On February 9, 2012, former MP Nasser Kandil implicitly threatened several journalists, in an interview with Syrian TV channel Al-Dounia. Kandil mentioned the names of Al-Arabiya host Najwa Kassem, and Al-Jazeera journalist Hassan Jammoul. "They should know there is a country they could never visit again", Kandil said. "How do you think you would go back to Beirut"? Kandil asked Kassem. He also called for the establishment of a "media crimes court", claiming that there were "hired killers among journalists who should take responsibility for the bloodshed in Syria".

"What Kandil said could be analyzed in various ways and raises doubts over my personal safety. Even if he did not mean to threaten me, he used words that could cost me dearly. The public opinion is deeply divided in Lebanon and several TV channels, such as Al-Dounia, have been publishing insulting and defamatory reports against me for the past 11 months. This Lebanese politician threatened me live on a Syrian channel that has many supporters.

His words were very provocative and some people could come after me. I hold Kandil responsible for my safety and that of my family in Lebanon", Kassem said in an interview with the SKeyes Center.

The SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom strongly condemns threats against journalists, especially those uttered by former MP Nasser Kandil. SKeyes calls on judicial authorities to take immediate action to protect threatened journalists. SKeyes also reminds all concerned parties of the need to respect the freedom of expression and the free flow of information.