Libya print newspapers nearly faded away

Hundreds of print newspapers in Libya have been forced out of business due to years of instability that toppled over the industry.

Since 2014, newspapers have been unable to restart production due mainly to a lack of funding and resources, Reuters reported.

“Previously, the Press Support Committee would provide support to the media, even private media. We used to print around 130 private newspapers a day but when the machine stopped working, we did not find the necessary support to fix it, purchase spare parts, import paper and zinc, because of course Libya is undoubtedly in a crisis. The political divide also plays a role in impacting the sector. With two governments, as you know, budgets are on hold for a lot of state institutions.” Said Head of Libyan press support committee, Mahmoud Abuhasheima.

About 600 local private and state-owned newspapers were forced to shut down since the 17 February revolution and only 15 of the newspapers that are still running can afford to print sporadic copies.

According to Reuters, a newspaper is sold for just half a Libyan dinar ($0.38), the cost of printing a single copy can reach 5 Libyan dinars ($3.7).