The Lebanese Press Editors Union convened an extraordinary meeting following President Joseph Aoun's signing of the media law. The meeting thoroughly discussed the implications of the law, deliberating on the circumstances surrounding its issuance, its signing, and strategies to address the inherent contradictions and significant gaps that remain unamended despite prior assurances.
In response, the Union expressed its disappointment over the signing of the law, despite appeals by the Lebanese Press Federation, which includes both the Journalists and Editors Unions, to return the bill to Parliament. The law's potential threat to press and media freedoms and the unity of Lebanon's journalistic body prompted these appeals.
Previously, the Council had highlighted and called for amendments to the harmful clauses before their parliamentary approval, demonstrating how they undermine press freedoms through (Article 104) and threaten the unity of the journalistic community by fostering divisive unions (Articles 74 and Introduction H of Article 115). Furthermore, the law categorizes any media violation as a crime throughout its text.
Despite these continuous developments, the Union remains hopeful about the credibility of the promised amendments, supported by parliamentary blocs from various spectrums and endorsed by the Minister of Information in several statements, the latest being this morning outside the Republican Palace. The Editors Union affirmed its stance against the current form of the law, pledging to persist in their opposition until the agreed-upon amendments are enacted.
Moreover, the Lebanese Press Editors Union declared full and uncompromising solidarity with the Journalists Union, emphasizing complete coordination within the Lebanese Press Federation to protect media freedoms and unity.
The Union's council has kept its meetings ongoing to monitor developments closely and act accordingly.