Libya Government Bias
Government
Government Type: Transitional Government
Leaders: Prime Ministers Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and Fathi Ali Abdul Salam Bashagha
Political Party: Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh (Government of National Unity), Fathi Ali Abdul Salam Bashagha (Government of National Stability)
Political Position: Center-Right
Press Freedom
World Press Freedom Rank: Libya 143/180
Libya is ranked 143 out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders’ 2022 index. RSF, in its report, draws attention to ongoing press freedom violations and armed conflict following the death of former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Journalists often had to take sides as parties involved in the conflict forced them, which was a detriment to editorial independence.
Media Ownership and Government Analysis
Muammar Gaddafi led a successful military coup against the monarchy coming to power in 1969 and ruled Libya for 42 years. In 2011, the NATO-led coalition toppled him with military intervention which led to his assassination, and the country fell into a civil war. Ever since, several governments have formed, but Libya has struggled to unify.
Currently, in Libya, there are two Prime Ministers. In the west is the Government of National Unity based in Tripoli, which the UN recognizes as Libya’s official government. National Unity generally supports Islamists and is led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. The other government in the East is the Government of National Stability (GNS), led by Fathi Ali Abdul Salam Bashagha who is supported by the secular Khalifa Haftar and his Libya National Army. Khalifa Haftar has been charged with war crimes by the United States. Both men claim to be the legitimate prime ministers of Libya.
Libya is considered one of the most tribal nations in the Arab world, and during Gaddafi’s years, tribal territories were held together. As Libyan scholars state, Libya under Gaddafi was more stable than now and once was a destination for migrant workers as it had plenty of jobs with free healthcare and free education. It also had one of the highest living standards in Africa and a strong economy. Currently, Libya is in a state of turmoil, unstable, beset by chaos, with armed clashes, therefore, it remains divided by regional rivalries and ongoing armed clashes.
Regarding media, The rivalry of the political forces in the west and east reflects its media as most of the media outlets are fractured and highly partisan. RSF summarizes the Media landscape by stating “Libya is an informational black hole.” Since the country is in a civil war and due to political instability and violence, Libya is not safe for journalists and most have fled the country.
Last Updated on May 21, 2022 by Media Bias Fact Check
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