On 17 October 2026, Lebanese journalist Carine Abdelnour stated that an insult and defamation complaint had been filed against her at Antelias police station over a video she published about alleged misconduct. Abdelnour argued that under the new Media Law, disputes arising from publication must be heard by the civil courts, not handled through police questioning.
On 21 October, Abdelnour announced that her questioning had been postponed to 27 October and that she would not attend. She cited the safeguards in the Media Law and the rules governing journalistic and union work. She called for respect for the Editors’ Syndicate’s role in protecting journalists, while acknowledging the right of reply and the right of access to justice.
On 28 October, Abdelnour said in a public statement that information pointed to the complaint file being closed following the submission of a detailed memorandum explaining her refusal to attend and challenging the legality of the summons. Closure has not been independently confirmed. She thanked the judiciary, journalists’ organisations, unions and colleagues for their support.
The case raises concerns about the use of police questioning in disputes over journalistic work, despite legal safeguards that route such cases to the courts. Repeated summonses and legal costs can deter investigative reporting and drain the time and resources journalists have for their work, limiting public access to information about alleged wrongdoing. Abdelnour’s account of the reported closure also points to the importance of professional support and consistent procedural safeguards.