Press court confirms closure of opposition radio

Reporters Without Borders criticised Lebanon's press court for confirming today its decision to shut down the privately-owned Murr Television (MTV), which is critical of Syria, and its affiliated radio station, Radio Mont-Liban. "We are very disturbed by this decision, which clearly aims to muzzle the opposition media," said Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Robert Ménard. "The press should not be pawns in the settling of political scores. "The authorities have also waited until the day after the French-Speaking Countries Summit ended in Beirut to announce this," he said, noting that the Summit's final statement had stressed 'the universal and indissociable nature of all civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.' Reporters Without Borders deplored the violence used by police to close the offices of MTV and Radio Mont-Liban on 5 September. The previous day, the press court had ordered the two stations to shut down under the 1996 electoral law, which bans unauthorised political propaganda during parliamentary by-elections. The election in question, which was quite heated, took place in Metn (north of Beirut) in June. Reporters Without Borders noted that this section of the electoral law was being used for the first time. MTV was also accused for having broadcast material "damaging relations with Syria and undermining the dignity" of Lebanese President Emile Lahud.