The right to censor
Written by Najib

At a time when activists complain that Lebanon's censorship process is opaque and seemingly arbitrary, General Security issued its first monthly magazine, “Al-Amen Al-Aam” (“General Security”). Strikingly, the October edition dedicated a section – composing almost one-fourth of the magazine – to the censorship process and related regulations.

Besides combating crime and controlling border and passport issues, General Security – based on internal directives – also censors literary and artistic works and publications which they believe could potentially pose a threat to the country’s stability. The magazine, legal experts and rights activists say, aims to promote the bureau as an advocate of freedom of expression at a time when it has come under fire for heightened censorship. By presenting the laws and regulations within which the body functions – as well as their many loopholes – General Security activists believe that the magazine has only reinforced the need to lobby for appropriate legislative amendments. 

On the eve of the 68th anniversary of the founding of General Security, the agency’s General Directorate announced that it would be publishing in-house press material which would comprise of a series of books about the branch’s history and a monthly magazine that will address issues of public concern.  [Link]