False Verdict

Journalism has evolved over the centuries from manuscripts to journals, and from columns; editorials; op-eds; editorial cartoons and punditry, to blogs and bulletins (journalistic genres that are opinion-based).

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, journalism, is the collection, preparation, and distribution of news and related commentary and feature materials through such print and electronic media as newspapers, magazines, books, blogs, webcasts, podcasts, social networking and social media sites, and e-mail as well as through radio, motion pictures, and television.

The word journalism was originally applied to the reportage of current events in printed form, specifically newspapers, but with the advent of radio, television, and the Internet in the 20th century the use of the term broadened to include all printed and electronic communication dealing with current affairs.

In the 21st century, tweets can be a form of journalism, such as live reporting, and have their own unique value, as do their express messages and opinions.

"Judge Rosine Hujaili" should have evolved with the times from an analogue mind-set into a digital one, to grasp the context of the case put forth before her by Bassil’s lawyer Majed Boueiz, who in turn should have realized that Dima’s tweets are opinion journalism, in which, she described the Free Patriotic Movement’s (FPM) actions as “racist” and “Nazi-like” as a matter of opinion, in light of the beating of two young men from the Sunni-majority city of Tripoli by FPM supporters in the predominantly Christian district of Keserwan, where, one of the men was forced to say “Aoun is his God and the God of Tripoli,” in reference to former President Michel Aoun, who was the head of the FPM before passing the torch to his son-in-law Bassil in 2015.

Thoughts and viewpoints aren’t a crime; acts are!

Food for thought!