Morcos reaffirms commitment to press freedom at Marseille Forum
Minister of Information Paul Morcos reaffirmed Lebanon’s unwavering commitment to press freedom, journalist protection, and media independence during the launch of the Mediterranean Forum for Journalism in Marseille.
The event, attended by journalists from across the Mediterranean and Africa, honored Lebanese daily L’Orient-Le Jour, a recognition Morcos described as “an international tribute to Lebanon’s free press.”
In his address, Morcos highlighted the ministry’s key initiatives, including a draft media law that abolishes imprisonment for journalists and strengthens their legal protections. He also underscored efforts to counter disinformation through a new fact-checking platform and partnerships with universities and international organizations.
The Minister emphasized that despite Lebanon’s decline in global press freedom rankings amid recent conflict, the country remains a beacon of independent journalism in the region.
Morcos concluded with a call for shared responsibility in defending press freedom and combating censorship, quoting Georges Clemenceau: “Freedom of the press ceases to exist when it is not used.”
