Rights groups urge Lebanon to protect freedom of expression in new media law

BEIRUT: 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 urged on Tuesday. This includes decriminalizing defamation, blasphemy, insult and criticism of public officials; prohibiting pretrial detention in speech-related violations; and removing onerous restrictions on the establishment of media outlets. The calls come as the parliament’s Administration and Justice Committee is set to resume its discussion of the draft law on Tuesday. On Aug.

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