CPJ, Partners Call on Lebanese Parliament to Ensure Media Law Protects Press Freedom - Committee to Protect Journalists

Rights groups urge Lebanon to protect free speech in proposed media law

As Lebanon’s Parliament approaches a crucial juncture in drafting a new media law, 14 Lebanese and international rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, called on legislators Tuesday to ensure it protects freedom of expression. While the law initially offered opportunities to strengthen protections for journalists and media outlets, recent proposed amendments risk undermining these rights. Organizations argued that the draft should r…

Lebanon urged to ensure media law allows freedom of expression

Amnesty International on Tuesday said that Lebanon’s parliament must ensure that its new draft media law which is currently being considered must allow for the freedom of expression. Both Lebanese and international organisations joined in the calls for the parliament to ensure laws do not result in the targeting and silencing of critics, activists or journalists. The parliament’s Administration and Justice Committee resumed its discussion on the…

CPJ, partners call on Lebanese Parliament to ensure media law protects press freedom - Committee to Protect Journalists

CPJ joined 13 local and international organizations in urging the Lebanese Parliament to ensure the draft media law under consideration upholds free expression. The draft law, submitted to the parliamentary committee in May 2025, included significant advancements in protecting free expression in Lebanon, including abolishing pretrial detention and prison sentences for all speech-related violations. It also repealed criminal defamation and insult…

Lebanon: Ensure draft media law upholds free expression

Recently proposed amendments would restrict rights Lebanon’s parliament should ensure that a draft media law it is considering upholds the right to freedom of expression, 14 Lebanese and international rights organizations, including Amnesty International, said today.  This includes decriminalizing defamation, blasphemy, insult, and criticism of public officials; prohibiting pretrial detention in speech-related violations; and removing onerous re…

Lebanon: Ensure Draft Media Law Upholds Free Expression

Lebanon’s parliament should ensure that a draft media law it is considering upholds the right to freedom of expression.