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DWA DW Akademie speakup barometer Lebanon Key Findings

Lebanon needs to find a digital journalism strategy

While access to internet remains relatively expensive in Lebanon, the innovative scene in Lebanon is mostly thriving, but journalism start-ups are having a hard time. 

Digital Participation Matters

The #speakup barometer is a DW Akademie project that examines the connection between digital participation, freedom of expression and access to information in five thematic areas: Access, Digital Rights, Media and Journalism, Innovation and Society. 

DWA DW Akademie speakup barometer Lebanon Barometer
People using digital media
DW Akademie in Lebanon
DW Akademie - Ländermanagerin Sandra van Edig

A mixture of media and entrepreneurship

Although Internet access in Lebanon is both costly and limited in rural areas, people benefit economically from social media by skillfully combining storytelling and merchandising, says Sandra van Edig.
junges Reporterteam im Flüchtlingslager Shatila im Libanon

Supporting youth and media viability in Lebanon

DW Akademie is creating a platform for dialogue between different social groups in Lebanon, but also focuses on media viability in order to support a sustainable independent media landscape.

DWA DW Akademie speakup barometer Lebanon Spinnengrafik

Visualizing Lebanon's overall results

See the detailed results for all of our five clusters visualized in one chart: Access, Digital Rights, Media and Journalism, Society, and Innovation. Please click to enlarge the image.

Lebanon: Advanced Level of Digital Participation

Lebanon’s entrepreneurial landscape is slowly beginning to blossom. Lebanon is home to the second biggest start-up scene in the region, despite the fact that access to the Internet remains costly and Internet speed is still slow due to a lack of fibre connections. Social media has proven to be a powerful engagement tool for Lebanese people to debate political and social issues and to pressure the government. More and more media companies are betting on the expansion of digital media but the government’s strategy remains unclear. A lack of legislation to protect freedom of expression online and a spike in related arrests means digital rights are suffering. But a new law for freedom of expression online might soon be on the way.

Lebanon's Digital Experts
  • Libanon Barometer | Zina Dajani (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Zina Bdeir Dajani

    With a background in real estate, Zina Bdeir Dajani founded the co-working space Antwork in February 2016. The co-working space, much like Google's campus, aims to be the leading launchpad for growth in emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems, offering the open spaces start-ups cannot afford on their own.

  • Libanon Barometer Hicham Kayed Al Jana (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Hicham Kayed

    Hicham Kayed is a filmmaker and the directorof the Beirut-based organization Al Jana, also known as the Arab Resource Center for Popular Arts (ARCPA).Al Jana celebrates popular arts but also brings marginalized and young people together. Their media program perceives media and art as tools for social development and community problem solving.

  • Libanon Barometer | Ramy Boujawdeh (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Ramy Boujawdeh

    Ramy Boujawdeh has a master's degree in management and economics from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania. He has practical experience in change management and ISO Management Systems certification and implementation in the private sector. He is currently the deputy general manager for Berytech.

  • Libanon Barometer | Daoud Ibrahim (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Daoud Ibrahim

    Daoud Ibrahim is an experienced journalist and journalism trainer. He is an instructor at the Saint Joseph University in Beirut and at Lebanese International University. He also focuses on new developments in digital technology and is a social media expert

  • Libanon Barometer | Roula Mikhael (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Roula Mikhael

    Roula Mikhael is the director of the Beirut-based Maharat Foundation,which is a specialized organization endeavouring to defend freedom of opinion and expression. This is achieved by developing the media sector, advocating for legal reforms, building knowledge and awareness, disseminating information and building capacities of diverse social, media, culture and civic actors.

  • Libanon Barometer | Layal Bahnam (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Layal Bahnam

    Layal Bahnam is a program officer and manager at Maharat Foundation, which is a specialized organization endeavouring to defend freedom of opinion and expression. This is achieved by developing the media sector, advocating for legal reforms, building knowledge and awareness, disseminating information and building capacities of diverse social, media, culture and civic actors.

  • Libanon Barometer 2019 (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Alia Ibrahim and Diana Moukalled

    Alia Ibrahim and Diana Moukalled are both journalists who used to work for different pan-Arab and local media institutions. They both decided to quit their jobs in traditional media,and founded the online platform "Daraj," based at the co-working space, Antwork.

  • Libanon Barometer | Mohamad Najem (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Mohamad Najem

    Mohamad Najem is the director of SMEX, Social Media Exchange, in Beirut. The registered Lebanese nonprofit organization conducts training, research, and advocacy on strategic communications and human rights in a digital world.

  • Libanon Barometer | Grant Baker (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Grant Baker

    Grant Baker works at SMEX, Social Media Exchange in Beirut. He is a researcher at the registered Lebanese non-profit organization that conducts training, research, and advocacy on strategic communications and human rights in a digital world.

  • Libanon Barometer 2019 (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Azza Ibrahim

    Azza Ibrahim works at SMEX, Social Media. She is a researcher and campaigner at the registered Lebanese non-profit organization that conducts training, research, and advocacy on strategic communications and human rights in a digital world.

  • Libanon Barometer | Grace Harb (DW/D. Hodali)

    Lebanon's digital experts

    Grace Harb

    Grace Harb is the program director of initiation to ICT and tech for girls and marginalized youth. A UNICEF-funded program, it is specifically designed for girls and youth in marginalized areas in Lebanon. She is an experienced senior associate with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry.

    Author: Diana Hodali


Expert Interview

Lebanon - Changing the concept of digital privacy

Libanon Barometer | Mohamad Najem

SMEX wants to change people’s perception of digital privacy in Lebanon. Your content and the exchange of your data should only happen with your consent; says co-founder Mohamad Najem.
Contact us

barometer@dw.com