Lebanon, the plight of Catholic Media
Report by Marie-Therese Kreidy
The year 2020 has been a challenging year in all aspects in the small Mediterranean country of Lebanon. Home to 18 different religious communities and sects, Lebanon has been considered a model of coexistence and pluralism, and the country which was supposed to be celebrating its 100 years’ centennial, is facing its worse economic and humanitarian crisis threatening its existence and unique identity.
The culmination of catastrophes was the Beirut Port explosion on the 4th of August 2020, in what was estimated to be one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosions in history, leaving more than 200 dead, 6500+ wounded and 300,000+ homeless. The explosion hit most of the Christian neighborhoods, where historical churches, hospitals, schools and many other industries and homes were destroyed.
The media industry in the surroundings was hit, and according to reports by the Lebanese army and the relief foundations, in addition to a report “ Mapping the Damage on the Media Sector”[1], Tele Lumiere-Noursat Christian Network, was one of “Extremely Damaged “ media outlets.
The channel has been working on developing its studios for years in the Mar Michael (St Michael) region near the port of Beirut, and the blast destroyed 10 studios where a dozen of the prime-time programs were filmed and broadcasted live on air on a daily basis. The damages ranging between structural, material, equipment and decoration, were estimated to be more than 2 Million USD according to Jacques El Kallassi, the General Manager of Tele Lumiere, based on a detailed report estimating the damages.[2]
The offices and production sections in the nearby Dora region were also damaged, miraculously none of the employees was severely wounded.
In urgent response to the catastrophe, the already struggling network, remarkably shifted its programs to one of the smallest “primitive “studios in Dora region, and focused mainly on using its air time to create a humanitarian relief chain by connecting the affected persons to the NGOs and associations and families willing to help them in the time of crisis. From August 4th till October 4th 2020, the channel dedicated its air time to the victims, the wounded, the homeless and all the affected people of Beirut. Hours of broadcast included live coverage from the affected area, where masses and prayers, religious concerts were held, reporters of the channel were following stories of the victims trying to provide some help, covering relief efforts and humanitarian situation.
The catholic media proved its mission in the time of crisis: to be the voice of the voiceless, to surpass its wounds and look forward to serve and fulfill its goals.
Although the future doesn’t seem so promising especially for the Christians struggling in the Middle East, after more than 2 months, according to General Manager Jacques El Kallassi, “Tele Lumiere is still suffering from the destruction, in its offices and its studios, currently renting material and filming outdoors to continue the production of programs, and is launching an appeal for help in programs, equipment or financial support.”
The goals are set higher, the presence of this Catholic Network is the only light in the darkness of this ongoing crisis, knowing that the most important role to play now is to sow peace, hope and faith, amidst the disaster and the plight.
[1] https://www.skeyesmedia.org/en/News/Reports/12-08-2020/8774
[2] Official Report issued by the channel