One can argue that the relationship between journalism and politics is unique in that it is constantly coming and going. The politician uses the media to promote his intention, and to grab the attention of the public, yet s/he is instinctively cautious of journalists who frequently seek more information than the politician wishes. However, what happens when such careers are brought together in marriage?

In the Arab world, the outcome is quite predictable. Female journalists who marry politicians immediately become ex-journalists. The examples are numerous. After marrying Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein, the journalist Reem Al-Ibrahimi gave up her position at CNN where she had been working since 1998. She participated in the coverage of many important events such as the war in Kosovo, the war in Iraq and the bombing of the USS Cole warship in Yemen.

This trend is also apparent in the West, where Spanish TV anchor Letizia Ortiz resigned from her post within the media to marry the Spanish Crown Prince Felipe De Borbon. The country celebrated the marriage in one of Europe”s biggest royal weddings, which was attended by 1600 guests including thirty members of royal families from around the world. The difference between east and west lies in the impossibility of such an association due to the higher level of professionalism, freedom and transparency in the media of the west. The marriage between Beatrice Schonberg, news anchorwoman of France”s Channel 2 and French labour minister Jean Louis Borloo, did not compel the journalist to continue in her career. The same was the case of Christine Ockrent, a prominent media figure in French TV who married former minister of health, Bernard Kouchner. Her colleague Anne Sinclair also married a minister, Dominic Strauss and none of these journalists gave up their posts after marriage.

Such an independency for a media professional to continue with her work after marrying a politician is not easily found in the Arab world. The current Lebanese minister of social affairs Nayla Moawad was compelled to stop writing for the newspaper, ”L”Orient” after she married the late former president of Lebanon, Rene Moawad. Similarly, Rima Qarqafy resigned from her post from a Lebanese radio channel before she married the ex-parliamentarian Sulayman Franjiyah. Her life was completely transformed to adjust to her new responsibilities. Vivian Haddad Ghanem, the ex-journalist of ”L”Orient le Jour” newspaper also quit her job after marrying a parliamentarian and ex-minister Robert Ghanem and the example illustrated that the reason for this was due to the general climate of Lebanese politics. She stated, &#34I cannot be put in a situation in which I have to decide between transmitting information that is crucial to the media but will betray others. If I do not convey such information, however, I would betray my readers. In France, female journalists can continue their careers even when they marry politicians. In Lebanon, the situation is different. I found that I no longer had the freedom to write about what I believe in. Therefore, the most difficult decision of my life was to recede from the field of journalism and to join my husband”s political course.&#34

Vivien Haddad Ghanem began her career in journalism at the age of twenty. She comes from a highly politically affiliated family, her maternal uncle was political thinker Micheal Shihah and her maternal aunt was married to the late Lebanese president Bechara El-Khoury. Vivien Ghanem”s husband was the legal attorney for ”An-Nahar” and ”Orient Le Jour” newspapers. She argues that the female presence within journalism is much less than today. By virtue of her family”s involvement of politics, Ghanem was always well informed of the political scene and gained a lot of experience which she then passed on to others. She pursued her career after moving to Paris with her husband, from where she would send her articles and coordinate with ”Paris-Match” to cover the civil war in Lebanon. When her husband became a parliament deputy, however, this was the point at which she made the difficult decision of terminating her career. Ghanem seeks to make up for this by writing a book about the history of Lebanon. Currently, she is pre-occupied with another book about 100 Lebanese personalities in coordination with Dar Al Sayyad press. Concerning the decision to end her career, she said, &#34I analyzed the situation and decided that I would not humiliate my husband with opinions that may contradict his, especially as he is a representative of western Biqa” region which is very sensitive. Also, I did not want to cause myself such stress by having to withhold information. I decided that silence is golden, however I know that writing is golden too.&#34

Dalida Barood Madian, the wife of the Leftist politician Rafi Madian, who is the representative in parliament of &#34Karnat Shahwan&#34 and the son of George Hawi”s wife, left the Lebanese broadcasting channel LBC1, to marry her husband. Yet, she does regret such as decision as she said that she does not consider her resignation a sacrifice of fame. She added that she was proud of her husband”s popularity and that it was not difficult for her to leave the profession as she is still affiliated with the media tasks through her husband”s work. The only difference is that now there is no camera involved.

Madian clarified, &#34a politician needs a wife who understands public office and public work. She should know how to receive people and convey their demands. Yet, I cannot hide my happiness that the audience wants me back on TV.&#34 She indicated that she would like to return to TV but not until she fulfils her role in politics especially when her husband is so supportive.

With regards to Vivian Ghanem, we note that her time and efforts are now devoted to enrich her husband”s political career. She stressed that like her husband, she always seeks to avoid dogmatic and heated opinions. She stated, &#34I know how to balance things and deal with the fixed provisions through my sixth sense which allows me to avoid bad situations. I also avoid any opinions that may clash with my husband, and may reflect badly on him. Before the war the press was not as dogmatic and angry as today.&#34

Ghanem did not deny that she was obsessed with the press and journalism. She saw this as a way to draw her husband”s attention to matters that politicians should not neglect; however, she asserted that her husband was always aware of such matters already. She emphasized that, &#34the marriage of a journalist to a politician has positive aspects. I enjoyably read the papers daily and follow political talk shows. Therefore, as I remain aware of the entire region and the country”s affairs, I can understand the kind of information that my husband has. Frequently, I will offer an opinion in some issues not merely as a journalist but also as a human being because people sometimes express to me that which they cannot to my husband. The continuous mix with people through social work, for which I have replaced journalism, assists in my understanding of what it takes to be an effective partner to my husband.&#34