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July 15, 2025 – Lebanon –
Petra Abou Haidar, a journalist working for the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), was violently assaulted in a shocking road rage incident in the Furn El Chebbak area of Lebanon. The attack was carried out by a man and a woman riding an unlicensed motorcycle, who accused Abou Haidar of cutting them off in traffic. Following a verbal altercation, the man physically assaulted Abou Haidar by punching and kicking her, while the woman also participated by biting her. Bystanders intervened to stop the attack, after which the suspects fled the scene.
The incident was captured on video and widely circulated, sparking public outrage. Abou Haidar was taken to the hospital for treatment following the attack.
The Press Club in Lebanon firmly condemned the assault, voicing deep concern over journalists’ safety and the growing impunity for violence against media professionals. It stressed that attacking a journalist is not only a crime but a threat to press freedom and human rights. The Club urged Lebanese security forces to swiftly arrest the perpetrators and called on the judiciary to take clear and decisive legal action, warning that inaction would fuel a dangerous culture of fear and silence.
The violent nature of the assault, especially against a visibly pregnant journalist, has provoked strong condemnation from the public and civil society groups. Many are using social media platforms to express support for Abou Haidar and to demand systemic change that ensures journalists can work and live without fear of violence or intimidation.
The assault on Petra Abou Haidar highlights the urgent need for legal and institutional reforms that prioritise the safety of journalists in Lebanon and uphold the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and information.
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