17 February Revolution: Media in north-eastern Libya
During the reign of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has rated as one of the least free countries in the Arab region – also in terms of freedom of expression. In the now liberated north-eastern part of Libya, all media outlets were tightly controlled by the regime. Most media workers interviewed by IMS in Benghazi in May and June 2011 agreed that the news disseminated during the 42 years of Gaddafi’s reign was “irrelevant”. No media reports on internal or foreign politics could be trusted as all media was entirely controlled by the state.
The 17 February “revolution” and “liberation” of north-eastern Libya has left the media in this region in a new situation, free of restrictions of the regime. This has resulted in a boom of new and more independent media. However, most of these are still embryonic and in need of professional skills.
The media landscape in north-eastern Libya is constantly changing. Ulti- mately, its future potential for development depends on the outcome of the conflict and fate of Colonel Gaddafi. However, the current liberated status of north-eastern Libya provides a window of opportunity to support and strengthen new and independent media, crucial for the future democratic stability of the region.
This report provides a snapshot of the media landscape as it stands this summer, 2011.
