Between the Danger of Conflict and the Duty of the Media: Challenges Faced by Local Journalists Covering the Ain al-Hilweh Events in Lebanon!

Covering armed clashes and conflicts is a task that opens a window for the world to witness the reality of events and highlights their impact on communities and individuals. Journalists specializing in this field must be prepared to face major challenges, starting from physical danger to the ethical responsibility of conveying facts with accuracy and objectivity. They must also adhere to safety and security standards, as well as local and international laws aimed at protecting them while performing their media duties.

"Dialectic" interviewed four journalists working with different local media outlets: Ibrahim Al-Ghareeb, correspondent for An-Nahar newspaper and 360 website; Mohamed Zenaty, correspondent for LBC channel; Ibrahim Daoui, correspondent for Sawt Beirut International; and Mohamed Al-Janoun, correspondent for Lebanon 24. So what did they reveal about their field experience?

The Helmet and Vest Come First

The journalists who were on the ground unanimously emphasized the importance of wearing helmets and blue protective vests labeled with the word “PRESS” throughout the entire period of covering the clashes in the Ain al-Hilweh camp.

The locations where they stayed during the coverage ranged from schools to rooftops. Ibrahim Daoui stressed that “before settling in any location close to the clashes, prior permission from the residents must be obtained—especially when reporting from a residential building rooftop.” Mohamed Zenaty added that “the geographical nature of Ain al-Hilweh camp places it between a series of overlooking hills, which makes it easier to capture footage and appear in live reports. We didn’t remain in one spot throughout the clashes; instead, we moved between the frontlines and hilltops to deliver the clearest and most comprehensive image to viewers.”

Similarly, Mohamed Al-Janoun noted that “caution and careful location selection are a top priority for me, with close attention to the overall safety of the field reporting crew.” This point aligns with what Ibrahim Al-Ghareeb shared regarding the importance of choosing locations that provide the best and widest view for the audience.
Ibrahim Daoui recounts what happened when the Israeli occupation forces bombarded the city of Tyre during last Ramadan. He was staying in a hotel near the scene and saw glass falling onto one of his colleagues, injuring him in the head. As a result, he now prefers not to stay in the midst of clashes or close to them, opting instead to return early in the morning to continue his journalistic work.

Regarding coordination with security leaders inside the camp and informing them of the journalists' and correspondents' locations to ensure their safety, Mohamed Al-Janoun says, "There was no direct coordination with security forces or leaders inside the camp, but in case of an emergency, coordination is made with the Lebanese security forces or the recognized parties in the area."

On the other hand, Ibrahim Daoui coordinates exclusively with the Lebanese army, especially when he is inside the camp or on its outskirts. He takes into account "the directives he receives from the army's command, as they are the authorized body to protect this area," as he puts it. For their part, both Mohamed Zenaty and Ibrahim Al-Ghareeb leverage their relationships with the security forces and internal security forces when covering events. Al-Ghareeb adds, "There is no coordination with the 'Palestinian' security leaders inside the camp, and I try as much as possible to avoid coordinating with the Lebanese army, without revealing the reasons, except on the last day of coverage when a member of the army instructed Ibrahim and the journalistic team to take photos from a distant angle to avoid showing the Lebanese army."

Fact-checking is crucial

Some individuals are swayed by rumors or unverified information, which makes the responsibility of journalists and reporters even more significant in verifying the credibility of information through multiple sources before publishing any news.

Ibrahim Al-Ghareeb moves between the editorial office and the field during his process of gathering and verifying information. Once a particular story is published, "he sends it to the platform he works for to be verified through the institution’s sources, in addition to coordinating with colleagues from different media outlets on the ground to verify the news. Afterward, he broadcasts and publishes the news, ensuring constant coordination with the operations and news rooms." As for Mohamed Zenaty, "he ensures to verify the information himself from several 'reliable' sources, especially in the era of WhatsApp groups that spread a lot of news throughout the day, which makes it a complicated test related to credibility and accuracy." Zenaty believes that "field analysis can play an important role in managing information on the front lines, especially regarding ceasefire violations between the two parties or video clips published or received via his phone about the renewal of clashes."

For his part, Mohamed Al-Janoun considers that "perhaps the greatest responsibility resting on the shoulders of field journalists is verifying information. The journalist must have the quick initiative to distinguish between accurate news and false news by contacting official sources related to the events, while keeping in mind the red lines in opening direct communication channels with 'terrorists,' which was a significant challenge in transmitting information."

Between the Danger of Conflict and the Duty of Media

Article 33 of the Lebanese Media Law (Chapter 6) states that "television and radio institutions are legally responsible for any mistakes in their activities," which is linked to how media institutions publish information and the extent to which it is verified before being broadcast. It also relates to balancing social responsibility with broadcasting information.

For Mohamed Al-Janoun, "the balance between the ethics of the profession and coverage close to the front lines is the most important. The journalist in the field is responsible for conveying information and facts and ensuring that reality is not distorted during coverage. Media ethics and journalistic duty necessitate not broadcasting images that harm humanity or people's feelings, or those that have a grim nature, while insisting on not being swayed by 'the scoop,' taking into account the policy of the institution they work for."

Both Ibrahim Daoui and Mohamed Zenaty agree with Al-Janoun, but Daoui, in particular, emphasizes "the importance of keeping civilians as far as possible from camera lenses, especially when there is a displacement process among the residents and safeguarding their privacy." Therefore, a journalist should "choose a relatively suitable place to capture the overall scene, being careful about how to take shots, coordinating with the photographer."

Meanwhile, Mohamed Zenaty tries as much as possible "to balance the publication of information with journalistic ethics, for example, refraining from mentioning the names of all injured Lebanese Army personnel or photographing children and women inside displacement areas, which is emphasized by the institution’s policy he works for."

In the Same Context, Ibrahim Al-Ghareeb Emphasizes Balance

Ibrahim Al-Ghareeb focuses on maintaining a balance between publishing information and preserving the viewers' feelings. He recalls a moment during a live broadcast when he was insulted by a passerby while delivering his live report. Despite the incident, he remained composed and tried to maintain balance in his delivery.

Ongoing Challenges in Media Law

Currently, Lebanese media is regulated by the Press Law of 1962 and the Audio-Visual Media Law of 1994. In collaboration with the Ministry of Information, the revised text is based on a draft media law that has been in the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and Justice since July 2021, reflecting some important updates. However, there is criticism and an issue with the Ministry of Information regarding the lack of clear regulation over the media profession, as the existing laws are general and do not precisely define the duties of media outlets, particularly regarding coverage of conflict zones.

Managing Anxiety and Psychological Stress

Fatima Zaki Abu Haya wrote an article for the "Al Jazeera Media Institute" in which she stated that "the focus on the mental health of journalists has become a global trend, especially considering the wars, tragic stories, threats, and attempts to stop their work, alongside arrests and risks that make death a real possibility. Journalists might experience all of this while sitting behind their desk, without even being in the field, and without any physical fatigue, which leads some people to believe that this profession is 'easy' and enviable."

For Ibrahim Daoui, "self-restraint" and the ability to appear calm during live broadcasts are the most important. However, he does not deny that he faces psychological pressure, such as anxiety from stray bullets. Despite the protection provided by the helmet and vest, areas such as the eyes, neck, and hands remain exposed. As for the emotional stress during fieldwork, "sadness and anxiety overwhelm him when hearing the stories of displaced people fleeing from the battles, which makes Ibrahim, the human being, imagine himself in the place of those displaced."

Mohamed Zenaty shares the psychological pressures Daoui mentioned, particularly when "hearing the sound of a shell for the first time, where fear can creep in, but afterwards, it becomes normal." According to him, "It is important for the journalist to have the ability to control their nerves, as they are in a war zone, not in a recreational place. They must consider all possibilities, such as being shot or hit by shrapnel."

Mohamed Al-Janoun clarifies that even if a journalist feels pressure and anxiety, "this should not overshadow the need to gather information and convey it accurately without showing any personal emotions such as worry, fear, or tension." He believes that "being with several colleagues in one place during coverage can create a safe circle."

For Ibrahim Al-Ghareeb, he links anxiety and stress to the ease of communication with the institution he works with. "The smoother the communication with the newsroom, the more comfortable the journalist feels in delivering the events to the viewers. However, this does not negate the feeling of danger when the intensity of the battles escalates."

Challenges Facing Conflict Journalism in Lebanon

Lebanese conflict journalism faces immense challenges today, especially with the rise of citizen journalism and news groups that spread large amounts of unverified information daily. Additionally, some media outlets impose agendas on journalists that sometimes force them to report in ways that go against their will or professional and ethical standards.

Journalists on the front lines and in the field face significant psychological and physical pressures when covering armed conflicts.