The National Human Rights Commission Including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (NHRC-CPT) is closely monitoring the growing human rights and social implications arising from the monopolization of broadcasting rights for major sporting events and the high subscription fees imposed on the Lebanese public, alongside measures taken to block a number of unlicensed streaming platforms pursuant to judicial and administrative decisions.
In this context, the Commission emphasizes that the right to participate in cultural life and recreational activities, and to enjoy the benefits of scientific and technological progress, is a recognized human right under international law, particularly Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both of which Lebanon has ratified.
The concentration of broadcasting rights in the hands of a limited number of private companies, coupled with subscription fees that often exceed the purchasing power of most Lebanese citizens, has transformed access to global sporting events from a shared social and cultural experience into a privilege available only to a limited segment of society. This situation constitutes a practical barrier to the equal enjoyment of cultural and recreational rights and contributes to social inequality and digital exclusion.
At the same time, many citizens find themselves compelled to resort to unlicensed streaming platforms as the only available means of following these events. However, such platforms frequently fail to meet basic digital security standards and expose users to a range of risks, including malware, phishing attacks, theft of personal data, and the compromise of electronic devices, thereby posing a direct threat to the rights to privacy and digital security.
The Commission believes that addressing this issue should not be limited to technical measures such as blocking access to unauthorized platforms. Rather, it requires public policies that strike a balance between protecting intellectual property rights on the one hand and ensuring public access to content of social and cultural significance on the other.
The Commission therefore recommends the following:
First: Promoting Fair and Public Access
Develop regulatory frameworks or local agreements requiring rights holders and broadcasters to provide affordable basic packages for major sporting events, ensuring that low-income groups are not excluded from accessing them.
Second: Supporting Collective Viewing Initiatives
Encourage municipalities, public institutions, cultural centers, and sports organizations to organize public screenings of major sporting events in public spaces and community venues, thereby reducing the financial burden on individuals and strengthening social cohesion.
Third: Enhancing Digital Literacy and Cybersecurity
- Launch national awareness campaigns on the risks associated with using unlicensed streaming platforms.
- Provide users with information and tools to verify the legitimacy and safety of websites and digital services before using them.
- Strengthen public awareness of personal data protection and cybersecurity principles.
Fourth: Adopting a Human Rights-Based Approach
Ensure that policies related to broadcasting rights and intellectual property take into account their impact on citizens’ economic, social, and cultural rights, while maintaining an appropriate balance between commercial interests and the public’s right to access information, culture, and entertainment.
The National Human Rights Commission Including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (NHRC-CPT) reiterates that building a safe, inclusive, and equitable digital environment requires addressing the economic and social factors that drive citizens toward unauthorized alternatives, while ensuring that everyone can access cultural and sporting content in a fair and secure manner, in line with Lebanon’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
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