Summary
Activists voiced optimism Friday that 2019 could finally be the year that Lebanon's antiquated media laws get a much-needed update, with a senior parliamentarian committing to making reforms. MP George Adwan, who chairs Parliament's Administration and Justice Committee, promised to make efforts to pass a new media law this year.
Mikhail said that the primary aim of the draft law is to decriminalize cases involving freedom of expression.
The principal regulations concerning Lebanon's media are the 1962 Press Law and the 1994 Audiovisual Law, both of which are considered outdated and in need of reform.
Jad Shahrour, communications officer at media watchdog the Samir Kassir Foundation, was doubtful that reforms discussed during the seminar would result in any meaningful change. He said he was skeptical that the political establishment would pass a law that might make it easier to submit them to scrutiny.
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