It seems 'Uncle Pat Robertson' was suspected of collaborating with the Southern Lebanon Army (SLA), a group of Israeli sponsored killers. They controlled Southern Lebanon, were behind the Sabra massacres, and the infamous Khiam Prison.

CBN Staffer to go on Trial in Beirut Wednesday
By Patrick Goodenough
CNS Jerusalem Bureau Chief
27 July, 1999
 

Jerusalem (CNS) - Unless the American government officially informs the Lebanese authorities that a Christian television station in the south of the country is American-owned, a 20-year-old staffer could face up to seven years' imprisonment when he stands trial Wednesday for "collaborating" with Lebanon's enemies.

Lebanese military prosecutors charge that Middle East Television is owned and controlled by the South Lebanon Army (SLA), an Israeli-allied Christian Maronite militia operating in the Israeli-controlled "security zone."

METV is in fact solely owned by Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), and denies the SLA has any influence over its programming.

It broadcasts mostly American religious and family programs from Marjayoun, the largest town in the buffer zone, while its news bulletins tend to be sympathetic to the Christian population of south Lebanon.
 

Station manager Wes Hylton, an American, told CNSNews.com Tuesday he had been in touch with the State Department in Washington, and was told the matter was being taken up through the embassy in Beirut.

But as far as he was aware, the trial of video operator Paul Younis was scheduled to go ahead in a Beirut military court tomorrow.

 

SLA Head Gen LaHad

A military tribunal document accuses Younis, and 15 other named members of the station's staff, of having "contacts with the collaborators with the Israeli enemy through working for media establishments which belong to [the SLA]."