In a country that is struggling in political, economic, and existential issues, and amidst the sterility of the first, second, and third authority, only one way remains to achieve justice and help it find its way: the fourth authority, the press. One of the controversial people and justice advocates is Ghada Eid, the Host of the TV show Al-Fasad (the corruption) on New TV, a program that has been on for 3 years now and tackled many delicate issues. In an exclusive interview with iloubnan.info Ghada Eid reveals many things, starting from the beginning of her career to the issues covered by “Al-Fasad”.

iloubnan.info : What was your field of study?
Ghada Eid : I graduated from the Lebanese University in 1986, with a BA in journalism, and pursued my Masters in the same field later. I have worked in many media outlets. And I have always been interested in People’s issues as well as in legal issues.

Where was your real debut?
My real debut was at Nida’ al Watan (The call of the country), I was in charge of the report section and it was entitled “Nida’ el nass” (The people’s call).

Where do you stand politically?
I do not belong to any political party. I maintain my freedom of opinion and that is why I have been able to discuss any issue and be totally boundless in my career.

Yet we have witnessed you in a recent speech after the events of Zahle, you were not considered as so objective. Why is that?
It was an emotional speech; my cousin was an innocent victim. He was the head of the Kataeb office in Zahle and he was assassinated because of his political views. He is a martyr who died for what he believed in, and I have no doubt concerning that. I believe that the Kataeb protected Lebanon at a certain point in History. I also believe that the Kataeb is a resistance. I was brought up in a Kataeb environment, my family belonged to the Kataeb, and I maintain a good relation with this party, yet I never met President Amine Gemayel. However, as I said, I set myself apart from political entities and remain independent and free.

What has changed in Al-Fasad program since its first broadcast till now?
Structure wise nothing has really changed. The Program is still maintaining a single policy: audacity. What is changing is the subjects and the fact that more people are interacting with us and reacting to our themes.

Does New TV interfere when it comes to choosing your topics?
Not at all, I choose my own topics and any case that is worth working on is immediately prepared and broadcasted.

In your opinion, what makes Al-Fasad different from the other programs?
Al-Fasad is closer to the public then others; it tackles the issues quite simply. It compares people’s issues on one hand, and the corruption and the fraud deals occurring in the government on the other hand. The program can be considered as an indirect or direct revolution. This is achieved through the live testimonials and the verified legal documents that cannot be refuted. This has created a style for the show that has set it apart from others.

How do you reply to the accusations claiming that Al-fasad tackles issues in favor of the 8th of March?
This is absolutely not true. If there is anything that is not in favor of the 8th of March, it is being handled and broadcasted. There have been many examples of episodes that were against Ministers belonging to the 8th of March.

Can you point out some examples?
The episode of the ministries of Agriculture, the centre of research and development, the delegation of reconstruction of the South; in some episodes both the 14th and the 8th of March were accused.

Have you been threatened because of any of your episodes?
Yes, many times. But this is really silly and it doesn’t really scare me.

What is the message that you try to deliver to people through your job?
I tell people that they should not think that tyrants are strong. They rely on our surrender, fears and weaknesses. We should be stronger than them. And this can be achieved when we cease our belonging to any political party. Furthermore, we should not forgive our leaders; even if we love a certain leader we should question him and hold him responsible for his actions. The country is above anyone. I also hope that the leaders could be more sensitive to people’s issues.
And here I would like to say, for the first time through a media medium, that we are planning to launch the National anti-corruption Association that aims at pushing the public opinion towards essential demands. Our first goal will be the decrease of the mobile bill costs. We have already prepared a petition in Al-Fasad program. However, we are waiting for the parliament to re-open, in order to deliver it to the government. We will be recruiting new members soon. However, we are still waiting for the government to be established in order to launch this association.

Will your organization be taking any political role ?
We might support new candidates later, because we do encourage new political figures to run for elections.

What do you promise the audience of Al-Fasad TV show?
I promise that I will remain truthful and honest in my field, and I urge anyone who has a certain issue with the government or the legal institutions to come forth to us and I will be ready to help him in any possible means.