Journalists condemns Israeli attack on Al-Manar station
Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 7/15/2006

Israel bombed the civilian TV station Al-Manar belonging to Hizbullah, and is located in Beirut's southern suburbs. The Israeli targeting of the station wounded three employees.

The International Federation of Journalists yesterday condemned the Israeli bombing of the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Manar, warning that the attack follows a pattern of media targeting that threatens the lives of media staff, violates international law and endorses the use of violence to stifle dissident media.

"The bombing of Al-Manar is a clear demonstration that Israel has a policy of using violence to silence media it does not agree with," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White.

"This action means media can become routine targets in every conflict. It is a strategy that spells catastrophe for press freedom and should never be endorsed by a government that calls itself democratic."

Israeli helicopters fired a missile at the headquarters of Al-Manar in the Beirut suburb of Haret Hreik, wounding seven people, including a television employee. Israeli aircraft later attacked an Al-Manar transmission tower south of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, witnesses said.

"The concern here is that when one side decides to take out a media organization because they regard its message as propaganda, then all media are at risk," said White.

"In conflict situations, unarmed journalists cannot be treated as combatants, irrespective of their political affiliations." The Brussels-based IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries.

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  Pakistan condemns Israel's attack on Beirut airport   (7/14/2006)
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