Lebanese TV host charged with defaming Saudi crown prince

Comedian Hicham Haddad, host of a Lebanese talk show, has become the latest media figure to be caught up in a crackdown on freedom of speech.

The host of a Lebanese talk show has become the latest media figure to be caught up in a crackdown on freedom of speech.

Comedian Hicham Haddad is accused of defaming the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, by cracking jokes about him on TV.

Press freedom groups say the case is part of a pattern in Lebanon designed to intimidate the media.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr has more from Beirut.