A proposed information law in Lebanon has triggered sharp criticism from journalists and press freedom advocates, who warn the legislation could institutionalize discrimination against Palestinian refugees.
The bill, which has already been approved by joint parliamentary committees, includes provisions that would mandate that managers of professional media sites must hold Lebanese citizenship.
Critics argue this requirement effectively bars Palestinian refugees, who make up a significant portion of the country's population, from holding key roles in the media sector.
The law also introduces penalties for the "dissemination of" certain content, a clause that advocates say could be used to stifle independent reporting and limit press freedom under the guise of national security.
The legislative push comes at a precarious time for Lebanon's private sector, which has lost approximately one-third of its workforce due to the ongoing economic crisis and regional conflict.
With labor markets already severely disrupted, new regulatory barriers threaten to further marginalize vulnerable communities and reduce opportunities for professional advancement.