New Law and Attacks on Journalists Cause Concern for Free Expression in Libya
The passage in Libya of new legislation restricting free speech, as well as recent attacks on journalists, raises concerns about the potential for backsliding in a country that made one of the biggest jumps in press freedom in the 32-year history of Freedom House’s annual survey Freedom of the Press.
Law 37, passed by Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC), criminalizes praise of former leader Mu’ammar al-Qadhafi, his ideas and or his sons, where such exclamations are seen to “weaken public morale” and “harm the state.” This comes in stark contrast to Libya’s marked improvement in press freedom over the past year which resulted in part from the lifting of restrictive laws. Freedom House calls on the NTC to repeal the legislation and to investigate recent attacks on media in an attempt to provide a more open environment for media.
“Law 37 and other legislation that restricts free speech and religious freedom are fundamentally at odds with Libya’s efforts to establish a representative democracy,” said Courtney Radsch, senior program manager for the global freedom of expression campaign at Freedom House.
Moreover, some journalists have come under attack as they attempt to cover demonstrations and the electoral process. Last week journalists from television station Al-Asima were attacked while covering demonstrations at a voter registration center. In another incident, journalist Huda Alghitani and her team were attacked and prevented from filming inside the Agricultural Bank.
“What the media needs in Libya are strong and unambiguous protections for freedom of speech and expression in order to consolidate the gains made over the past year,” Radsch said. “The current Libyan government and the one that will be elected in June must enact legislation that protects freedom of speech and access to information and ensure that all attacks on journalists are thoroughly investigated and brought to justice.”
Libya is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2012, and Partly Free in Freedom of the Press 2012. An independent press did not exist under al-Qadhafi, and state-owned media operated as mouthpieces of his regime. Since the start of the Libyan revolution in February 2011, there has been an outburst of independent, voluntary media. However, many outlets lack experience and skills to report professionally and objectively, and this is further hampered by the lack of information and clarity provided by the country’s governing forces.
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