an attack on human dignity, conveying hate speech against a category of people because of their race," said ANIRA which demanded that the channel's management make an official apology.
Tens of thousands of undocumented African migrants have used Algeria as a staging post to attempt to get to Europe. Many have sought jobs in the North African country.
Since the start of April, Algeria has expelled some 5,000 Africans to neighbouring Niger, according to state television. About half were from Niger.
 

 


Eurovision lifts ban on Palestinian flags as scrutiny of Israel’s participation grows

Eurovision lifts ban on Palestinian flags as scrutiny of Israel’s participation grows
Updated 02 May 2025
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Eurovision lifts ban on Palestinian flags as scrutiny of Israel’s participation grows

Eurovision lifts ban on Palestinian flags as scrutiny of Israel’s participation grows
  • Fans will now be allowed to bring and display any flag that does not contain racist content, hate symbols
  • Iceland, Spain and Slovenia have all raised concerns about Israel’s participation at this year’s contest

LONDON: Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have lifted a ban on Palestinian flags for audience members, but maintained restrictions for participating artists, as pressure over Israel’s inclusion in this year’s event increased.

The change, confirmed by Danish broadcaster DR, marks a shift from the European Broadcasting Union’s longstanding rule prohibiting flags from non-competing countries and territories. That policy led to Palestinian flags being banned in previous years.

According to updated guidelines obtained by DR, fans will now be allowed to bring and display any flag that does not contain “racist and/or discriminatory content,” or symbols thought to incite hatred, violence, or linked to banned organizations.

In a statement to CNN, the EBU said the update seeks to “strike a balance to ensure that our audiences and artists can express their enthusiasm and identities,” while offering greater clarity for national delegations.

However, the relaxed policy applies only to the audience. Participating artists will still be restricted to displaying official national flags in all official Eurovision spaces, including the stage, green room, and Eurovision Village. Artists may show only the flag of the country they represent.

The revised policy comes amid growing criticism of Israel’s participation in this year’s contest to be held in Basel, Switzerland, with semifinals on May 13 and 15 and the final on May 17.

Officials in countries including Slovenia, Spain and Iceland have questioned Israel’s inclusion.

Icelandic Foreign Minister Porgerour Katrin Gunnarsdottir told a local outlet she found it “strange and actually unnatural that Israel is allowed to participate,” accusing the country of committing “war crimes” and “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza.

Despite these objections, the EBU has confirmed that Israel’s entry meets the competition’s rules. As with last year, large-scale protests are expected in Basel against Israel’s participation.

Despite pressure from pro-Israel organizations, Swiss authorities said demonstrations are permitted in principle, including those opposing Israel’s presence, provided they comply with public safety regulations.


Spotify, EA Sports test in-game music integration in Saudi Arabia

Spotify, EA Sports test in-game music integration in Saudi Arabia
Updated 01 May 2025
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Spotify, EA Sports test in-game music integration in Saudi Arabia

Spotify, EA Sports test in-game music integration in Saudi Arabia
  • Players in Kingdom can now link their account directly with video game

LONDON: Spotify and EA Sports have launched a pilot project that allows players to link their Spotify accounts directly with the EA Sports FC 25 video game.

The feature is being rolled out in Saudi Arabia and selected other markets.

The project, which was announced on Thursday, enables Spotify Premium users to log in via a new tab in the main game menu and control music playback during gameplay, including during team selection or from the pause menu.

The Swedish music platform said the partnership aimed at offering players more control over their in-game audio.

It said: “Long seen as the perfect companion to gaming, music boosts focus, amplifies adrenaline, and heightens the emotional highs of every match.

“Through this collaboration, players can now curate their perfect in-game soundtrack, listening to the artists they love.”

Podcast access and curated playlists will also be available.

The feature is currently accessible to Premium users playing EA Sports FC 25 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in Saudi Arabia and Australia.

The Kingdom has become a growing market for gaming and electronic sports, driven by a young and tech-savvy population.

Gaming now plays a prominent role in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 diversification strategy, with plans for the sector to contribute more than $13 billion to the economy and create tens of thousands of jobs, according to Savvy Games Group.

Riyadh hosted the inaugural Esports World Cup last summer, a large-scale tournament featuring 23 events across major titles including Fortnite, Call of Duty, and EA Sports FC, with a record-setting prize pool of $62.5 million.


Jeddah communication conference explores anime’s digital evolution

Jeddah communication conference explores anime’s digital evolution
Updated 01 May 2025
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Jeddah communication conference explores anime’s digital evolution

Jeddah communication conference explores anime’s digital evolution
  • The session focused on anime’s shift from traditional television broadcasts and DVDs to digital platforms, including live streaming, instant subtitling and cloud-based production

RIYADH: The eighth session of the Digital Communication Conference, titled “Anime in the Digital Space,” explored the transformation of Japanese anime over the past two decades, highlighting the impact of digital innovation and the internet.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the session focused on anime’s shift from traditional television broadcasts and DVDs to digital platforms, including live streaming, instant subtitling and cloud-based production.

Streaming giants such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Funimation were highlighted as pivotal players in the transition, offering translated or dubbed episodes immediately upon release and funding original series such as “Devilman Crybaby” and “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.”

Speakers in the session, including Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary, said that social media and online forums have opened the door to unprecedented engagement among fans, as well as community and cultural interaction, since audiences now take part in evaluating episodes.

Concerns were raised that heavy dependence on technology could erode the handcrafted aesthetic that defines traditional anime.

Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning interest in manga and anime, which dates back to the 1970s, is helping to usher in a revolution in cultural production.

Japanese art forms have captivated audiences of all ages, gaining significant popularity in recent years. Their ability to combine entertainment, culture and education has made them of great interest to Saudi society.

To support this interest, the General Entertainment Authority has hosted events like the Saudi Anime Expo, drawing international visitors.

In line with these efforts, the ministries of culture and education launched the Manga Education program to nurture student talent, as well as integrate arts and culture into public education.
 


Israel arrests veteran Palestinian journalist in West Bank

Israel arrests veteran Palestinian journalist in West Bank
Updated 30 April 2025
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Israel arrests veteran Palestinian journalist in West Bank

Israel arrests veteran Palestinian journalist in West Bank
  • Ali Al-Samoudi’s family denies claims of links to Islamic Jihad
  • Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemns reporter’s arrest

DUBAI: Israeli forces arrested prominent Palestinian journalist Ali Al-Samoudi during an overnight raid on Tuesday in the northern West Bank city of Jenin, according to media reports.

Al-Quds newspaper correspondent Al-Samoudi, 58, was detained after the Israeli military raided and searched up his home in Al-Zahraa neighborhood, destroying “some of its contents”.

According to the military, he is accused of having ties with the militant Palestinian Islamic Jihad organization and transferring funds to the group. However, the military did not provide evidence to support the claim.

After he was interrogated at a disclosed location, Al-Samoudi was transferred to an Israeli hospital due to his health deteriorating, his son Mohammed told the BBC.

His family, who denies the accusations, was not informed of the name of the hospital where he was being treated, or any other details.

Al-Samoudi previously survived an attack by Israeli forces in 2022, the same assault that killed prominent Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Aqleh, who was a correspondent for Al-Jazeera.

Al-Samoudi was shot and wounded in his back.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned Al-Samoudi’s arrest in a statement on Tuesday.

As of April 30, 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists has documented 79 arrests of journalists by Israel in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza since Oct. 7 war began, in addition to five other arrests by the Palestinian authorities.

Forty-nine of these journalists, including the five held by Palestinian authorities, have since been released, while 35 remain under arrest.

The CPJ’s preliminary investigations also showed at least 176 journalists and media staff were killed during Israel’s war on Gaza, West Bank and Lebanon, marking the deadliest period for journalists in the region.