The Syrian Media Is Full of Lies!': Protester Attacks Reporter With a Shoe on Live TV

A protester attacked a Syrian TV reporter with a shoe during a live shot on Saturday, yelling "the Syrian media is full of lies" as he did so.

In a clip posted by the Middle East Media Research Institute, correspondent Shadi Helwah was reporting from the Syrian city of Aleppo and accusing other outlets of playing up the severity of conditions on the ground.

"The fabrications of the TV channels that spread civil strife have become clear, especially the incitement against Aleppo in the past three days," Helwah said according to MEMRI's translation. "Everybody knows that there are constant unsuccessful attempts to silence the opinion of the citizen -- "

The clip shows him suddenly being interrupted and attacked by a passerby with a shoe.

"The Syrian media is full of lies!" the man yells.

A crew member apparently tries to intervene, shouting "F--k you, you son of a b-tch!"

The broadcast cuts back to the studio, where an anchor apologizes for the interruption and gives his take on what transpired -- that such a display is an "example of the democracy" that many are demanding for Syria.

Via MEMRI:

Male anchor in the studio: Dear viewers, that was our Shadi Helwah, reporting from Aleppo. What we just saw is an example of the democracy that many, home and abroad, are demanding. Let's return to Shadi Helwah. Shadi?

Shadi Helwah: Osama, Osama, Osama, it's not enough that they have their own TV channels, their fabrications, and all the TV channels that incite against Syria, they had to come to us as well. No problem. They came here, and said what they said, but if the Syrian media is really full of lies, then just leave us alone, and let us broadcast what we want, and the public will judge whether we are lying or not.

Studio anchor: By the way, Shadi, a liar is always… Do you hear me? I believe that if someone is lying, you should let him go on lying, and he will lie and lie until he eventually exposes himself. This only proves how reliable the Syrian media is.

Reporters Without Borders ranks Syria among the worst countries for press freedom, including for censorship and government manipulation.