Resistance Media in Lebanon: The Case of Al Manar and Al Mayadeen

Abstract

This study focuses on a 2012 interview between Julian Assange and Sayyid Hasan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese resistance organization Hezbollah. The analysis explores how the interview platform, World Tomorrow, provided a space for Nasrallah to articulate his group's narrative regarding their resistance activities against Israeli occupation and their views on the Palestinian struggle. The conversation delves into the historical context of Hezbollah's emergence, the war in Syria, and the rationale behind the U.S. government's efforts to block Hezbollah's media network, Al Manar. This case highlights the tension between freedom of speech and state control of information, particularly when dealing with designated terrorist organizations.
The backdrop for the interview is the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the concept of a "Greater Israel" envisioned by some within Israeli governance. The success of Hezbollah's resistance tactics in forcing Israel's withdrawal from South Lebanon in 2000 and their further military resistance during the 2006 invasion solidified their image as a potent force against Israeli occupation. This stands in stark contrast to the portrayal of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization by Western powers. The analysis examines how Al Manar functions as a tool for Hezbollah's resistance efforts, specifically by countering the dominant narrative of Israeli invincibility and promoting a perspective of Palestinian liberation. The study contributes to the understanding of how media platforms can be utilized by non-state actors to challenge established narratives and garner support for their cause in a globalized media environment.