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 remove criminal penalties for defamation, blasphemy, insult and criticism of public officials, prevent pretrial detention in speech-related cases, and eliminate unnecessary barriers for establishing new media outlets.

The Administration and Justice Committee is scheduled to resume deliberations on the bill on September 16.

Lebanon’s existing cri

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