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UNESCO concludes one-year Dutch funded project on media and elections in Lebanon
Building on UNESCO’s added value of engaging in media development, the project has reinforced the capacities and knowledge of key actors involved in the elections according to international standards, with key local partners such as the May Chidiac Foundation, Adyan Foundation and Dawaer NGO. In numbers, 56 reporters from 20 local media institutions were trained in unbiased election reporting, verification of news, and dealing with hate speech and cyberbullying. Over 55 young Lebanese from different regions also acquired the tools and skills needed to monitor and counter hate speech and fake news, with the production of short videos disseminated via social media. Nine journalism students and nine filmmaking students worked together to produce news reports that reflect the critical role of municipalities. Moreover, in a first-of-its-kind initiative, media professionals and Internal Security Forces senior officers engaged to create a safe environment for media workers, to raise awareness on freedom of speech and safety of journalists. A guide on best practices during elections was also produced.
Speaking at the closing event, Costanza Farina, Director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office in Beirut, recollected that this project was formulated in the immediate aftermath of the August 2020 Beirut Port explosions.
UNESCO launched the LiBeirut flagship Initiative to mobilize resources and expertise in an effort to rehabilitate and safeguard the city’s severely damaged education system, its cultural heritage and to support the revival of its cultural life. However, the rebuilding of an enabling and open information environment was considered equally crucial for the reconstruction of both the city and the wider Lebanon, as it is an indispensable condition for the country to foster and preserve political stability and future prosperity. Hence, this project came to support free, plural and fair elections in Lebanon. I express my gratitude to HE the Ambassador and to The Netherlands for their generous funding for this project, but also for their partnership and for investing in a very important topic in Lebanon such as accountable and transparent elections reporting.
Hans Peter van der Woude, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Lebanon, assured that “this topic goes beyond elections”.
It concerns the whole information intake by everyone, especially in times where algorithms and artificial intelligence play a decisive role in the information we get delivered to our social media platforms. A lack of objective information increases people’s vulnerability, making them more susceptible to manipulation, conspiracies, fear and negative stereotypes. Here in Lebanon, elections took taking place against the backdrop of a severe economic crisis that has also significantly impacted the media sector, with budget cuts and sometimes the closure of media outlets. As we are, still, amid the presidential election process in the country, fair and free media play a key role in the accountability of political processes. Media and journalists have a role to play in preserving the pluralism and diversity of their voices. In the end, this is what leads to an active and meaningful participation of people in political, social, and economic spheres. The Netherlands will continue to stand for freedom of expression, independent journalism worldwide, and the safety of journalists.
Representing the Minister of Information Ziad Makary, Elissar Naddaf, saluted the initiative, affirming that “the Ministry is keen to preserve freedom of expression, which is a necessity and a duty, especially in light of the political and economic crises”.
It is the duty of the Ministry of Information to secure this freedom for media professionals by protecting them, she added. Hate speech in the electoral process constitutes a message of incitement to violence, discrimination, and defamation. Hence the importance for voters to access correct information and make informed decisions, and the importance of this cooperation between UNESCO, the Netherlands, security forces, youth, and civil society.
Elissar Naddaf also highlighted the fact that the Ministry of Information, in cooperation with UNESCO, “has worked on drafting amendments to the current Lebanese media law“. “Today, we are pleased to inform you that these amendments were sent to the parliamentary committees, hoping that the law will be approved soon so that Lebanon can regain its former position when it comes to freedom of the press”.
Inspiring testimonies
The closing event featured panels and testimonies from young participants in the project, as well as from media professionals who covered the Lebanese elections. "I am thrilled to share that myself and a group of 40 passionate young individuals and activists participated in rigorous training led by Dawaer NGO and UNESCO, said Ahmad Abou Hamdan. The training focused on media education, combating hate speech, and addressing media disinformation. Our collective efforts culminated in the creation and dissemination of a compelling advocacy and awareness campaign, shedding light on crucial topics prior to the 2022 parliamentary elections. We are proud of the impressive results we achieved, and I say to my young colleagues: your passion, ideas, and actions have the power to transform our Lebanon, the one that we love. Embrace your potential, stand tall, and let our voices be heard!”
For Lynn Sarkis, another young participant, “the first step in the project was to gain a comprehensive understanding of hate speech and bullying, including their different forms and their impact on individuals and communities.” “This initial training allowed us to approach the project with a well-informed perspective, she said. Next, we utilized social media platforms to reach a wider audience. We developed engaging content, including infographics, videos, and written posts, which highlighted the negative impact of hate speech and bullying. The project provided us with a unique opportunity to contribute to the broader conversation on online safety and digital citizenship. By sharing our reports and engaging with social media users, we were able to raise awareness about the importance of creating a respectful and inclusive online environment. Witnessing the impact of our work firsthand, as individuals began reporting instances of hate speech and bullying, was incredibly rewarding, and motivated us to continue advocating for positive change.”
Rasha Zein, a reporter at local TV channel NBN, described the meetings that brought together the media and the security forces under the umbrella of UNESCO as “creative dialogue”. “This crucial dialogue led to the improvement of practices and situation on the ground during the parliamentary elections, especially with the action plan that was developed. It was successful since it highlighted the flaws and ways to improve the relationship between the two parties. UNESCO played an active role in finding common ground between them”, she added.
More about UNESCO’s action in Beirut
LiBeirut is an international flagship initiative launched from Beirut by the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, in the aftermath of the explosions, to support the rehabilitation of schools, historic heritage buildings, museums, galleries and the creative industry. In particular, UNESCO rehabilitated the 280 educational institutions damaged by the double explosion, mobilizing more than US$35 million.
