Protection of Press Freedom is a must
On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO Beirut and Maharat launched the annual report on press freedom in Lebanon in a press conference that included the Lebanese Minister of Information Tarek Mitri.
The press conference took place on Wednesday 5th of May 2010 on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day that is celebrated on 3 May every year. The report highlights abuses or violence against journalists and oppression of free speech, the situation in Lebanon has noticed a slight improvement since last year, but still the overall freedom of expression is measured as 51%.
This year the report highlights more abuse and incidents of assault on journalists and many journalists were laid off with no prior notice and without receiving any benefits from their employers. The report highlights pressure being practiced against journalists in some cases, and that their sense of job security is lacking.
In the year 2007 UNESCO and Maharat (an NGO that works in media) launched the national observatory for the freedom of expression in Lebanon, and every year this observatory releases a national report on the situation in Lebanon.