A number of Libyan civil society organizations and associations called on the Government of National Unity (GNU) to cancel a decision regarding audio-visual media. They described it as “dangerous to the diversity and plurality of the media scene in Libya. As well as threatening the integrity of any upcoming electoral process,” according to a statement signed by nine organizations.
The statement published by the Libyan Center for Freedom of the Press stated that on 15 September, the GNU issued Resolution No. 811 of 2022 related to the conditions and controls for conducting media activity. The statement claimed these conditions “violate media freedom.” These include “requiring the approval of the security authorities or the approval of the Libyan intelligence service, which allows the security and military authorities to interfere in the regulation of audio-visual media.”
The statement added that the decision “increases the seriousness of the matter and the lack of independence of the committee responsible for issuing permissions to conduct media activity.”
Media activity is supervised by the Department of Media and Government Communication of the cabinet. In addition, there are security services inside it, as it is headed by a former security officer, and two representatives from the Ministry of Interior and Libyan Intelligence.
It continued that “permission to engage in media activity is granted by the committee regulating the work of private audio-visual channels, which was established in March 2022 by Government Resolution No. 151 of 2022. The license will be granted after the media organization fulfills a set of conditions that determine the legal status of the institution that produces audio content. Visually, licenses must be obtained from the Ministry of the Interior, the Intelligence Services, or the Tax Administration, and pay the required fees.”
The NGO’s explained that “Resolution No. 811 required audio-visual institutions to pay high fees ranging between $20,000 and $30,000 for video channels, and between $7,000 and $10,000 for radio channels. These constitute unfair conditions, especially since the channels are obliged to pay between $4,000 and $20,000 dollars annually to renew their licenses.”
The statement considered that these conditions “threaten the sustainability of media institutions, which may find themselves unable to continue their activities if they do not meet the approval of the security services or the intelligence services, or their inability to pay such high fees.”
It stressed that it was “legitimate to regulate the audio-visual communications sector, to ensure the plurality and diversity of the media scene and the transparency of media ownership.” It also stressed that the government “should not end up controlling the media sector, especially since the success of any electoral entitlement requires protecting media institutions from political strife and any threats of closure.”
Organizations and associations called on the GNU to “withdraw its decision, and to hold open and transparent consultations with media institutions, civil society organizations, and experts to issue a decision that respects media freedom, independence, pluralism, and permanence.”