The Alliance for Freedom of Opinion and Expression in Lebanon considered, in a statement, that the approval of the media law after more than 16 years of legislative work constitutes a fundamental and long-awaited reform step.
The coalition said in the statement: “After more than 16 years of legislative work, the Alliance for Freedom of Opinion and Expression in Lebanon considers the adoption of the media law a fundamental and long-awaited reform step, with the important gains it contains in terms of protecting media freedom, enhancing the independence of the National Media Authority, transparency, protecting journalists and their sources, and the freedom to establish media institutions.”
He added: “At the same time, the coalition regrets maintaining Paragraph (b) of Article 104 relating to the criminalization of spreading fake news, despite repeated calls for its abolition, due to the dangers it poses as a result of the ambiguity of the concept of ‘fake news’ and the possibility of using it to restrict freedom of expression.”
The coalition stressed: “The coalition will continue to work with representatives and forces concerned with freedom of expression in order to amend Paragraph (b) of Article 104 and decriminalize the spread of fake news, in a way that restores harmony between the provisions of the law and its reform essence.”
He continued: “While awaiting the entry into force of the law, the Alliance for Freedom of Opinion and Expression in Lebanon stresses the importance of interpreting and implementing its provisions based on the essence of the reform on which the law was based from the beginning, and from the will of the legislator and the compelling reasons that established the transition from criminalization and penal penalties to civil liability in publishing cases.”
He added: “From this standpoint, any ambiguity or exception in the text must be interpreted narrowly, in a way that preserves this reform approach, and is consistent with the Lebanese Constitution and Lebanon’s international obligations to protect freedom of expression.”
The statement concluded: “After 16 years, the media law was passed. Today the responsibility begins to protect its gains, ensure its implementation in its reformist spirit, and continue working to address the gaps that remain in it.”
The statement was signed by the Union of Male and Female Journalists in Lebanon, the Maharat Foundation, the Samir Kassir Foundation, the SMEX Organization, the Legal Agenda, Raseef 22, the Cedar Center for Legal Studies, the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADI), the Lebanese Center for Human Rights, and Wasla Wazel.
