Journalism Under Attack in Lebanon

This episode of 'It Could Happen Here' examines the escalating dangers faced by journalists in Lebanon amid ongoing conflict with Israel. Host Danelle Kurd interviews Justin Salhani, a Beirut-based journalist and fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, who details the precarious conditions under which media workers operate. Since the October 7 attacks and the subsequent escalation in late 2023, Lebanese journalists—particularly those affiliated with outlets linked to Hezbollah—have become targeted in a pattern of deliberate attacks, including double-tap strikes and disinformation campaigns such as AI-generated images falsely portraying journalists as combatants. Salhani emphasizes that these actions are not isolated but part of a broader strategy to control the narrative and suppress information from conflict zones, echoing tactics seen in Gaza. Despite international humanitarian law protecting media workers, there is near-total impunity for Israel, with no accountability mechanisms in place due to Lebanon’s non-signatory status to the ICC and ICJ. The psychological toll is profound, with threats via text, fake warnings, and sonic booms creating widespread fear. While foreign journalists remain in Lebanon, they operate under a fragile sense of protection, aware that killing them would trigger international backlash. The episode concludes with a somber reflection on the tenuous ceasefire, the irreversible damage to infrastructure and environment, and the deep uncertainty about the future of journalism—and life—in Lebanon.