Beirut: In a recent media alert, the Maharat Foundation emphasized the critical juncture Lebanon faces in reforming its media sector. After more than sixteen years of legislative discussions and consultations, the Draft Media Law, aimed at modernizing the country's media legislation, is closer than ever to adoption. However, a recent amendment to paragraph (B) of Article 104 threatens to derail its progress.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the proposed law is considered one of the most significant reforms in decades. It seeks to modernize the legal framework by replacing criminal sanctions with civil liability for publication-related offenses, enhancing journalist protection, promoting media ownership transparency, reinforcing media pluralism, and establishing a more independent regulatory framework. Nonetheless, the amendment reintroduces criminal liability for those who "intentionally fabricate misleading information and publish false and malicious news," which could result in imprisonment and fines.
The Maharat Foundation warned that this provision contradicts the reform's philosophy, which aims to remove publication-related disputes from the criminal realm. Roula Mikhael, Executive Director of Maharat Foundation, underscored the importance of not letting this opportunity slip away. She emphasized that protecting information integrity should rely on transparency, independent journalism, media literacy, and regulation, rather than imprisoning journalists.
The Foundation's media alert, supported by insights from international media policy expert Marius Dragomir, highlights that Lebanon risks becoming a negative example by reintroducing "false news" offenses, contrary to global trends. Dragomir pointed out that over the past two decades, many states have repealed such offenses, positioning Lebanon as an outlier if the amendment proceeds.
Maharat Foundation sent a clear message to Members of Parliament ahead of the next plenary session. They urged that the shift from criminal sanctions to civil liability should be preserved, aligning with international human rights standards and European practices that emphasize platform accountability, transparency, and independent journalism over criminal penalties. Removing or revising Article 104(B) is crucial to maintaining the reform's integrity without delaying legislative progress.