The NBN television broadcaster who made the unthinkable comments was identified as Sawsan Safa Darwish (pictured right), was sued as was the TV station. Sports and Youth Minister Ahmed Fatfat filed a lawsuit against Darwish and all others involved in "stirring sectarian hatred and interfering in crime."
In the incriminating video, Darwish implied that Fatfat would be assassinated next, and that 4-5 of the March 14 parliamentary majority also needed to be killed. She then said "they're driving us crazy," apparently referring to other anti-Syrian politicians. "Ahmed Fatfat is left. I'm counting them," she added.
NBN TV later said it "regretted the unintentional mistake" which it said did not reflect the station's policies or moral and professional standards. In an attempt to cover up the incident, Qassem Soueid, the director of NBN's news department, said Darwish and the sound engineer who put Darwish on air were fired. The move by NBN wreaks of a coverup, and a poor attempt to wash its hands clean.
Firing Darwish does not solve the systemic problem. Listen closely to the video, and it is clear that Darwish's sick perspective was not an isolated incident. Other voices in the room clearly condoned her barrage of insults on the dead. NBN should be held responsible as an employer that fosters such complete disregard for ethics. Provocations like those instigated by Darwish could very easily push Lebanon into a civil war unless they are nipped in the bud and made an example of. |