Dangerous journalism: Jordanian Member of Parliament uses firearms during a talk show on air
By Iqbal Tamimi
Journalism is getting more
dangerous than ever in the Middle East, with recurrent incidents of physical
attacks between guests live on air, including hitting with shoes, biting,
kicking, abusive wordings, furniture and now fire arms.
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The latest confrontation has been
circulated online and on social media networks including Facebook, where
Jordanian Parliament Member Mohammad Shawabkeh, physically and verbally
assaulted ex-Member of Parliament, Mansour Saif Eddean Murad, hitting him with
his shoe, swearing at him and in the end pulled his pistol, threatening to kill
him live on air.
The live fight and exchange of
accusations happened 10:20 pm Jordan local time at the Jordanian Television
Channel JoSat, during a political debate about the Jordanian parliament.
The episode was dedicated to
talking about some controversies at the House of Representatives. During the
live discussion, the guests exchanged accusations. MP Mohammad Shawabkeh got
angry, took his shoe off and tried to hit the other guest of the show who
happened to be an ex MP from the opposition, then aimed at him with his pistol
to shoot him. The host of the show was in the middle between them trying to
calm them down and doing his best to persuade them to go back to their seats.
After the melee on the air, the
show was cut amid a state of chaos. You can watch the fight here
