In response to media slander campaigns and systematic disinformation targeting several independent media and rights organizations, the Freedom of Opinion and Expression Coalition in Lebanon held a press conference on Thursday 10th of April, at Station Beirut – Sin El Fil. The participants refuted these allegations, particularly those disseminated recently by MTV Channel through news reports and the “Sar El Waet” program.
The participants considered that these campaigns aim to distort narratives and mislead public opinion by undermining the credibility of these outlets and diminishing their role and impact on reform, accountability, and state-building efforts.
During the conference, institutions such as Daraj, Megaphone, The Legal Agenda, and The Alternative Press Syndicate announced their intention to initiate legal action against MTV, accusing it of violating all professional and ethical standards by disseminating lies and slander.
Jad Shahrour, Samir Kassir Foundation, highlighted that, at a time when Lebanon is grappling with a deep economic crisis that requires collective action, systematic attempts to distract public opinion persist through direct targeting of press freedom and distortion of the image of independent media platforms. He noted that a coordinated smear campaign had emerged within 24 hours of filing complaints, spreading identical accusations and hashtags across suspicious social media accounts. These accounts display abnormal activity, repeated profile pictures, and lack substantive personal content, echoing accusations of foreign agendas and funding from embassies or dubious organizations.
Then, Ramzi Kaiss, Human Rights Watch, emphasized that despite some positive political changes in Lebanon, influential parties continue to exploit state institutions to undermine freedom of expression, press freedom, and accountability. He criticized the use of criminal defamation laws to silence journalists and activists who expose corruption or mismanagement. Kaiss urged the Lebanese Parliament to repeal these laws and replace them with civil provisions to prevent suppressive penalties.
Also, Diana Moukalled, Daraj, defended Daraj’s journalistic integrity, noting their investigations have exposed banking violations and policies that affected over 1.5 million Lebanese depositors during the financial crisis. She stated that Daraj is ready to disclose its financial accounts for transparency, challenging other media outlets to do the same.
Diala Chehadeh, Megaphone, described as well the attacks on Megaphone as politically motivated campaigns disguised as media disputes, aimed at undermining any reform atmosphere threatening vested interests. She stated that these campaigns go beyond defamation, attempting to silence independent media.
Afterwards, Ghida Frangieh, The Legal Agenda, stressed that the coalition remains dedicated to transparency, independence, and accountability. She emphasized the coalition’s principles are backed by years of legal, media, and research efforts.
Lastly, Elsy Moufarrej, Alternative Press Syndicate, condemned the systematic targeting of independent journalists and institutions, describing it as a clear agenda to silence criticism and suppress accountability efforts.
The coalition reiterated its support for independent media and its commitment to combating disinformation campaigns threatening reform and accountability in Lebanon.
The institutions included in this coalition are:
- Human Rights Watch
- Amnesty International
- Samir Kassir Foundation
- The Legal Agenda
- Daraj
- Megaphone
- Raseef 22
- Alternative Press Syndicate
- Maharat Foundation
- Nawat Legal Initiatives
- “SMEX” Digital Freedoms Organization
- Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH)
- MENA Rights Group
- Helem
- Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE)
- ALEF – Act for Human Rights
- Media Association for Peace (MAP)
- International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
