Microphone Thugs… The Ugly Face of Media Chaos
In one of the most embarrassing moments of chaos at this year’s book fair, the Ministry of Justice booth turned into a scene of shouting and pushing, after a correspondent from the "Ashkayen" website attacked the "Express TV" newspaper team during a calm interview that journalist Najiba Jalal was conducting with artist Senaa Akroud.
The attack was direct, loud, and without any professional justification. The young man invaded the filming space, began shouting and hurling insults, and aggressively addressed the editor-in-chief of "Express TV," saying, "If you want an exclusive statement, host her in your newspaper’s studio." The incident was witnessed by those present and shocked everyone.
This incident cannot be treated as an isolated event. What happened reflects a growing trend of professional decline within certain journalistic circles, where professional ethics are absent and replaced by the logic of bullying and loudness. With every silence from the concerned authorities, such behaviors recur and become entrenched.
In her remarks about the incident, Najiba Jalal, the editor-in-chief of "Express TV," confirmed that what the team experienced was a direct result of previous incitement campaigns launched by Hamid Al-Mahdawi against her and the institution she manages. She questioned: Has "Express TV" presence in coverage become a nuisance for some? Are certain parties beginning to view the team as targets rather than colleagues in the profession?
The incident raises fundamental questions about the state of journalism. Who is responsible for regulating the behavior of correspondents? Where are the roles of editors who are supposed to guide journalists and defend professional standards? Why is the union absent in such situations, despite the severity of what occurred?
The attack that took place within the Ministry of Justice booth is not related to media competition or professional disputes. It is a direct assault and conduct that has no connection to journalism. Journalism is not practiced through shouting, it is not managed through extortion, and it cannot be seized by aggressive actions in public spaces.
Despite all this, "Express TV" does not intend to respond with shouting or withdrawal. On the contrary, the institution emphasizes that its response will be in the field, through further coverage, adherence to professional standards, and exposing such behaviors that tarnish the media as a whole.
What occurred at the fair should not be overlooked. It is a genuine warning about the level of tension and lawlessness threatening the profession. If unions and institutions do not intervene to curb these practices, journalism will pay the price, not only in its image but also in its ability to perform its role.
