The best method of resistance is saying the truth in
the face of a dictator. – Arabic Proverb
Middle East & North Africa
Lebanon
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| IREX Score: 2.14 | [IREX Methodology] |
| {Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00} |
IREX Description:
Lebanon's media sector, like much of the nation, remains something of a paradox. At once more free than any other in the Arab world, producing work to a higher standard than most, and engaging its audience thoroughly in the contest of ideas, the media is also a slave to its own dynamism. Its power to sway public opinion is used and abused by the politicians whose money has fueled its vibrancy and diversity.
Scores under Objective 2, professional journalism, Objective 3, plurality of news, and Objective 4, business management, more or less held steady, reflecting the continuing open and accessible nature of Lebanon's media and continued political patronage that support media operations. panelists were quick to point out that if any of Lebanon's relatively cash-rich media were to lose the finances of political patrons, they would find themselves unable to generate enough revenue through advertising and sales alone.
| Freedom House Score: 53 (Partly Free) | [Freedom House Methodology] |
| {Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100} |
| RSF Score: 20.50 | [RSF Methodology] |
| {Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120} |
Reporters Without Borders Description:
Since the assassination of former prime minister Rafic Hariri on 14 February 2005 and the withdrawal of Syrian forces in March 2005, divisions have deepened within Lebanese society. Political life has polarised around supporters of the 8 March movement (Hezbollah) and supporters of General Aoun on one side and the 14 March movement (ant-Syrian) on the other.
| Committee to Protect Journalists Description: | [What is the Committee to Protect Journalists?] |
Top Developments
• Tensions rise, media polarized as U.N. special tribunal closes in on indictments.
• Technology bill includes several provisions that could restrict press freedom.
Key Statistic
0: Arrests made in the murders of two journalists and a bomb attack against a third journalist in 2005.
Political tensions grew sharply in late year as the U.N.-sponsored Special Tribunal for Lebanon drew closer to issuing indictments in the 2005 assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. In November, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) aired a documentary--based on what it described as tribunal sources and documents--that said investigators had uncovered evidence against members of Hezbollah, the Shiite paramilitary and political group with ties to Iran and Syria. The potential for indictments against Hezbollah members raised fears of sectarian violence and the collapse of a coalition government in which Hezbollah held a strong minority bloc. In November, the tribunal revised its rules on staging trials in absentia, apparently reflecting concerns that it may be unable to secure the arrests of the named suspects.
Visit CPJ’s Site for Recent Developments in this Country
| IFEX News: | [What is IFEX?] |
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