Genuine freedom of expression does exist in Lebanese media, but in reality the sector is controlled by a handful of individuals directly affiliated with political parties or belonging to local dynasties. The most influential TV channels are LBCI, Al Jadeed and MTV, owned, respectively, by the Daher-Saad, Khayat and Murr families. Al Manar is Hezbollah’s official TV channel.

Despite a solid eco-system of independent online media created before or after the 2019 protests, political parties have a stranglehold on the mainstream media, which depend on investors and reflect the Lebanese political structure. The media reflect the country’s political and community divisions, such as the religious oversight that weighs on the media.

The law requires the media to be transparent about their ownership and financing. However, some outlets have established especially opaque ownership structures. Furthermore, defamation, slander and the dissemination of false information are criminalised by the penal code, which defines these violations broadly. The justice system is often manipulated in order to fine media outlets or even impose prison sentences in absentia.

The media are suffering from the effects of the historic financial crisis afflicting the country. The Beirut port explosion in August 2020 forced them to make enormous budget cuts, affecting both their activities and their employee headcount. Many Beirut-based journalists and news media that were affected by the explosion have depended on international aid to recover and to cope with the crisis. Fuel shortages and blackouts prevent them from reporting in the field.

Public opinion is predominantly conservative, and some topics remain taboo, even forbidden, such as criticism of the country’s cultural and religious heritage. In 2023, several political parties threatened to pass laws penalising journalists who cover issues related to feminism or the LGBT community. Journalists and media outlets covering the plight of Syrian refugees in the country are often harassed and accused of serving western interests. Political activists, especially Hezbollah loyalists, participate in intimidation campaigns and use X (the former Twitter) to threaten journalists. 

Three journalists were killed in Israeli border bombings in 2023, and several others were seriously injured. Before 7 October, 2023 had been marked by the resurgence of the practice of police summoning journalists for questioning because of their coverage of the economic crisis or the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Since these two events, attacks and legal proceedings against the media have further intensified. Crimes against journalists usually go unpunished.