Journalist Joe Maalouf confirmed on his official twitter account that Jaras Scoop FM will be shutting down on Saturday, November 29, due to the economic struggling condition Lebanon is suffering.
This decision also comes amid a crisis in the Journalism field across the world, and in Lebanon to be specific. Due to the increase in the usage of digital media, many traditional media platforms have been closing down; As-Safir newspaper and Future TV to name a few.
The journalism field in Lebanon has been suffering for years from a financial crisis because of the decrease in sponsorship and advertisements, as well as external ownerships that impose certain media misinformation and blackouts. The recent situations in Lebanon only made things worse.
After 10 years of playing most recent Lebanese and Arab songs, and airing Madlen and Marie-Joe morning and afternoon shows during traffic time, Jaras Scoop FM, which is owned by the same media company as MTV Lebanon, decided to close its doors and let go of their employees to be left to an uncertain fate.
Joe Maalouf wrote in a Twitter thread: “Tomorrow, the nation will be without Jaras Scoop FM, without the voice that did not only confine in art itself but has also overpassed that to be free and independent enough to serve the nation.”
٢/١ غداً الوطن بلا جرس سكوب. بلا ذاك الصوت الذي لم يقتصر يوماً على الفن وحده بلا تعداه ليكون حراً مستقلاً في خدمة الناس والحرية فكرّسنا المواطن مراسل ووضعنا حقوقه ومطالبه وكرامته فوق كل اعتبار. @jarasscoop
— joemaalouf جو معلوف (@joemaalouftv) November 29, 2019
“We were always dependant on citizens to be the ones reporting the news and we put their rights, demands, and dignity above everything else.”
Maalouf continued the announcement in a second tweet, saying: “Tomorrow we say goodbye to our listeners and we let go of our staff. Our hearts cry for them and for ten years of independent struggle in serving the nation.”
٢/٢ غدا نودع المستمعين ونصرف العاملين فتدمع قلوبنا حسرة عليهم وعلى عشر سنوات من النضال المستقل في خدمة الوطن. نحن لسنا بخير ولكن الحلم ما زال أمام أعيننا. على أمل أن نعيد البلد افضل مما كان حتى تتسنى لنا العودة اذا مش هلّق يوماً ما. ايه… في امل @jarasscoop
— joemaalouf جو معلوف (@joemaalouftv) November 29, 2019
He ended his statement by quoting songs of Julia Boutros and Fairouz: “We are not okay but the dream is still in front of our eyes. In hopes that we turn our country better than before so can return, if not today, someday. Yes… there is hope.”
Many expressed their sadness to the closing down of a beloved radio channel in Lebanon, with some hoping that it will just be a small break amid the chaos.
@joemaalouftv the echo of jarasscoop will always be tuned in our memory! It was a daily beautiful companion for so many , it was the voice! hopefully it’s a pausing phase. best of luck to all, hope that Lebanon will rise above all and bring you back!
— Allure (@allureici) November 29, 2019
A Twitter user said in a tweet: “The echo of JarasScoop will always be tuned in our memory! It was a daily beautiful companion for so many; it was the voice! hopefully, it’s a pausing phase. Best of luck to all, hope that Lebanon will rise above all and bring you back!”
Others expressed disbelief but also an understanding of the circumstances the radio channel has went through. With so many restaurants and small businesses shutting down, Lebanese people are expecting the worst.
هالفترة الأخيرة مش لحتى نقول وداعا…هالفترة لحتى نقول إلى اللقاء.
من كل أسرة الإذاعة لكل المستمعين والمتابعين، كتير حب❤. pic.twitter.com/bJOveGQynE— Jaras Scoop FM (@jarasscoop) November 29, 2019
Jaras Scoop FM wrote in a tweet: “For now, we are not saying goodbye; we are saying in hopes we meet again. From the radio channel family to all the listeners and followers, we love you.”
