Ever since the Libyan parliament started convening in Tobruk, there has been much ado about its media performance. Some satellite channels and political personalities launched attacks on it because of the way it dealt with both local and international media, accusing it of imposing news blackouts. Previously, the council allowed the Libya First channel and then al-Arabiya to broadcast its sessions, while an official spokesperson made statements and at least gave some answers on certain events.
Ever since the Libyan parliament started convening in Tobruk, there has been much ado about its media performance. Some satellite channels and political personalities launched attacks on it because of the way it dealt with both local and international media, accusing it of imposing news blackouts. Previously, the council allowed the Libya First channel and then al-Arabiya to broadcast its sessions, while an official spokesperson made statements and at least gave some answers on certain events.
Amid the atmosphere of suspicion, the parliament has set up its own media team. Its tasks are to ensure the flow of information to the public and invite media representatives to press conferences. The aim, according to Maher al-Shaeri, director of the media team, is to counter allegations made by those attacking the parliament. Correspondents met al-Shaeri.
What is your plan to explain the parliament to the people, in response to the bitter accusations that it has distanced itself from the media?
First, the elected parliament is the sole representative of the Libyan people. It has the right to be supported and defended by the media because it is a legitimate body chosen by the Libyan people through the ballot boxes.
The parliament has its website and a Facebook page and we are seeking to resume broadcasting through the al-Wataniya Channel. By doing so, we will be able to cover all the parliament’s activities. Our goal is to communicate with local and international media, and to let the whole world know the parliament’s activities. We have no problem communicating with any media institution.
There are those who say you are implementing a pre-planned media policy on how to deal with Libyan and international media. They say you allow some media outlets to cover the parliament sessions and interview MPs, but not others. How do you respond to this?
We don’t discriminate between the different media outlets and we welcome them all. We also facilitate their mission and the mission of all journalists by easing their security procedures. Moreover, we oppose any act of violence against journalists. Those who say that they were not allowed to cover the parliament’s activities are not telling the truth. We did not prevent any journalist from doing so.
Only Libya First and al-Arabiya are broadcasting some of the parliament sessions. Do you have an explanation for this?
Media coverage is not limited to any channels. There are a number of channels broadcasting the activities of the parliament such as the two you have mentioned, as well as Sky News, Benghazi Television, Libya International, and others. We are also communicating with all channels that broadcast our press conferences and other activities. Regarding Libya First, it has its own office in the Dar al-Salam hotel, where the parliament holds its sessions. Thus it is very close to events, which is why it closely covers the parliament’s activities.
But observers say the media presence is weak and its coverage of the parliament insufficient. Who is to blame for this: the media or the parliament’s media management?
Let me mention here a very important point. Some channels have become engaged with certain ideologies and parties that attack the parliament and use libel and slander against its members. Members and employees of the parliament were labelled as traitors and other similar defaming names. I won’t say that media that favours the parliament is not doing its work properly. Targeting media outlets that support the work of the parliament is not a professional act. It is an act that aims at silencing the legitimate voice and thus we need to open the favourable channels, which were attacked by some militias, to be able to communicate with the people in a clearer manner.
How do you prepare the parliament’s press conferences?
When the parliament spokesman informs us of the need to hold a press conference, we coordinate with the different media outlets in advance. We have our own means of communicating with journalists through emails or mobile phones.
When foreign delegations arrive abruptly and they ask us to hold a press conference, things become more difficult, because most of the delegations coming to Tobruk stay for very few hours. We try to inform journalists to come and cover the press conference, even if it is difficult for them to arrive on time.
We do not exclude anybody from attending press conferences. Each media outlet has a delegate or reporter nominated for this task. We do not determine who should come and who should not. Moreover, parliamentary spokespersons do not have any role in choosing media outlets or channels that should be present.
How successful has the parliament been in explaining its work?
The parliament has succeeded in reaching out to those who believe in it. MPs have put a lot of effort into coming to Tobruk, which is considered a sacrifice for the sake of Libya given the current conditions in the country. But those who ignored the parliament and its legitimacy since the beginning are a very difficult audience.
Finally, how do you evaluate the work of the Libyan media in general?
One of the problems suffered by the Libyan media is those who own the different channels and have their own power ambitions. Some of them have political parties, and others share interests with political parties. Moreover, some of the channels that were owned by the state are now under the control of armed groups. This has had a negative effect on the nation, given the importance of the media and its impact on public opinion. I wish that we can one day see a neutral media that only cares for the Libyan nation.
