Bill... For Influencers and Bloggers

Lebanese Minister of Media Paul Moussa stated that there was no "proper lobbying" regarding the new media law, and that the minister's role is more moral than substantive, saying: "I held several meetings ahead of the session, and we are working with certain parliamentary blocs to provide what is legally necessary, and we will reintroduce the amendments in the next legislative session."

Moussa, speaking on MFM, noted that "there are cases where individuals pretend to be journalists and engage in extortion, and I have received several complaints from citizens about this. Additionally, some exploit the protections granted to journalists to damage the reputation of professional reporters. The new media law clearly defines the term 'journalist,' and work is underway on a separate bill specifically addressing influencers and bloggers."

He added: "The National Media Council is the regulatory body overseeing the media sector. The law includes provisions against hate speech, establishes the council and its powers to monitor media without interfering in editorial policies, and mandates that any rulings against media professionals be issued by competent courts." He continued: "We have advanced to 115th place globally in this term, having previously ranked 140th in media, and this law will further improve Lebanon's ranking."