Press Unions reject new media law, call on Aoun to return it to Parliament
The Press Syndicate and Editors’ Syndicate rejected the new media law approved by Parliament, announcing plans to challenge it before the Constitutional Council and calling on President Joseph Aoun to return it to Parliament for amendment.
At a joint news conference, Press Syndicate Vice President Georges Soulage said the unions had submitted specific amendments during a parliamentary meeting ahead of Tuesday’s legislative session, including objections to imprisonment, safeguards for journalism and provisions governing the independent media authority and news websites.
Soulage said the unions were surprised that the law was passed without the agreed amendments.
Editors’ Syndicate President Joseph Kosseifi similarly denounced the legislation, particularly Article 104, warning that it could expose journalists to imprisonment and heavy fines.
The unions said their lawyers would prepare a comprehensive legal study ahead of a formal Constitutional Council challenge by a group of MPs.
