Lebanese influencer Ghina Ghandour arrested for criticizing MTV Lebanon

Lebanon influencer, Ghina Ghandour, was arrested following legal actions related to her criticism of MTV Lebanon's perceived bias in favor of the Israeli Occupation regime.

Ghandour was apprehended after she refused to delete posts on X (formerly Twitter) that condemned the television station's reporting during a period of increased Israeli Occupation aggression against Lebanon.

On December 11, Ghandour expressed her disdain for MTV Lebanon, calling it "a master manipulator of minds [that] has made sowing discord and sectarianism its mission." She accused the station of suppressing dissent and stifling free speech, stating, "By silencing dissent and stifling opposing views, it has found a new pastime in gagging free speech." Ghandour added that she felt "honored to be targeted by such a morally bankrupt organization," remarking, "Thank you for this badge of honor."

القناة التي اتخذت تهكير العقول مهنة لها
و بث الفتن والطائفية شعارا لها
و قمع الراي الاخر هدفا لها
وكم الافواه هواية جديدة ترفع من مكانتها في عالم الانحطاط
تزيدني شرفا اليوم بمقاضاتها لي
شكرا على هل وسام يلي منحتوني ياه

ملاحظه: مره الجاي خليون يبلغوني بكير كرمال الاضاءه تكون… pic.twitter.com/UuIb6AhwZm

— ghina ghandour (@ghina_ghandour) December 11, 2024

MTV Lebanon has faced significant backlash from various activists who accuse it of supporting the Israeli Occupation regime while opposing Hezbollah, the group that has defended Lebanon against decades of Israeli Occupation aggression. 

Critics have pointed to instances of MTV Lebanon's bias in its coverage, particularly in its reporting on Hezbollah. For example, on July 30, MTV reporter Nawal Berry and camera operator Dany Tanios were allegedly attacked while covering reactions to an Israeli Occupation strike that targeted a senior Hezbollah official in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh. The following day, MTV Lebanon published a post accusing Hezbollah supporters of being responsible for the attack, claiming the channel had a “problem” with them due to their inability to tolerate opposing views and their propensity for violence.

In September, MTV Lebanon reported that the Israeli Occupation regime had struck an alleged Hezbollah-affiliated financial institution, leading to claims that Hezbollah would be in a “financial crisis.” However, a senior Hezbollah official later dismissed this assertion, stating, “Hezbollah does not receive its allocations from this institution.”

Ghandour announced her release from detention on Monday night, posting on X, "Salutations to the independent Lebanese judiciary, which has spoken decisively. We operate under the rule of law, and I thank God that we still have a fair judiciary that protects freedom of opinion and expression, treating everyone equally. In the end, only the truth prevails. I extend my gratitude to all who stood by us and supported us, enabling us to emerge with our heads held high. Our commitment was not a challenge but a steadfast belief in the freedom of opinion and expression."

تحية للقضاء اللبناني المستقل لي قال كلمته و نحنا تحت سقف القانون و الحمدالله مازال عنا قضاء نزيه بصون حرية الرأي و التعبير و ما بفرق بين حدا و بالنهاية ما بصح إلا الصحيح و بشكر كل من وقف حدنا و دعمنا و طلعنا مرفوعين الرأس و ما تعهدنا بشي مش تحدي بس إيماناً بحرية الرأي و التعبير…

— ghina ghandour (@ghina_ghandour) December 16, 2024