The Egyptian artist Amr Diab is set to hold a concert tonight in the capital, Beirut. Media reports indicate that ticket prices for the event have reached high figures, and despite this, the concert is expected to attract 15,000 attendees. The organizing company confirmed that all tickets have sold out and that the concert will be secured by the Lebanese army in cooperation with security forces. A significant local and Arab attendance is anticipated for Diab's first concert in Beirut after 12 years since his last event in Lebanon.
The company, which has requested attendees to wear white attire, spoke of fireworks and hundreds of screens accompanying the concert, as well as an official presence that will include a special acknowledgment for Diab and Syrian singer George Wassouf from the Lebanese Minister of Tourism, Walid Nassar.
Moreover, the Internal Security Forces announced exceptional measures for the concert, stating in a statement that they closed all diversions along the coastal road leading to the event venue since morning and cut off traffic near the "Yacht Club" area in Ras Beirut. They requested that citizens take note and comply with the directives of the assigned security personnel to facilitate traffic flow and prevent congestion.
**A Controversial Commitment for Journalists**
Journalists attending the concert were required to sign a commitment to adhere to the rules and conditions of Amr Diab's concert, including a ban on filming any clips or video parts throughout the evening, and not to express or write any article or post that could harm the value of the event or the artist's image. Consequently, the organizing company reserves the right to delete any published or circulated articles or statements on social media if violated. This condition has angered some journalists, prompting them to boycott the event.
**Photographers' Union Rejects These Practices**
The Union of Photographic Journalists stated that "this method of dealing with photographers and journalists represents a precedent in Lebanon's history, as we have not witnessed similar treatment at any political, economic, cultural, social, or artistic event." They underscored that this commitment undermines the principle of freedom of opinion and expression guaranteed by the Lebanese constitution, and hinders the media's mission and the ability of photographers and journalists to engage with a significant event designed to project a positive image of Lebanon's recovery after various crises.
In their statement, they emphasized, "While the company has the right to establish organizational frameworks for the event as it sees fit, we assert that any logistical organization should not impose prior conditions on the media, which is most keen on national interest and excels in broadcasting Lebanon's positive image worldwide. Therefore, we firmly reject these unlawful practices, which are contrary to the media work charters guaranteed in national and international protocols, and we condemn this ongoing illegal treatment of photographers and journalists."
