Lebanese journalist Ghassan Tueni dead at 86

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 13 years ago

BEIRUT -- Ghassan Tueni, a Lebanese journalist and politician who headed one of the Arab world's leading newspapers, An-Nahar, has died. He was 86.

Tueni's family and newspaper said he died early Friday at the American University of Beirut hospital, where he spent his last weeks.

Tueni took over the newspaper founded by his father, serving as An-Nahar's editor-in-chief and publisher from 1948-1999, resuming his post in 2003, according to a AUB biography.

He served several terms in parliament and as head of several ministries. He was Lebanon's ambassador to the U.N. between 1977 and 1982 at the height of the Lebanese civil war.

His son, Gebran Tueni, also a journalist, was killed by a car bomb in Beirut in 2005.

Tueni is survived by his wife, Shadia el-Khazen, and four granddaughters.

Dive Deeper

Belarus journalist Maryna Zolatava freed after four years

December 14, 2025: Belarusian journalist Maryna Zolatava was released after spending more than four years in detention, along with 123 other political prisoners, highlighting the ongoing struggles for press freedom under Lukashenko.

Tunisia protests revive press freedom concerns

December 14, 2025: Protests in Tunisia on December 13 spotlight jailed journalists and politicians, renewing international concerns over legal and administrative pressure on independent media.

Pope warns Italian intelligence against smearing journalists

December 13, 2025: Pope Francis warns Italian intelligence to avoid smearing journalists and respect confidentiality, amid concerns over spyware, leaks, and surveillance targeting reporters and rights defenders.

Trial of Meydan TV journalists opens in Baku

December 13, 2025: Trial proceedings against Meydan TV journalists have opened in Baku, raising concerns among press freedom groups about pressure on independent and foreign-funded media outlets.

Italy media leaders weigh sale of Gedi assets amid newsroom unrest

December 12, 2025: Gedi’s talks to sell key Italian editorial assets to Greece’s Antenna Group spark newsroom strikes and government scrutiny over media pluralism, foreign ownership, and editorial independence.

Lawmakers decry lack of accountability for attack on journalists

December 12, 2025: U.S. lawmakers and rights groups at the Capitol rally for accountability after a deadly 2023 attack on journalists in Lebanon, citing closed probes and no formal investigations into press deaths and injuries.

Independent Media challenges funding rules in South Africa

December 11, 2025: Independent Media in South Africa has appealed funding eligibility rules tied to press-council oversight, raising wider questions about platform grants and regulatory compliance in global media.

Journalist deaths rise sharply in 2025, Gaza leads toll

December 09, 2025: The 2025 report from Reporters Without Borders records 67 journalists killed worldwide, nearly half in Gaza, highlighting escalating risks for reporters in war zones, crime-ridden regions, and authoritarian states.

Newsroom

Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release

December 15, 2025 International rights groups mark the anniversary of Pham Doan Trang’s sentence, renewing calls for her release and highlighting ongoing risks to press freedom and independent reporting in Vietnam.

Rights groups condemn Asia press crackdowns

December 15, 2025 Press freedom groups condemn December crackdowns across Asia, warning governments against using security and regulatory laws to curb journalism and urging stronger legal protections.

Bangladesh police detain senior journalist after critical reports

December 15, 2025 Bangladesh police detained a senior journalist in Dhaka for questioning after critical reporting, prompting renewed concerns from press groups over media freedom and legal intimidation.

Hong Kong court convicts Jimmy Lai of sedition and collusion

December 15, 2025 Hong Kong’s High Court convicts media tycoon Jimmy Lai of sedition and collusion under the national security law, intensifying concerns over press freedom and judicial independence in the city.

Pakistan’s ad ban on Dawn sparks media freedom concerns

December 14, 2025 Dawn Media Group says Pakistan has imposed an unannounced ban on government advertising, drawing condemnation from media bodies over press freedom and independent journalism.