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By Sami Zaptia.
London, 16 June 2021:
The Libyan government has decreed to dissolve the controversial state Libyan Media Foundation, and transfer the affiliation of the state local media and channels to the Prime Minister’s Office and its relevant ministries and bodies.
The Libya Media Foundation is headed by the controversial figure of Mohamed Baiyu.
Contested appointment, militia arrest and suspension
It will be recalled that Baiyu was controversially appointed by outgoing Presidency Council head, Faiez Serraj, on 10 October 2020. But the appointment decision was unilateral and did not gain the unanimous support of the rest of the Presidency Council.
Baiyu had worked for a long period in the Qaddafi media machine and was seen as representing the old regime.
Ten days later, Baiyu was kidnapped by the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade (TRB) but was later released unharmed.
The Audit Bureau also suspended Baiyu for obstructing its oversight work.
Libya Media Foundation head Baiyu rejects his suspension by Audit Bureau | (libyaherald.com)
Libya’s state media unified as a television and radio network: TAL | (libyaherald.com)
Tripoli Libyan government to launch English-language TV channel | (libyaherald.com)
Head of Serraj Media Foundation released by militias | (libyaherald.com)
UNSMIL deplores unlawful arrest of Serraj media head Baiyu | (libyaherald.com)
