State Entities of Lebanon Key to the Media Landscape
This material is one of ten analytical briefs accompanying the full report on the security of Lebanon’s information environment. It forms part of a broader series examining key trends and incidents shaping the informational landscape. We encourage you to read the full report:
https://shafafiyat.com/ar/2025/09/17/%d8%aa%d9%82%d8%b1%d9%8a%d8%b1-%d8%a3%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%8a%d8%a6%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%88%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%aa%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d9%81%d9%8a-%d9%84%d8%a8%d9%86%d8%a7%d9%86/
Lebanon, though geographically small, is characterised by an extremely complex political and social system in which media and telecommunications infrastructure play a strategic role. In this country, freedom of speech is theoretically protected by the constitution; however, in practice, control over information is heavily dependent on political and sectarian interests. State institutions responsible for regulating media, communications, and the protection of journalists operate in a complicated environment where formal independence often does not translate into real effectiveness.
Lebanese media are at once dynamic and deeply politicized. This sector remains under the influence of both state regulations and private interests connected to political parties or religious communities. The aim of this analysis is to present the key institutions responsible for shaping media and telecommunications policy in Lebanon, and to assess their roles, effectiveness, and limitations.
In Lebanon, state institutions play a key role in regulating the media and telecommunications sectors. The Ministry of Telecommunications, the National Audiovisual Council (CNA), the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), and the Lebanese Media Syndicates shape the informational landscape, influencing access to information, press freedom, and the country’s technological development.
1. Ministry of Telecommunications (MoT)
The Ministry of Telecommunications is responsible for the entire communications sector in Lebanon, including network infrastructure, mobile operators, and internet access. It manages state-owned companies such as Ogero and oversees private operators Alfa and Touch. Although it theoretically holds strategic importance for the country’s digital modernization, in practice, many shortcomings are evident: the sector has been accused of opacity and corruption, and according to reports from 2010–2020, as much as USD 6 billion in public revenues was allegedly lost irretrievably.
2. Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)
The TRA was established in 2002 with the goal of introducing competition, transparency, and market liberalization in the telecommunications sector. It handles licensing, frequency management, and the enforcement of user rights. In practice, however, this institution is weakened by its lack of independence and real influence. Legislative changes have not been fully implemented, and TRA decisions are often blocked or ignored by politicians.
3. National Audiovisual Council (Conseil National de l’Audiovisuel – CNA)
The CNA is the official regulatory body for audiovisual media. Established in 1994, it is tasked with issuing licenses, controlling program content, and monitoring media ethics. The Council consists of ten members, selected partly by the government and partly by parliament – making it highly politicized. Due to its advisory nature and limited executive powers, the CNA is unable to effectively prevent media abuses.
4. Ministry of Information (Ministère de l’Information)
This ministry oversees state media – including Télé Liban and Radio Liban – as well as certain aspects of public communication. In the past, it had greater regulatory power, but today its role is diminishing. Nevertheless, it remains important for broadcasting governmental messages and licensing new media entities. Reforms aimed at transforming this ministry into a more transparent and modern institution are still in the planning stage.
5. Lebanese Journalistic Syndicates
Organizations such as the Lebanese Press Syndicate (Syndicat de la Presse Libanaise) represent the interests of media workers. Their role is to defend press freedom, negotiate with the government, and uphold professional standards. The problem, however, is that many editorial offices are not members of any syndicate, and independent journalists often lack support. The weakness of these structures prevents them from effectively resisting political pressure, self-censorship, and physical threats.
6. Private Media and the Information Landscape
Lebanon boasts a wealth of television and radio stations such as LBCI, Al-Jadeed, MTV, and OTV. Although they operate as private entities, most are financed by specific political parties or religious communities, significantly shaping their editorial lines. These media outlets often serve as instruments of political struggle rather than vehicles for objective public information. With the rise of the internet, numerous news portals have emerged – unfortunately, many are also used to spread disinformation.
Major Media Entities in Lebanon
Television
Lebanon has one of the most developed television markets in the Arab region, though it is highly politicized. Télé Liban, the historic public broadcaster, was once a pioneer in the Arab world. Today, however, its viewership is limited and its influence marginal. LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) is one of the most popular private stations, founded during the civil war and originally linked to the Christian Lebanese Forces. MTV Lebanon is another private television station with a distinctly conservative and pro-Christian political orientation. Al-Manar, owned by Hezbollah, serves as a propaganda tool for the party and has high viewership among the Shia community. Al-Jadeed stands out as an independent outlet known for bold investigative reporting and criticism of both secular and religious authorities.
Radio
The Lebanese radio sector is equally diverse. Radio Liban is the state-owned station broadcasting in several languages, including Arabic, French, and English. Voice of Charity (Sawt el Mahabba) is a Catholic radio station run by Maronites, focused on religious and educational content. Radio Orient is a private station offering a mix of news, music, and socio-political programs aimed at a broad, multi-sectarian audience.
Print Press
Despite financial challenges, print media in Lebanon continues to play an important role. An-Nahar is an influential Arabic-language daily with a liberal profile, in existence since the 1930s. L’Orient-Le Jour is the leading French-language daily, regarded as an opinion-forming newspaper catering mainly to the Christian middle class and elite. Al-Akhbar, by contrast, is known for its pro-government and pro-Hezbollah editorial stance, though it often publishes high-quality socio-political analyses.
Summary
The system of media and telecommunications regulation in Lebanon is multilayered but also full of contradictions. Formally, numerous institutions exist to ensure balance, freedom of speech, and high-quality communication services. In reality, however, most are constrained by political influence, lack of transparency, outdated laws, and limited autonomy.
The Ministry of Telecommunications and the TRA are crucial for the future of digital infrastructure, but their actions are often insufficient. The CNA and the Ministry of Information, despite their formal powers, fail to ensure neutrality of content or effective market regulation. Meanwhile, journalistic unions are too weak to effectively protect press freedom and workers’ rights.
To improve this system, Lebanon needs deep reforms: modernization of legal frameworks, greater independence for regulatory institutions, strengthening journalists’ positions, and fostering independent media. Only then will it be possible to create an informational environment based on pluralism, credibility, and genuine freedom of speech.
It must be emphasized that despite difficult conditions – political pressure, physical threats, and censorship – Lebanon still holds potential for free media. Its future, however, depends on institutional reforms, a strong civil society, and international support for pluralism and freedom of expression.