Lebanese journalism on the rack

A belief in freedom of speech has led many good journalists to adopt as their maxim what French philosopher Voltaire once supposedly said: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” In fact it is accepted today to be one of history’s many misattributions, but the sentiment remains a valid one. In Lebanon, the need to fight for freedom of speech is more important than ever. The country has long had a reputation for the freest media in the Middle East. This is perhaps not the highest bar in a region where journalists are often brutally suppressed and attacked, but it is something that has helped the country develop into the most open and progressive Arab society. In recent years this freedom of expression has been threatened as successive governments have failed to properly enforce Article 13 of the constitution