From Bkerki, Morcos: Freedom of expression does not justify abuse, and we will continue awareness campaigns to confront hate speech

Information Minister Dr. Paul Morcos stressed the need to strike a balance between freedom of expression and social responsibility, affirming that respect for human dignity and for national and religious figures constitutes the foundation of any sound media or communication practice. His remarks came after meeting Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi following his participation in Sunday Mass marking the 60th World Day of Social Communications at the Patriarchal headquarters in Bkerki.

Morcos said that “freedom of opinion is guaranteed for الجميع, but it must not turn into a means of abuse or of dismantling society,” pointing to the importance of responsible expression that preserves the dignity of individuals, the nation, and institutions.

He noted that the media sector agrees on the need to promote a culture of responsible expression and to convey this awareness to social media users in a way that curbs manifestations of defamation and hate speech.

Regarding the measures being taken by the Ministry of Information, Morcos explained that the ministry has intensified its awareness and guidance efforts in cooperation with international organizations, particularly UNESCO and the United Nations Development Programme, in addition to the Ministry of Education and production companies, with the aim of launching awareness campaigns targeting schools and universities.

He pointed out that the work is focused on strengthening civic and educational culture among younger generations, considering that confronting the phenomena of abuse and defamation begins with education and the building of social awareness.

He stressed that anything exceeding the bounds of freedom of opinion, including abuse and hate speech, remains within the jurisdiction of the judiciary, underscoring the distinction between the ministry’s awareness-raising role and the judicial role responsible for accountability.