Mohammed Nabbous
Mohammed Nabbous محمد النبوس | |
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File:MohammadNabbous.jpg Mohammed Nabbous broadcasting Libya Alhurra TV live from Benghazi on February 19, 2011 | |
Personal details | |
Born | ![]() | 27 February 1983
Died | 19 March 2011 Benghazi, Libya | (aged 28)
Occupation | Journalist, Founder: Libya Alhurra TV |
Mohammed "Mo" Nabbous (27 February 1983 – 19 March 2011) was a Libyan blogger and civilian journalist in Benghazi, Libya. In the wake of the February 2011 uprising in Libya, he founded Libya Alhurra TV, the first private television station established in territory controlled by the National Transitional Council.[1]
Background
NPR social media strategist Andy Carvin called Mo "the face of Libyan citizen journalism;" Mo was the primary contact of many international media outlets looking for information regarding the situation in Libya.[2] Nabbous was also the founder of the independent internet tv station in Libya: Libya Alhurra TV, broadcasting on Livestream.com.[3]
Nabbous' online news station, Libya Alhurra TV, was the only broadcast coming out of Benghazi when Muammar Gaddafi shut down internet lines when the February 2011 uprising began.[4] As the free voice for a Libyan population under seige, Der Spiegel reporter Clemens Höges called Nabbous "the man who just might be the most important person in the revolution."[4]
Work with Libya Alhurra TV
On February 19, 2011, in the first live broadcast from war-torn Benghazi after the Libyan revolution began, Nabbous declared, "I am not afraid to die, I am afraid to lose the battle."[5]
Over the last few days and hours of his life, Nabbous continued reporting via video and providing commentary regarding the bombing of the Benghazi power station and fuel tank explosion on March 17, Gaddafi forces firing missiles on Benghazi from near-by city Sultan on March 18, the destruction and civilian attacks by Gaddafi forces in the morning of March 19, and the death of the youngest Gaddafi victims: 4 months-old and 5 year-old children killed, while sleeping in their bedroom by a missile in the morning of March 19..
Death
Nabbous is believed to be killed by forces loyal to Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in Benghazi while reporting on false claims of a cease-fire made by the Gaddafi regime in response to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.[3][6]
"He touched the hearts of many with his bravery and indomitable spirit. He will be dearly missed and leaves behind his young wife and unborn child", said Sharon Lynch, TV station representative.[7]
Nabbous was allegedly shot in the head by snipers soon after exposing the Gaddafi regime's false reports related to the cease-fire declaration. Nabbous was in critical condition until he died around 3 p.m. CET. Nabbous' wife announced his death in a video on Libya Alhurra TV.[8][9]
Legacy
"I want to let know all of you know that Mohammed died for this cause and let's hope that Libya will become free," Nabbous' wife said through tears. "Thank you everyone. And let's not stop doing what we are doing until this is over. What he has started has got to go on, no matter what happens," she added. "I need everyone to just do as much as they can for this cause. Please keep the channel going and move every authority you have. They are still bombing, they are still shooting and more people are going to die. Don't let what Mo started go for nothing, people, make it worth it," she urged everyone assisting the network and the Libya cause.[9]
Nabbous was perceived as the face of the Libyan revolution and was one of the first people to be interviewed by western journalists soon after Benghazi was liberated by Libyan opposition forces. According to the Gaurdian, Nabbous was described as the "face of citizen journalism" in Libya.[3] "I am not afraid to die, I am afraid to lose the battle!"[5] was one of Nabbous' early declarations on February 19, 2011 following the establishment of the channel. "That's why I want the media to see what's going on."[5] He is survived by his wife, Perdita, their unborn child and his sister Hana.[7]
References
- ^ "Libya Live Blog - March 19 | Al Jazeera Blogs". Blogs.aljazeera.net. 2003-03-19. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
- ^ http://twitter.com/#!/acarvin/status/49124094091870208
- ^ a b c Wells, Matt (2010-08-23). "Mohammad Nabbous, face of citizen journalism in Libya, is killed | World news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
- ^ a b "A Courthouse in Benghazi: The Nerve Center of the Libyan Revolution - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International". Spiegel.de. 2011-03-04. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
- ^ a b c "Message From Libya] Tell The World What Is Happening To Us!!!!!". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
- ^ "Libya: Mohammed "Mo" Al Nabbous, founder of Benghazi webcast "Libya Alhurra TV," killed in firefight". Boing Boing. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
- ^ a b "Reporter shot dead by Gaddafi forces".
- ^ "Libya Alhurra - live streaming video powered by Livestream". Livestream.com. 2011-02-26. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
- ^ a b "Live Show Sat Mar 19 2011 03:15:19 PM on Libya Alhurra - live streaming video powered by Livestream". Livestream.com. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
External links
- Libya Alhurra TV official Libya Alhurra TV Livestream