Group assaults news crew covering aftermath of Israeli strike targeting Hezbollah commander

Location: Lebanon, Beirut
Date: July 30, 2024

Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the violent attack on MTV Lebanon journalist Nawal Berry and her colleague, cameraman Dany Tanios while covering the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The journalists were on the ground visiting the site of the targeted strike against a Hezbollah commander when they were attacked by a group of men who assaulted them after seeing their channel’s logo. We demand that Lebanese police ensure that those responsible for this heinous attack are held accountable and call on authorities to put strong measures in place to prevent future attacks.

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On the evening of July 30, 2024, MTV Lebanon reporter Nawal Berry and camera operator Dany Tanios were brutally assaulted while reporting live from Beirut’s southern suburbs, Dahiyeh. The journalists were covering reactions to an Israeli strike that targeted a Hezbollah military leader in the area.

As tensions ran high among the local population after the Israeli assassination strike, Berry and Tanios attempted to relocate to a nearby street to continue their coverage when they were confronted by a group of about five men. 

Tanios described the attack to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). "I was beaten and kicked by about four men, and one of them broke our camera, with the mic and the material on it." He added that he suffered injuries to his head and back as a result of the assault.

Berry shared footage on Instagram showing one of the assailants destroying their camera. MTV Lebanon also published a video of the attack, highlighting the physical aggression against its staff and accusing Hezbollah supporters of orchestrating the attack.

The southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, widely regarded as a Hezbollah stronghold, has a history of tensions with media outlets perceived as critical of the group. MTV Lebanon, a privately owned channel by businessman Michel El Murr, is known for its anti-Hezbollah stance. 

In response to the assault, Tanios stated that his lawyer would be filing a lawsuit against the perpetrators. 

It has been ten months since the Israel-Gaza war broke out and attacks on journalists have continued unabated. As tension between Israel and Lebanon rises, journalists covering the tit-for-tat shelling are facing escalating dangers. Tragically, Al Mayadeen correspondent Farah Omar was killed by an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon in November 2023. At least two other women journalists have been seriously injured while covering the conflict in the country. Since October 7, 2023, the war has claimed the lives of at least 113 press workers and 21 women journalists in Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon.

The attack on Nawal Berry and Dany Tanios highlights the dangerous conditions journalists face, especially in areas dominated by powerful political and military groups like Hezbollah; Targeting journalists to silence critical voices is a serious assault on the right to free speech. Women Press Freedom strongly condemns this attack and calls on Lebanese authorities to ensure the safety of journalists operating within its borders. We urge a thorough investigation into this incident and demand accountability. The right to report freely and safely is fundamental to a democratic society, and such violent intimidation tactics cannot be tolerated.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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