To the Government of Lebanon
· Ensure that the power to issue broadcasting licenses is in independent hands.
· Establish a broadcasting regulatory authority that is independent of the executive branch of government, and ensure that its members are protected from dismissal for arbitrary reasons and from other possible pressures that would compromise their independence.
· Empower an independent broadcasting authority to design licensing procedures and regulatory mechanisms that ensure non-discrimination in the awarding of licenses, and access to the airwaves for a diversity of information and views, including news and political opinions. This body should:
-promptly review the 1996 licensing process, with a view to correcting any favoritism or discrimination in the granting of licenses;
- publish licensing standards by which decisions in this regard will be wholly transparent; and
- invite renewed applications, and review these in a timely manner, making public the reasons for approval or denial of applications, including the reversal or ratification of previous licensing decisions.
· In the interim, permit all currently licensed, and all unlicensed but currently operating, radio and television stations to broadcast news and political programming, and to broadcast news programs at whatever daily length that they deem appropriate.
· Amend the 1994 broadcasting law and the 1996 broadcasting decree to eliminate sweeping content restrictions, including prohibitions on live broadcasts of certain religious events and unauthorized political gatherings; "commentary seeking to affect directly or indirectly the well-being of the nation's economy and finances;" "propagandistic and promotional" news and political programs; and material that "promotes a relationship with the Zionist enemy." In addition, the government should eliminate vaguely worded content restrictions, such as the prohibition on "incit[ing] sectarian or religious chauvinism" and the requirement of"preservation of the supreme national interest," which invite public authorities to stifle free expression in the name of the law.
· Permit private radio broadcasting on the AM band, unless there are compelling reasons, consistent with international standards and made public, to limit broadcasts to state-run radio.
To the European Union
· Raise Lebanon's compliance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in negotiations between the European Commission and the government of Lebanon concerning the EU-Lebanon Association Agreement.
· In bilateral and multilateral meetings with Lebanese government officials, discuss the issues and recommendations raised in this report, and emphasize the importance of independent regulation of private radio and television broadcasters in order to ensure freedom of expression.
· In bilateral and multilateral meetings with Lebanese government officials, urge the lifting of the ban on the broadcasting of news and political programs that applies to all unlicensed radio and television stations, and to some licensed radio stations, and other content restrictions in violation of Lebanon's treaty obligations as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
To the Clinton Administration
· In bilateral meetings with Lebanese government officials, discuss the issues and recommendations raised in this report, and emphasize the importance of independent regulation of private radio and television broadcasters in order to ensure freedom of expression.
· In bilateral meetings with Lebanese government officials, urge the lifting of restrictions and bans on the broadcasting of news and political programs, and other content restrictions in violation of Lebanon's treaty obligations as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
To Lebanon's International Donors, including the U.S. and Multilateral Lending Institutions
· Convey to the Lebanese government donor support for a process of media regulation that is consistent with international human rights standards regarding freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds.
· The World Bank, other international financial bodies, and private companies investing in Lebanon should call for equitable and transparent licensing of the private broadcast media, with decision making power to be in the hands of independent regulators in order to ensure the dissemination of a diversity of information and ideas. The Lebanese government should be made aware that these are essential elements of good governance.