Thread by @LunaSafwan

1/ Journalists are under incredible pressure since the #Beirut_Explosion - we are trying our best to be as calm as possible, as contained as possible in the middle of a crisis that is eating us inside out, not to mention the economic crisis & #Covid19 & our fear for our families.

2/ This is to talk about local Lebanese Journos specifically because reporting from home about home makes it very hard to isolate yourself or even reason with yourself mentally. That being said, the last thing we need is people harassing us in the street. #Lebanon

3/ Few days ago I was working on a story for @cnni - when I proceeded to interview a local resident of the Mar Mekhayel area #Beirut, she verbally attacked me and called me out saying that 'This channel spreads lies' - I was trying to cover her side of the story. #Lebanon

4/ It so happened that I was in a calm state of mind, so all that I did was smile and tell her "I'm sorry you feel that way Madame, and I'm sorry for doing my job and approaching you." Residents then approached me and apologized saying she is an FPM supporter.

5/ In my head, it did not matter if she is an FPM or LF or Amal or Hezbollah supporter, I am doing my work on the ground, I am a freelance contributor, I am fighting to get #Lebanon's stories out there for the world to read. I did not need this insult. But I remained calm.

6/ Now remaining calm was my way and my calm mood helped, had I been more exhausted or mad or more intense, I might have reacted differently. Because after 10 days on the ground, covering death and smelling blood and funerals & victims' stories, we journos do have limits.

7/This happened with @MTVLebanonNews 's reporter yesterday, she was also being called names by these women in the car, accused of spreading false news. @BasileZena & cornered. After spending hours in the sun, Zena was ready to go live, so she slammed the door in the woman's face.

8/ We can argue for hours about ethics and how we should or are expected to react as journos. We can criticize a journalist, BUT what is not permitted is twisting the story & launching a harassment and bullying campaign against a woman journo in the middle of this chaos.

9/ Zena did not slam the door because the woman is a wearing a Hijab. She did that bcz the woman would not stop shouting, Zena had a live message to deliver, had been in the sun for hours. Now there's an online campaign encouraging people to attack @MTVLebanonNews 's reporters.

10/ Now journalists & online users who are known to harass and bully others, are advocating for violence again certain Tv stations (Local and international) and are accusing Zena of being an Islamophobe. This is a new low for Freedom of press in #Lebanon.

11/ We live in #Lebanon, we are Lebanese and we are subject to threats as journalists, as activists,bcz many of us oppose all current political parties. We have the right to defend ourselves. And we do not necessarily represent all the views of the media we are reporting for.