Getting Accurate Information During Conflict

Much of the information on television is propaganda or psy-ops.

Hezbollah uses it's media network, just like it's telephone network, for militant purposes. They feel little interest in uncovering the truth. Instead, they announce entirely inaccurate and false information to destroy the morale of their opponents.

Hezbollah also prevents other media outlets from reporting from areas they control, like al-Arabiya, which they have not only imprisoned, but banned from cable providers in their areas.

Future News is not on the air, and other channels seem more interested in broadcasting stupid speeches from third-rate Syrian era politicians than in reporting on the battles, the needs of the people, or providing specific information on which roads are opened/closed.

Much of the information being published comes from word-of-mouth accounts strung together, but not necessarily accurate. I know about my part of Hamra, and was chatting with others throughout the conflict to find out what was happening in the blocks around me, and in areas further afield. However, there are few ways to double-check the accuracy of the reports, particularly given that many accounts are emotion filled.

In the North and Chouf, entire villages took part in conflicts, thus increasing the eyes on the scene able to provide accurate accounts of what happened. The battles took place over a wider area, but there were fewer buildings, and especially fewer tall buildings, than in the crowded neighborhoods of Beirut.

Hopefully, we will get a few accurate reports with specifics. Every day, more information is coming in adding to details about what happened in Beirut and reframing it.