New Lebanese information minister floats fresh media freedom restrictions

New Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi reiterated on Monday his desire to restrict press freedoms, saying the media cannot “assault the dignity of politicians.”

During his meeting with a delegation from the Lebanese Press Editor’s Syndicate, Kordahi and head of the syndicate Joseph Al-Qusaifi continued the media law discussions that have been continued for years without a conclusion that satisfies all parties.

Kordahi pointed out that “there is much complaint from the vast majority of the Lebanese population about the media’s slip ups.”

He added: “I will study and prepare a media code of conduct with our colleagues, aimed at respecting the dignity, freedoms and merits of others, in addition to studying other laws found in parliamentary committees.

“We are heading towards a new future, so let us establish systems and rules for the Lebanese media in the long term.”

This is not the first time that Kordahi had made suggestions to restrict media freedoms in Lebanon.

On his first day as Lebanon’s new information minister, Kordahi slapped an informal gagging order on the media, asking them not to host analysts critical of the new government.

Kordahi justified his first action as an attempt to spread optimism, saying that he did not “prevent,” but rather that he hoped the media would “refrain” from hosting guests who are critical of the new government.