This report is based in part on information collected by Houeida Saad, an attorney and consultant to Human Rights Watch/Middle East, who conducted a fact-finding mission in Lebanon from October 31 - November 16, 1996. Ms. Saad interviewed shareholders and managers of radio and television stations, members of the National Council for Video and Audio Media, lawyers, journalists, current and former members of parliament, other Lebanese public figures, and Beirut-based diplomats.
Virginia N. Sherry, associate director of Human Rights Watch/Middle East, contributed additional research and authored the report. The report was edited by Eric Goldstein, acting executive director of Human Rights Watch/Middle East, Michael McClintock, deputy program director of Human Rights Watch, and Dinah PoKempner, acting general counsel of Human Rights Watch. Awali Samara, associate at Human Rights Watch/Middle East, provided skillful and efficient research assistance.
Human Rights Watch is grateful to Henry Geller, former general counsel of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (1964-70) and assistant secretary of commerce for communications (1978-81), and Franz Allina, a lawyer, former private broadcaster and member of the executive committee of the nongovernmental, New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, who reviewed and commented on drafts of this report.
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Human Rights Watch/Middle East
Human Rights Watch is a nongovernmental organization established in 1978 to monitor and promote the observance of internationally recognized human rights in Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and among the signatories of the Helsinki accords. It is supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations worldwide. It accepts no government funds, directly or indirectly. The staff includes Kenneth Roth, executive director; Michele Alexander, development director; Cynthia Brown, program director; Barbara Guglielmo, finance and administration director; Robert Kimzey, publications director; Jeri Laber, special advisor; Lotte Leicht, Brussels office director; Susan Osnos, communications director; Jemera Rone, counsel; Wilder Tayler, general counsel; and Joanna Weschler, United Nations representative. Robert L. Bernstein is the chair of the board and Adrian W. DeWind is vice chair. Its Middle East division was established in 1989 to monitor and promote the observance of internationally recognized human rights in the Middle East and North Africa. Eric Goldstein is the acting executive director; Joe Stork is the advocacy director; Virginia N. Sherry is associate director; Fatemeh Ziai is counsel; Elahé Hicks is a consultant; Gamal Abouali is the Orville Schell fellow; Shira Robinson and Awali Samara are associates. Gary Sick is the chair of the advisory committee and Lisa Anderson and Bruce Rabb are vice chairs.
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