The Islamic Broadcasting and Television Union denounces the Israeli occupation forces' targeting of the Lebanese capital, Beirut, which led to the martyrdom of the media professional Mr. Mohammad Sherri, Director of Political Programs at Al-Manar TV, and his esteemed wife, at a moment when the targeting of the free word is intensifying, and the Israeli aggression persists in its attempts to silence the media voice, to constitute a new witness to the magnitude of the risks threatening those working in the media field, and to the heavy price paid for the sake of conveying the truth.
The Secretary-General of the Islamic Broadcasting and Television Union and all the radio and television channels and member institutions therein, and the colleagues working in the General Secretariat of the Union and its affiliated centers and institutions, extend their highest expressions of condolences to the Director-General of Al-Manar TV, Haj Ibrahim Farhat, and all the media colleagues working there, on the martyrdom of the media colleague Haj Mohammad Sherri and his wife.
What happened is not a passing incident, but rather a blatant assault on the media mission and a clear violation of international laws, including: the Fourth Geneva Convention for the protection of civilians and journalists during armed conflicts, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles on freedom of expression, and international covenants that guarantee the protection of journalists and the free press in every time and place.
The Union appeals to the relevant United Nations institutions and civil society organizations to condemn this attack, and to take immediate action to ensure the protection of media professionals, hold those responsible for targeting them accountable, and provide safe conditions to perform their professional mission.
In the face of this reality, the responsibility placed upon the shoulders of the media family is doubled, to confirm the adherence to the constants of the profession, and to continue performing the mission with all courage and credibility, far from intimidation and pressures. Also, solidarity between media institutions today is considered a fundamental pillar in facing these challenges, and a safeguard for freedom of expression.
The Islamic Broadcasting and Television Union, while offering condolences to all media colleagues and the families of the two martyrs in this loss, asks God Almighty to bestow upon us all patience, solace, and steadfastness, and to cover the two martyrs with His mercy and pleasure and house them in His spacious heavens.
The blood of the martyrs among the media professionals will remain a beacon guiding the path, and a motivation to continue carrying the trust of the word, no matter how the challenges intensify.
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