22nd November 2018
By Tom Law

Self-regulation in Libyan media

The EJN Director, Chris Elliott, was one of a group of experts on media regulation and self-regulation to contribute to a roundtable organized by the Libyan Centre for Freedom of Press with the support of International Media Support (IMS).

The two-day event will gather the directors of the Libyan public media (television, radio and press agency) in an effort to shed light on the importance of public, independent information, as the country prepares for general elections next year and a new constitution which foresees a media council. It also aims at formulating and gathering support for a national vision for reforming the media sector in Libya.

Read the EJN’s summary of the event here. 


Libyan Center for Freedom of Press

The structural and legal reform of the media sector in Libya

Seminar

9 and 10 February 2019

Objectives of the seminar:

Venue: Carthage Thalasso Resort, Gammarth, Tunisia

Objectives of the seminar:
– To share and build knowledge about media policy and regulatory frameworks that protect
freedom of expression and media freedoms
– To build support among public media and their leadership for a reformed media legal
framework in Libya, which will be outlined and promoted in a declaration for media
independence

9 February 2019

09:00 – 09:30: Opening

  • Opening remarks by Mohammed Najem, LCFP Executive Manager
  • Opening remarks by Virginie Jouan, Sub-regional Head, Maghreb, International Media Support
  • Opening remarks by Saloua Ghazouani Oueslati, Director of Article 19’s Tunisia Office
  • Opening remarks by Hassan Elhuni, Media Consultant of the Libyan Prime Minister

09:30 – 10:45: The Libyan Context: The impact of political divisions and armed conflicts on the independence of media: Introduction and facilitation by Ibrahim Ehadia, General Manager of the Libyan News Agency, Eastern Libya

11:00 – 12:30: Challenges and restrictions on the media and the information sector in Libya: Introduction and facilitation by Mohammed Alasfer, Chairman of the Academic Institute for Media

13:15 – 14:30: Multiple previous local attempts to organize the Libyan media sector: Introduction and facilitation by Khalid Isbeta, Professor, Tobruk University for Media

14:30 – 15:30: Evaluating the status of and challenges facing public media in Libya: Introduction and facilitation by Ali Jabriel, General Director of Libya Al Wataniya

16:00 – 17:30: International standards pertaining to freedom of expression and the role of public
authorities in support of media independence and pluralism: Introduction and facilitation by Pierre François Docquir, Head of Media Freedom Programme, ARTICLE 19

10 February 2019

09:00 – 10:30: The importance of self-regulation of the media in guaranteeing and protecting
freedom of expression: Introduction and facilitation by Chris Elliott, Director of the Ethical Journalism Network

10:45 – 12:15: Basic guarantees and safeguards of media independence provided by laws, and
the critical role journalists play in fending off interferences: Introduction and facilitation by Line Barfod, Member of the Board of Directors of the Danish Broadcasting Corporation

13:00 – 14:30: Formulating a national vision for the structural reform of the Libyan media sector: Introduction and facilitation by Reda Fheel Alboom, General Manager, Libya Al Wataniya

14:45 – 16:00: Planning an advocacy campaign to reform the media sector and to ensure media
independence: Introduction and facilitation by Mohammed Najem, LCFP Executive Manager

16:00 – 17:00: The way forward: Introduction and facilitation by Virginie Jouan, Sub-regional Head, Maghreb, International Media Support, and Aymen Zaghdoudi, MENA Legal Advisor, ARTICLE 19


Main image: Libyan journalists call for new legislation to defend independent journalism 9-10 February