A Lebanese
non-governmental organization promoting freedom of expression expressed fears
on Wednesday that a draft-law organizing electronic media would harm freedoms
if approved by the Government.
Maharat Foundation said
in a press release that the draft-law proposed by Information Minister Walid
al-Daouq was swiftly put on the agenda of the Cabinet that will convene on
Wednesday without consulting experts.
It also slammed the
wording used in it, saying the terminologies would cause confusion and put
restrictions on the electronic media freedoms.
As for article nine, it
calls for the implementation of the bill by decrees adopted by the Cabinet
based on the recommendation of the Information Minister, Maharat said.
“No party has the
authority to limit public freedoms except through a constitutional text issued
by Parliament,” it stressed.
Furthermore, “the
implementation of any law linked to public freedoms shouldn’t be left for the
Government particularly given the ambiguity surrounding the articles of the
bill,” the organization said.
Maharat expressed fear
that the objective behind the proposal of the draft-law is to put electronic media
under the control of the Government more than its alleged aim of organizing the
sector for the public’s good.
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