The Parliament building located at Najmeh Square in Beirut. (Credit: Phlipe Hage Boutros/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Discussions about a new media law, currently under review by several committees, were held during a session of the media and communications committee in Parliament. Ibrahim al-Moussawi, a Hezbollah MP and chairman of this session, advocated for "responsible freedom," explaining that the objective of the bill was to "guarantee a modern new media law" that would ensure press freedom and independence from "sectarianism and influence," while calling "to pay attention to national control procedures that honor freedom, but responsible freedom." For now, the bill is not finalized, and comments from the Information Minister and the Lebanese Press Syndicate are still awaited.
Present at this session were Information Minister Paul Morcos, MP members of the committee, the president of the Lebanese Press Syndicate, Aouni al-Kaaki, and the president of the Order of Editors Joseph Kosseifi, and the president of the National Audiovisual Council Abdelhadi Mahfouz, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA)
Freedom of expression in Lebanon was also at the center of the discussions.
"Lebanon has been, is, and will remain ... a country of freedom, freedom of opinion and expression ... of responsible freedom," said Moussawi during his opening speech. A lengthy discussion about recent media missteps followed, arousing "the ire" of many officials, including the information minister, according to NNA.
The information minister specifically denounced the fact that "some" had communicated with "the Israeli enemy."
"This speech cannot come from any Lebanese, any patriot, and it is not acceptable at this level," he stated. The Hezbollah MP expressed the importance of a clear position from the judiciary.
"The judiciary is required to fully assume its responsibilities to ensure our country a media discourse that does not increase tensions," he added.
The telecommunications minister, Charles Hage, who was supposed to be present, ultimately did not participate in the session, according to NNA. Regretting his absence, Moussawi warned against any hasty decision in this sensitive area.
