In recent months, several radio stations have stopped broadcasting certain programmes, especially political ones, or have stopped broadcasting altogether. Many newspapers, such as Al-Mayadeen in Tripoli and Al-Ahwal in Benghazi, have also stopped publishing for fear of being attacked by armed groups.
Such decisions by news media to censor themselves or stop working reinforce the feeling of fear within the media throughout Libya. The increasing frequency with which journalists flee the country after threats, attacks or murder attempts also highlights the level of danger for those who continue to work at great risk to themselves.
Reporters Without Borders reiterates the fundamental importance of freedom of information in any democratic society, especially one in transition such as Libya.
Despite rampant political instability and violence, it is vital that all political and military actors should respect this freedom, one enshrined in article 14 of Libya’s Constitutional Declaration, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in other treaties and conventions to which Libya is a party.
Libya’s media personnel must also respect the basic principles of journalistic ethics and conduct by covering events as professionally and impartially as possible, with a constant concern for independence, transparency and objectivity, the bases of good journalism.
(Source: Reporters Without Borders)