Beirut: The British and Canadian Ambassadors to Lebanon co-hosted a reception in Beirut to mark Lebanese Media Martyrs' Day and World Press Freedom Day. They paid tribute to journalists who have lost their lives reporting on the devastating conflict, and to those who continue to report under challenging and dangerous conditions.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, the event was attended by Minister of Information Dr Paul Morcos, former Minister of Information Ziad Makari, Lebanese and foreign journalists, Media Freedom Coalition Ambassadors, with Finland as co-chair this year, MPs and NGOs. The attendees marked the gathering with a moment of silence for all the journalists who died in the conflict.
Lebanese Media Martyrs' Day, marked annually on 6 May, was first established to commemorate intellectuals executed during the First World War. Over time, it has come to honour journalists killed for their work, reflecting Lebanon's long struggle for freedom of expression.
As Co-Chairs of the Media Freedom Coalition, the UK and Finland strongly condemn all violence directed against journalists and media workers and call on Israeli authorities and all other parties to ensure that journalists in Lebanon can carry out their work freely and safely. The Ambassadors also underscored that threats to media freedom extend beyond times of war, including intimidation, censorship and criminalisation.
British Ambassador Hamish Cowell stated that the day is about remembrance and resolve, emphasizing the essential role journalists play in documenting reality and telling difficult truths. He highlighted the UK's condemnation of attacks on journalists and its call for the protection of media workers and adherence to international law.
Canadian Ambassador Gregory Galligan reiterated the importance of media freedom as a cornerstone of democratic societies. He stressed that journalists must operate without fear of violence or reprisal and expressed Canada's commitment to supporting journalists in Lebanon and worldwide, advocating for accountability and an end to impunity.