Lebanon: New media law is a step forward, but further reforms are needed

On 11 August, the Lebanese Parliament adopted a long-awaited new media law, marking an important milestone in strengthening media freedom and protecting journalists in the country. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Union of Journalists in Lebanon (UJL), in welcoming the adoption of the legislation. However, the IFJ emphasises the need to amend provisions that still hold journalists criminally liable for the 'deliberate dissemination of false information'.

Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri heads a parliamentary session at the headquarters in Beirut in March 2026. Credit: Fadel Itani / AFP

The country's new media law was adopted following a legislative process that lasted almost 16 years. Replacing the previous press law, it expands the legal framework to cover both traditional and digital media. This represents a step towards updating media legislation and strengthening journalists' rights and professional freedoms.

The new law includes several significant advances in media freedom and journalist protection, such as stronger safeguards for journalists and their sources, the elimination of pre-trial detention for journalists and the removal of custodial sentences for publishing-related offences. It also guarantees the freedom to establish media organisations, incorporates electronic media into the legal framework and establishes a National Media Authority with administrative independence and responsibilities relating to the regulation of the media sector. The updated legislation also strengthens transparency regarding media ownership and financing.

Criminalising 'false news' under a vague provision

Article 104(b) of the law has nevertheless sparked controversy, because it criminalises the publication of 'false news' through the use of a vague provision. Despite repeated calls from media freedom organisations, including the UJL, the article was ultimately included. The ambiguous definition of 'false news' poses a risk to journalists and could be used to restrict freedom of expression and limit independent journalism arbitrarily. The IFJ is calling for this false news provision to be amended, due to its imprecise language and the prison sentences and fines it imposes for 'deliberately fabricating misleading information and publishing false and harmful news'. This could result in journalists facing criminal prosecution for their professional work or for expressing their opinions.

UJL President Elsy Mufarrej said: "After 16 years of legislative work, the adoption of the new media law is an important and long-awaited achievement, given the significant gains it contains in terms of protecting journalists and strengthening media freedom. However, this does not mean that the reform process is over. We will continue to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to amend provisions inconsistent with the law's reformist spirit, such as the criminalisation of publishing false news. This legislation should safeguard press freedom, rather than serve as a tool to restrict it."

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "While we welcome the adoption of the new media law and praise the UJL's efforts during the legislative process, we are concerned about the ambiguous definition of 'false news'. We fear it could be used by those in power to restrict media freedom and silence independent journalism. Therefore, we call on the Lebanese authorities to continue their dialogue with the UJL and other organisations, in order to complete the reform process and ensure that the law wholly protects and strengthens press freedom."