A Proposed law to prevent objectifying women in media and advertisement

The Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, Jean Ogassapian, declared that his ministry is in the process of preparing a legislative proposal prohibiting stereotyping and objectifying women in the fields of media and advertising, in order to curb violence that [women] are subjected to, and which reinforces discrimination and marginalization [of women]. Ogassapian pointed out that the Council of Ministers, addressed during the session held last Wednesday several programs that are presented on some of the Lebanese television stations.  He emphasized commitment to freedom of the media, on condition that such freedom does not violate public morality, or harm the image of Lebanese women, their dignity and basic rights. Ogassapian statement follows wide public complaints, against several television programs that contained a lot of inappropriate language, sexual innuendoes, and objectifying of women, especially the program entitled “Take Me Out, Naqshet” which is screened on LBCI channel.  This also prompted also the Minister of Information, Melhem Riachi, to convene a meeting, yesterday, to examine the content of these programs. On his part, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Lebanese Institution (LBCI), Pierre el-Daher, stated that he will personally supervise the content of that program to prevent it from falling into a morally forbidden area. (The Daily Star, Annahar, January, 27, 2017)