Lebanon PM says media is key to nation's peace after conflict
DUBAI: Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has emphasized the pivotal role of the media in shaping a new era of peace and prosperity for Lebanon.
'We are at a historical juncture in our country, especially when it comes to media. We want a living Arab media that creates the future and doesn't linger on the past,' Salam said during his address on Tuesday at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai.
Since Lebanon's ceasefire agreement with Israel in November, the country has been racing to rebuild — physically, socially, and politically.
'We are back — back to our state and back to our Arab identity,' Salam declared, concluding his speech and receiving emphatic applause from the audience.
He credited the UAE and GCC for their support in Lebanon's recovery, noting the significance of Emirati citizens returning to visit the country.
'I want to thank the GCC, and especially the UAE and its leaders such as His Highness President Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, who kept their promise and allowed our Emirati brothers to travel to Lebanon,' he said.
Highlighting the media's power in shaping public discourse, Salam acknowledged both its potential for progress and its risk of harm.
'Seventy-five percent of the world's population has a smartphone; 67 percent are connected to the internet, and 57 percent receive news through social media,' he said.
'Media is becoming a tool for misinformation and the spread of distorted context.'
In a country marked by decades of political and sectarian divides, Salam stressed the importance of media neutrality in his nation.
'We don't want the media to be loyal to us. We want it to be professional, neutral, and a shared space for understanding,' he stated.
Despite progress, Salam warned that Lebanon's path forward remains complex, but harnessing the influence of the media was a critical tool for improving conditions in Lebanon, and maintaining sovereignty.
'We still have commitments,' he said, referring to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. 'We continue to face occupation of our land and ongoing violations from Israel.'
He reassured, however, that while the media can be a 'maker of peace and war,' Lebanon would prioritize a neutral media outlet — free from sectarian ties — that upholds truth for the well-being of all Lebanese citizens.
'I speak to you not only as a prime minister, but as Lebanese citizen, I have lived through the pain and hope, and I also believe that when words are honest and true, they can be a bridge to building humanity between communities.'
'Lebanon is making its comeback from its crises, based on the principle of reform and sovereignty. Our vision for Lebanon is not just imagined, it is a project.
'We want a state of decision and a country that is enshrined in its Arab identity and to become a bridge from the east to the west,' he said.
'We are back, we are back to our state and back to our Arab identity,' he said.
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