| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | ||
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1 | Organisation | Representative(s) | Position | Organisation profile, activities, focus of the efforts | Projects in Lebanon (and the region) | Emergency Response to 4 August Explosion | Budget (or approximate estimate) for the Lebanon recovery efforts and projects | Attended coordination meeting on 26 October 2020 | Attended coordination meeting on 16 March 2021 and resorces shared during the meeting | ||||||||||||||||
2 | Canal France International (CFI) | Anne Ilcinkas | Project Manager for the Mediterranean region and Asia | Founded in 1989, Canal France International (CFI) is the French media development agency. CFI is responsible for implementing public aid policy in the media sector in developing countries (Africa, the Mediterranean region, the Balkans, Caucasus and Asia). Focus areas: media and pluralism, media and enterprise, and media and development. | CFI, collaborates with Lebanese media outlets to offer journalists from the Arab world online meetings and resources to strengthen ties between journalists and to promote the sharing of experiences. CFI projects include: -"Ama baad": a project to analyse the effects of COVID-19 on Arab societies and enable journalists to better report on its consequences. - “MédiaLab Investigation” supports the specialisation of investigative journalists in the Arab world in the field of health. Launched in September 2018. - D-Jil: aims to support young people in the Arab world access to information and develop digital news skills. October 26th meeting: Also supporting specific media investigative media outlets. | Lebanon Media Recovery Fund contributor October 26th meeting: Besides the signing of the agreement with SKeyes, which will last until September 2021, CFI looks forward to enhance cooperation with other actors present in the country | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
3 | Hamza Dridi | Mediterranean-Asia Project Manager | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | DW Akademie | Mona Naggar | Country Manager | Founded in 1965 DW Akademie is part of the German public international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW). DW Akademie works to the strengthen independent media and free expression. With local partners, DW Akademie develops programs for good media management, relevant and independent journalism. Focus areas: freedom of expression and human rights, digital technology, training media consultants, supporting digital media. | In Lebanon, DW Akademie is strengthening the economic viability of emerging alternative media. By tailoring business models and qualifying professionals and citizen journalists, high-quality media of all areas of society are developed on a solid economic foundation. The concept and activities of the Digital Media Viability Lab created by the Lebanese NGO Maharat Foundation in collaboration with DW Akademie is one example of this approach. Also, DW Akademie collaborates with other local partners such as ARCPA/AL-JANA which runs the citizen platform Campji, and a number of universities (e.g. Beirut Arab University, Lebanese International University) to promote digital journalism and create experimental spaces in the academic milieu. | DW Akademie is in close contact with the partners to adapt the projects to the current situation (Covid-19, economic situation, August 4 blast). DW Akademie made additional funds available at short notice to support the partners. | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Jens-Uwe Rahe | Head of Department Middle East/North Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||||
6 | Martin Vogl | Project Manager | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
7 | Free Press Unlimited (FPU) | Leon Willems | Executive Director | Free Press Unlimited is a non-governmental organization based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Active in 47 countries since 2011, Free Press Unlimited supports local journalists and media professionals in conflict areas with limited press freedom, to provide people with independent news and reliable information. To achieve this goal, Free Press Unlimited provides journalists and media professionals with training, emergency support, and capacity building to help them contribute to positive change in their society. Free Press Unlimited enhances the role of journalists and media organizations who shed light on corruption and abuse of power and play the role of watchdog for disadvantaged groups, by assisting them with knowledge of modern technology. | Policy & advocacy work fo safety of journalists | Lebanon Media Recovery Fund contributor October 26th meeting: FPU is open to more discussions with partners in Lebanon concerning the upcoming opportunities for additional funding. | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
8 | Bart Veenstra | Senior Program Coordinator | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
9 | Jantine van Herwijnen | Program Lead Safety of Journalists | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
10 | International Media Support (IMS) | Michael Irving Jensen | Regional Director MENA region | International Media Support was established in 2001 as a non-profit organization that works with local media in countries troubled by armed conflict, political instability, and authoritarian rule. IMS’ mission requires the strengthening of ethical standards and professional journalism through the development of good and accurate journalistic practices. Focus areas: promoting global press freedom, strengthening democracy, defending the rights of journalists, providing media training, building sustainable media business, ensuring safe media environments. | IMS has been working in the MENA region for the past decade with a focus on providing core support to media producing partners, which includes a holistic approach pertaining to the development of the media actors in the region. This approach entails: a)core financial support for organizational operations, b)expert knowledge in areas like strategy setting, business planning, tailored media trainings, safety trainings, c) individual safety emergency funds, d) legal reform and legal defense, e)networking and interlinkages between media actors and civil society and f)psychosocial and wellbeing support. IMS has dedicated country programs in countries like Egypt, Syria, Tunis, Jordan, Iraq and Morocco as well as a regional and crosscutting component. Currently, Lebanon is under the umbrella of the regional program component, with dedicated support to strategic partners such as Daraj, Megaphone and Act4Hope. With the ongoing escalation of the crisis in Lebanon IMS has increased the support to Lebanese partners to include SKeyes through their Media Recovery Fund, SMEX and GFMD for the joint-coordination efforts as well as a couple of additional new partners in the pipeline. | Lebanon Media Recovery Fund contributor Following the uprising in Lebanon since late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications on independent media and FoE and most importantly the Beirut port blast, IMS, GFMD, SKeyes and local actors recognise a need to coordinate efforts, initiatives and international support into a collective collaboration. To this end, IMS supports the the effort in establishing a joint coordination mechanism. October 26th meeting: After the blast, IMS has been engaged with Skeyes and is providing funds with a short-term goal to help the communities, also there is hope for a long term engagement and commitment in the region. IMS promotes the work of the Lebanese civil society in term of transparency, accountability, and creating independent and trust-worthy information, through: -support to the Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Lebanon. -support to Bread&Net 2020 online conference (organised by SMEX) to defend human rights in digitally networked spaces. -support for investigative stories by engaging with local partners such as (ARIJ). | 100,000 € donation to Media Recovery Fund | yes | yes | ||||||||||||||||
11 | Preethi Nallu | Advocacy Specialist | yes | yes | |||||||||||||||||||||
12 | Jesper Højberg | Executive Director | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||
13 | Nora Abu Samra | Regional Program Manager – IMS MENA Department | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
14 | Internews | Susanne Fischer | Regional Director for Middle East & North Africa Programs | Internews is an international non-profit organization that works to build healthy media and information environments. Working in challenging environments, Internews supports the free flow of trusted information and works to enhance the power of media for social and economic progress of communities. Focus areas: media and data literacy, supporting trustworthy, high-quality news and information, technology, accountability, and transparency, developing innovative media solutions. | Internews provides training for journalists and media professionals in the Middle East and North Africa to strengthen democracy and freedom of expression and increase their interaction with Digital technologies to access information through multiple workshops and activities. | October 26th meeting: Since the topic of business sustainability has come up repeatedly here, I thought I would share that Internews has recently brought deep expertise in this field on board by bringing in-house Newsgain https://www.newsgain.com/ Reach out to me any time for more details at sfischer@internews.org | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||
15 | Meriem Bahri | Senior Programme Officer Middle East and North Africa | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
16 | Reine Zahreddine | Project Manager | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
17 | International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) | Elisa Lees Muñoz | Executive Director | Founded in 1990, and located in the USA, the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) is an NGO that aims to promote the status of women in the media sector. Through its training, opportunities, and support, this international organization enhances the power of female journalists around the globe. IWMF creates practical programs that help female journalists and photographers overcome the obstacles they face in their careers, and provides grants and fellowships for journalists to become experts in reporting on issues affecting women and others. Focus areas: advocating on behalf of female journalists and photographers, press freedom, human rights, diversity of voices in news media. | See Emergency Response | IWMF announced a contribution of $10,000 to assist Lebanon-based journalists who are in need, after the August 4 explosion in Beirut, and opened the possibility for individuals to donate to the Media Recovery Fund in honor of Lebanese journalist and IWMF board member Raghida Dergham. Lebanon Media Recovery Fund contributor | |||||||||||||||||||
18 | Nadine Hoffman | Deputy Director | |||||||||||||||||||||||
19 | Samir Kassir Foundation | Ayman Mhanna | Executive Director | Established in 2007, Samir Kassir Foundation’s SKeyes Center aims to defend the rights of free speech and cultural freedom in the Middle East. Skeyes focuses on establishing an Arab public opinion that can defend, protect, and advocate for the freedom of expression. Focus areas: defend press and cultural freedom in the Arab World, Journalism support and training, financial and legal support to jailed journalists and intellectuals. | SKeyes Center monitors all forms of violations against freedom of the press and culture and acts to preserve an atmosphere that allows journalists and intellectuals to work freely against censorship and repression of power. | Lebanon Media Recovery Fund: The Samir Kassir Foundation launched the Media Recovery Fund to address the direct needs of the Lebanese media sector, through focusing on medical support to wounded journalists, providing trauma and psycho-social support, paying for equipment that has been damaged, and supporting journalists to investigate, question, and report for better professional environment. Following the uprising in Lebanon since late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications on independent media and FoE and most importantly the Beirut port blast, IMS, GFMD, SKeyes and local actors recognise a need to coordinate efforts, initiatives and international support into a collective collaboration. To this end, SKeyes is engaged in an effort to establish a joint coordination mechanism. | October 26th meeting: A total of 739,000 $ were pledged, and most contracts have already been signed with the partners. Breakdown: Livelihood support 115,800 Nearly 10,000 medical support Nearly 6,000 psihosocial assistance Damage repair (equipment physical damage, electrical) nearly 27,000 More specifically for furniture desks, office equipment, 30,000 Printing photocopying 1,600 Media outlets and or independent journalists 28,000 for cameras 39,000 for personal equipment, laptops 40,000 training for investigative journalists 30,000, safety training 36,000 Specifically 128,000 for investigative or accountability journalism work Health insurance 35,000 SKeyes administration, salaries- total from sept 1st end of 2021 77,000, slightly above 10% 30 direct requests covering the needs of 37 people March 16th 2021 meeting updates: • The economic livelihood of individual journalists: – livelihood support $80,260 to a total of 31 journalists of (including education, tuition fees, car repairs, car purchases for those whose cars have been completely destroyed by the blast, house repairs, and housing loan support). • Medical support: – support to one journalist severely wounded by the blast - support has exceeded $2,080. – health insurance for two journalists for a total of $2,500. • Trauma and psycho-social support (exceeded $2,300): – provided psychosocial support to one journalist – contribution to the Lebanese NGOs specialized in psychosocial assistance (Embrace). • Equipment Support: – support for the office equipment for five independent media outlets (6,700 US$). – printers and photocopy machines for three media outlets (800 US$). – cameras and filming equipment for two individual journalists and three independent media outlets (10,500 US$). – laptops and computers for three journalists and six independent media (29,400 US$). • Investigative journalism: – Signed three major investigative grants to further dig into the Beirut port blast explosion (165,000 US$). – Developed searchable database resource hosted on a secure website for all investigative journalists, which gathers evidence, information and official documents published about the Beirut port blast to assist journalists in their investigations. (7,800 US$). Total of 346000$ (40%) of the funds dedicated to Media Recovery Fund have been spent so far. Next steps Related to psychosocial resilience, Ayman Mhanna announced an organisation of series of workshops for Lebanese and international journalists covering Lebanon, in partnership with the Dart Centre in New York at Columbia University, the largest centre dedicated to trauma for journalists. https://www.skeyesmedia.org/en/News/News/10-03-2021/9179 He also indicated that nearly $166,000 have been committed to investigative journalism support for investigating some of the most sensitive issues in the country. | Yes | Yes resource shared during the meeting: Samir Kassir Foundation’s annual report for 2020: https://www.skeyesmedia.org/documents/bo_filemanager/SKF2020_ANNUAL_REPORT_EN.pdf | ||||||||||||||||
20 | Nayla Abdelnour | MRF Program Manager | |||||||||||||||||||||||
21 | Jihane Abdallah | Finance Officer | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
22 | CIMA/NED | Heather Gilberds | CIMA Associate Director and Editor | An initiative of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in the U.S. the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) is dedicated to promoting independent media in developing countries around the world. Through conducting research, producing reports, hosting experts and Thought Leaders, CIMA bonds efforts to improve the effectiveness of media development, and promote sustainable democracies around the world. Focus areas: Media development, freedom of expression and press freedom, education and training for journalists, media sustainability, innovation, and funding. | CIMA collaborates and supports the work of local partners to discuss obstacles to independent media across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and promote the working toward impactful solutions . | Lebanon Media Recovery Fund contributor October 26th meeting: CIMA is working and engaging with Marahat and Skeyes, and is open for further work and collaboration with partners in the region for a better understanding of what sort of knowledge production would be most helpful to respond to their needs. | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
23 | Aleksej Demjanski | Assistant Program Officer | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
24 | Amira Maaty | Senior Director for Middle East North Africa Programs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
25 | Karen Farrell | Senior Program Officer, MENA, NED | |||||||||||||||||||||||
26 | Friedrich Naumann Foundation | Andrea Nuesse | Head of International Journalist Programme | Established in 1958, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom is a German foundation that stands for the promotion of liberal principles and political education. Active in over 60 countries around the world, FNF promotes liberal values with a greater focus on individual freedom. FNF works with regional and local partners to support human rights through conferences, study tours, and publications for advancing the principles of freedom for all people. Focus areas: promoting the principles of freedom and liberal values, supporting human rights, democracy, political education and participation, scholarships for talented individuals. | FNF’s main objective is to support Lebanese civil society organizations and liberal political parties. FNF encourages young individuals with progressive ideas in their strive towards a more liberal society. October 26th meeting: Friedrich Naumann Foundation is partnering with Samir Kassir foundation on various projects, a study that looks at new media that have emerged from the revolution, to see and compare with traditional media is being finished and will be presented in mid November, FNF highlights the necessity to address issues linked to the economic viability and how quality media in Lebanon can be sustained. The need for the international and national organisations to see how economic viability can be obtained. | Lebanon Media Recovery Fund contributor | |||||||||||||||||||
27 | Kristof Kleeman | Lebanon Country Director | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
28 | The Sigrid Rausing Trust | Claire Rhoades Brown | Grants and Programme Coordinator | Founded in 1995, the Sigrid Rausing Trust (SRT) is a UK grant-making foundation that promotes the values of human rights, equality, and the rule of law around the globe. SRT upholds the universality of human rights and supports groups that advance human rights at the local and national level and has extended focus to include conservation and the arts. | SRT has supported many of Lebanon’s organizations with different programs (Detention and Torture, Defending Civic Space, Transitional Justice, Arts..). Orgnanisation supported by SRT projects: Act For the Disappeared, Action for Hope, Lebanese Center For Human Rights, Samir Kassir Foundation, LEF - Act For Human Rights and others October 26th meeting: Currently, SRT is working on the “Defending civic space” program, established in 2018 to strengthen civic space, environment that encourages citizens to organise, participate, and express themselves freely both online and in the media. This program funds groups defending the freedom of expression, informal civil society groups, independent media outlets, initiatives that encourage civic participation, digital rights and legal defence groups, international regional groups able to challenge restrictions on civil society SRT is looking to expand in 2021 and 2022 to MENA region, to work with digital rights groups and independent media outlets, hoping to be in contact with a number of meeting participants to discuss their work and feedback on other groups that might be of interest | Lebanon Media Recovery Fund contributor | |||||||||||||||||||
29 | Maha Abushama | Programme Manager for Human Rights | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
30 | Meta Journalism Project | Mohamed Omar | News Partnerships Manager, Meta - Middle East and North Africa | Facebook Journalism Project is a program launched in 2017 by Facebook in order to strengthen relations with the news industry. The project provides trainings, programs, and partnerships on how to use social tools to tell stories, fund initiatives to combat misinformation, and promote news literacy. Focus areas: quality journalism, online courses to journalists, journalistic best practices. | See Emgergency Response | The Facebook Journalism Project, in collaboration with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), has announced, in mid August 2020, that it will invest USD 400K in a new program that aims to support the stabilization and recovery needs of journalists and news organizations in Lebanon affected by the explosion in Beirut on August 4. The program - “Supporting Beirut: Response and Recovery Fund” - will assist in supporting local news outlets that have suffered damage to infrastructure and resources. The Facebook Journalism Project, in collaboration with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), will award $125,000 to the impacted Lebanese news organizations and journalists in need of emergency funds. | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||
31 | US Embassy | Raisa Dukas | Cultural Affairs Officer | The United States provided aid to the Lebanese people following the explosion in Beirut through various programmes and agencies. | On August 7, it was announced that the U.S. has pledged an initial $17 million in food and medical assistance. Lebanon Media Recovery Fund contributor | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
32 | Elisa Aslanian | Digital Media Specialist | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
33 | Check Global - Meedan | Azza el Masri | Pan-Arab Newsroom Coordinator | Check Global is a program run by Meedan to support journalism and human rights research in the developing world. The program strengthens the capacities of citizen journalists, human rights activists, journalism students, civil society organisations to use media and technology and promote their role as watchdogs and investigators of their communities. Through providing training, developing software, and conducting research with independent and non-profit organizations, Check Global aspires to improve digital media literacy, foster credibility of online information, and debunk online misinformation. Focus areas: developing software and digital tools, training of journalists, fostering collaboration between grassroots organisations and journalists, production | The Check NAWA Newsroom, which provides training and an educational news platform to journalism students in Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, and Yemen. These students are trained on open-source investigation techniques and fact-checking, and are given the opportunity to build newsrooms and collaborate on local or cross-country investigations. Independent media organizations like openDemocracy, Mada Masr, Sowt, Megaphone, and the Public Source have been enlisted for editorial and training support. Through the NAWA Investigative Fund, we provide microgrants to NAWA-based independent media organizations and workers to implement their investigative projects. More recently, we've wrapped up our global COVID-19 Microgrant project, having supported four organizations in the region. | Following the explosion on the 4 August 2020, and to support independent media workers, Meedan provided a $26,000 fund to support Lebanon’s independent media organizations and workers ($10,000 of this has gone toward the Samir Kassir Foundation’s Lebanon Media Recovery Fund). | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
34 | Dima Saber | Impact Assessment Lead | |||||||||||||||||||||||
35 | Maharat Foundation | Roula Mikhael | Founder and Executive Director | Established in 2004, Maharat Foundation supports on the advancement of freedom of expression and access to information in Lebanon and the MENA Region. Focus areas: Freedom of expression, Supporting Independent media platforms, Media Development, Access to Information and Accountability | As a non- profit organization, Maharat Foundation focuses on enhancing the values of free speech and human rights through strengthening a culture of accountability, independence, policies of freedom of expression in Lebanon, and fostering the engagement of communities and partners on issues related to the freedom of expression and human rights. October 26th meeting: The Digital Media Viability Lab is a Maharat Foundation's initiative supported by DW Akademie, which aims to connect the new media startups in the Arab world with experts who will provide consultancy, services, and knowledge to foster independent and viable quality journalism in the Mena region. Education: collaboration with schools and universities to improve the media skills of the young generation and for better media development. Media literacy: Fact-checking program to raise awareness about the challenges of fake news and disinformation. May 2021 "Media Trends in Time of Change" study. This study seeks to know the trends of means of information and communication in Lebanon in this transition phase, about a year after the start of the October 17 protests, to know the extent of its follow-up of the demands of the revolution, especially the pursuit of the desired change, the fight against corruption, education on public affairs, including democratic change through elections. It includes specific time periods and specific milestones extending from October 17, 2019 until November 2020. It revolves around 7 topics: The study revolves around 7 topics: • First: The media's concerns regarding the parliamentary elections • Second: The demands of the October 17 Movement in television coverage • Third: Monitoring women's representations in the media and their political participation • Fourth: Monitoring the priorities of traditional and alternative media • Fifth: The media's interest in corruption issues • Sixth: The union and student elections covered by traditional and alternative media • Seventh: New influencers and media figures through social platforms Here are the links: http://maharatfoundation.org/mediatrendsstudy2021 Executive Summary in English: http://maharatfoundation.info/media/1892/study-2021-summary-en.pdf Fact Sheet in English: http://maharatfoundation.info/media/1896/media-trends-sheet-2021.pdf | Following the explosion on 4 August 2020, Maharat Foundation sent a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, expressing its concerns over “serious violations of public freedoms and access to information”. The Foundation urges the necessity of the right to information and protection of journalists, through its calls for immediate and independent investigations. | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||
36 | Layal Bahnam | Program Manager | Yes | Yes A resource on legal environment for media start-ups (Maharat and DWA): http://maharatfoundation.org/media/1531/الشركات-الاعلامية-الناشئة.pdf http://maharatfoundation.org/media/1515/final-study-start-up_en.pdf A Study on the Alternative Media Platfroms in Lebanon by Maharat, AlJana and DWA http://maharatfoundation.org/media/1883/study-on-alternative-media-in-lebanon.pdf | |||||||||||||||||||||
37 | SMEX | Mohamad Najem | Executive Director | Registered as a Lebanese NGO and located in Beirut, Social Media Exchange (SMEX) promotes the digital rights in Lebanon and the Arab region through research, campaigns, and advocacy. SMEX encourages people to engage critically with digital technologies. | Through blog posts, training, conferences, campaigns, and advocacy, SMEX asserts the notion that the Internet is a public space made for all and commits to keeping the Internet accessible and free. October 26th meeting: initiatives in Lebanon- Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression The launch of Bread&Net2020 between Dec 1-4 2020, which is a conference that will strengthen efforts and promote digital rightsacross the MENA region www.breadandnet.org | In the wake of 4 August 2020 explosion in Beirut, SMEX took the initiative to offer its services and experience in open data to organizations and individuals interested in the task of distributing humanitarian aid to people. | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
38 | Thomson Foundation | Dominique Thierry | Team Leader/OPEN Media Hub | With a network of more than 200 media professionals, Thomson Foundation helps promote standards of journalism and communication through supporting independent media and providing the share of contemporary media skills. Thomson Foundation collaborates with media, governments, civil society, and commercial organisations to create a positive change in public engagement and governance. Focus areas: Training, Media Development, E-learning | OPEN Media Hub: the project provides training media professionals across the EU Neighbourhood area to improve reporting skills in critical areas such as migration, energy and terrorism. 2018: Enhanced the skills and storytelling of Lebanese, Syrian and Yemeni photojournalists, and help them tell stories about their own countries through their pictures. 2017: Training to increase women's political participation in Lebanon. October 26th meeting: Thomson Foundation's OPEN Media Hub has online courses on safety, in Arabic and 3 other languages, free of charge, certified, including on COVID related safety: https://openmediahub.com/ar/e-learning/ | Assistance to Megaphone, Maharat, Daraj, Road2Film and Fawra with mentoring and postproduction funding | Yes | Yes resource shared during the meeting: Thomson Media's 2020 annual report https://indd.adobe.com/view/3ad9770c-dc72-4689-87d9-ff2606159f4c | |||||||||||||||||
39 | Tania Thorngreen | MENA projects manager | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||
40 | David Quin | Director of Development | |||||||||||||||||||||||
41 | Open Society Foundations | Edward Pittman | Senior Programme Officer | The Open Society Foundations is a grantmaking foundation that provides funds for independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights. Supporting projects in more than 120 countries around the globe, the Open Society Foundations is the largest private human rights funder in the world. | Middle East and North Africa Program: This program supports efforts to improve government transparency, human rights, independent media, and the arts through programs such as: - Providing investigative journalism training for reporters - Documenting and exposing human rights violations - Increasing access to legal aid for migrant and indigent communities | Lebanon Media Recovery Fund contributor | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||
42 | JJ Robinson | Program Officer | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
43 | Elisa Juega | Program Specialist | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
44 | Carlos Lauria | Team Leader, Free and Safe Journalism | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||
45 | Rama Halaseh | Program, Civil Society Engagement Officer | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
46 | Rania Berro | Media Program Manager | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
47 | UNESCO | Georges Awad | Media Program Manager | Founded in 1945, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations aimed at promoting world peace, fostering sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue among civilizations. UNESCO works to attain these goals through investing in quality education and sciences, promoting cultural heritage, strengthening bonds of communication and information among nations. UNESCO enhances the freedom of expression for healthy and democratic development through the support of programs that advance the free sharing of ideas and knowledge. Focus areas: Protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions, mobilizing science for sustainable development, building knowledge through the free flow of information. | As a specialized UN agency, UNESCO's work in Lebanon focus on the following areas: Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and Safety of Journalists. This is done at policy, Academia and all the way to grassroot level to capacity building targeting journalists, youth, women as well as marginalized groups. We stress on creation partnership, share local and international experiences and empower local actors. UNESCO are also working on Media and Information Literacy addressed to decision makers, teachers, students and youth in general | Following 4 August 2020 explosion, UNESCO launched the Beirut recovery fund for the support of education and culture in Lebanon, through assisting in the “rehabilitation of schools, historic heritage buildings, museums and the creative economy”. Lebanon Media Recovery Fund contributor | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||
48 | ICFJ | Jennifer Dorroh | Senior Program Director | Located in the USA, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is a nonprofit organization that has worked since 1984 with more than 150,000 journalists from 180 countries. The ICFJ aims to increase the reliability and trustworthiness in the news sector for building healthy and democratic communities. The ICFJ offers training, workshops and, fellowships to reporters and media professionals around the globe to raise the quality of journalism worldwide. Focus areas: news innovation, promoting media laws, enhancing news coverage, advancing storytelling skills. | Among our projects in the region: In partnership with the Facebook Journalism Project, ICFJ equips journalists in the Middle East and North Africa with the latest tools to sort fact from fiction online and use social media to support quality journalism. The IJNet Arabic Mentoring Center, a program of ICFJ, gives digital media entrepreneurs the skills and resources they need to take their startups to the next level in one of the world’s most challenging regions for journalists. Our ICFJ Knight Fellow Amr Eleraqi works with ARIJ on a data journalism training program and guiding journalists across the MENA region in the production of evidence-based investigative storytelling. | In the two months following the blast, with support from the Facebook Journalism Project, ICFJ awarded $125,000 in emergency funds to Lebanese journalists news organizations that were directly affected by the blast. In the next phase of the program, ICFJ is developing training and support to increase availability of reliable news and information in Beirut. | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
49 | Tabitha Richmond | Program Officer | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
50 | Fatima Bahja | Research and proposal coordinator | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||
51 | DRL | Negina Sawez | Created in 1977, the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) helps advance individual liberty and democratic freedoms around the world. DRL promotes the rule of law and individual rights through standing for the freedoms of religion, speech, and the press, and the rights of people to assemble and to petition their government. Working with international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, and engaged citizens, DRL aims to establish stable, prosperous, and democratic states. | DRL publishes and submits annual country reports on Human Rights Practices, which provides information on human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the 2019 report on 'Human Rights Practices: Lebanon" | |||||||||||||||||||||
52 | Rabeh Ghadban | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
53 | ARIJ | Bissane Al Cheikh | Executive Editor | Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) is a media organization dedicated to promoting investigative journalism across the Arab world. Founded in 2005, ARIJ aims to support independent quality professional journalism through media training, mentoring, funding, and networking opportunities with local and international partners. Focus areas: Investigative Journalism, offline and online training, promoting transparency, accountability, and diversity of views. | Since its launch, ARIJ has trained over 2,800 journalists, media professors, and students. ARIJ has participated in establishing investigative units in Jordan, Tunisia, Palestine, Yemen, Egypt, and Lebanon. Supervision: Supervised the broadcast/publishing of over 600 investigative reports. Awards: Won 60 international Arab awards | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
54 | Munir Al Khatib | Managing Editor | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
55 | OCCRP | Rana Sabbagh | Senior Editor for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) | Founded in 2006, the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project is a non-profit media organization that works as an investigative reporting platform to expose crime and corruption so the public can hold power to account. Through a global network of independent media centers and journalists, OCCRP is committed to journalistic ethics and transnational investigative reporting by offering media outlets and journalists critical resources and tools for collaborative, secure data-driven investigations. | OCCRP collaborates with the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) on investigations in the Arab region. Two examples of with OCCRP's our Daraj founders on lack of transparency and corruption: https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/lebanons-offshore-governor#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20world's%20longest,winning%20unanimous%20backing%20for%20reappointment https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/a-hidden-tycoon-african-explosives-and-a-loan-from-a-notorious-bank-questionable-connections-surround-beirut-explosion-shipment Additionally, the OCCRP has recently also conducted several investigations with Daraj and Jadeed TV reporters iad Kobeissi and Feras Hatoum. They are titled 'Ownership of Chemicals that Exploded at Beirut Port Traced Back to Ukraine', 'Lebanon's Offshore Governor', and 'Offshore Firm Tied To Lebanon Central Bank Governor Sold Stock to Bank He Regulates.' These latter two investigations have lead to six investigations by European states into Riad Salame's offshore assets. | OCCRP, in collaboration with ARIJ, is running a four day workshop on follow the money trail (cross-border corruption). The workshop will be held online March 19-2-, and March 26-27 0930-1700. We have top trainers from OCCRP, and from Finance Uncovered. Please circulate the word and let me le know if anyone likes to have his name added to the training so ARIJ Academy team can sent password and other details after registration — Rana Sabbaghplease send names to rana@occrp.org | Yes | Yes resource shared during the meeting: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/3/15/the-long-road-ahead-for-arab-journalists-and-free-speech | |||||||||||||||||
56 | Media Association for Peace (MAP) | Vanessa Bassil | Founder and President | The Media Association for Peace (MAP) is a non-profit youth organization, and a leading NGO in the field of peace journalism in Lebanon and the MENA region. Founded in 2013, it is specialized in the training and advocacy on the role of the media in peacebuilding, conflict transformation and social change. MAP believes that the media play a fundamental role in the peace building process in conflict and post-conflict areas by supporting and promoting human rights, freedom of expression, gender equality, dialogue, citizenship, peace, reconciliation and social justice. Focus areas: capacity development, advocacy, reserach, media production and partnerships formation. | MAP conducts training courses in Lebanon, Yemen, Libya, and Iraq, qualifying hundreds of young men and women journalists in conflict-sensitive, rights-based and solutions-oriented reporting. Additionally, it organizes annually in Beirut a regional media conference covering different peace media approaches. Moreover, it publishes web articles and video reports that reflect the practice of peace journalism. MAP also consults for UN agencies, CBOs and INGOs on peace-related media projects. | Following Beirut blast, MAP has provided psychological support to its network of young journalists who've been directly or indirectly affected by the explosion through regular group meetings and solidarity sessions. | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
57 | Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GC4HR) | Khalid Ibrahim | Executive Director and co-Founder | The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) is an independent, non-profit NGO that provides support and protection to human rights defenders (HRDs) in order to promote human rights, including but not limited to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. | GCHR is based in Lebanon and documents the environment for HRDs in the Gulf region and neighbouring countries, specifically Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. GCHR was founded in 2011. | ||||||||||||||||||||
58 | European Union Delegation in Lebanon | Tatiana Hosny Richa | Press and Information Officer | The European Union (EU) is an economic and political partnership between 28 European countries. It plays an important role in international affairs through diplomacy, trade, development aid and working with global organisations. Abroad, the EU is represented through more than 140 diplomatic representations, known also as EU Delegations, which have a similar function to those of an embassy. | The EU Delegation to the Republic of Lebanon represents the EU in Lebanon. The Delegation's role is to coordinate locally the action of the EU and the Member States accredited to Lebanon. It engages in political, social and economic development activities on behalf of the European Union and based on the most pressing needs of Lebanon. | In the aftermath of the explosions the EU provided emergency support and humanitarian assistance via various programmes and partners in Lebanon. With regards to the journalism and media sector, the EU funds various regional programmes in the Middle East and North Africa region to support independent media, training, media development and youth participation in the media sector. Annually the EU supports the Samir Kassir Award for freedom of the press open to journalists from 18 eligible countries in the Middle East and North Africa, implemented by the Samir Kassir Foundation. | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
59 | Elizabeth Lanzi Mazzocchini | Communications Officer | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
60 | Erich Brost Institute for International Journalism Technical University Dortmund | Isabella Kurkowski | Program Manager | The Erich Brost Institute provides journalism students at Dortmund University with an international perspective by offering seminars in international media systems and journalism cultures, field trips abroad, and by inviting international guests. Furthermore, the Erich Brost Institute is also actively involved in the education of international journalists in developing countries and societies in transformation as a counselor on curriculum development and with research activities. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes resource shared during the meeting: the Technical University Dortmund report "Media Accountability in the MENA region" (February 2020), which covers 9 MENA countries, including Lebanon (authors: Ayman Mhanna and Karim Safieddine): https://journalistik.tu-dortmund.de/fileadmin/user_upload/MEDIA_ACCOUNTABILITY_IN_THE_MENA_REGION_English.pdf | |||||||||||||||||
61 | Lebanese media representatives that took part in March 16th 2021 meeting | Beirut Today Laudy Issa | Managing Editor | https://beirut-today.com We seek to create a hub for innovators and passionate writers, community media crowd funded,Beirut Today is also funded by the people, and it belongs to the people. The newspaper relies on subscriptions from individuals who join it as shareholders: Every subscriber becomes a shareholder and can have a say in how Beirut Today works. By democratizing its funding and shareholder structure, Beirut Today is guaranteed to always be independent and free from financial and political influence. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | |||||||||||||||||
62 | L'Orient-Le Jour Michel Helou | Executive Director | https://www.lorientlejour.com L’Orient-Le Jour, the only Lebanese French-language daily, was born on June 15, 1971 from the merger of two newspapers, L’Orient (founded in Beirut in 1924) and Le Jour (founded in Beirut in 1934). It is headed by Nayla de Freige. L’Orient Today is the English-language news service from Groupe L’Orient-Le Jour. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes resources shared during the meeting: annual report (FR): https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1249737/au-sortir-dune-annee-noire-de-nombreuses-promesses-pour-lorient-le-jour-.html annual report (EN): https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1249816/at-the-end-of-a-grim-year-the-lorient-le-jour-group-looks-to-a-promising-future.html https://www.lorientlejour.com/newsletters | ||||||||||||||||||
63 | Nida Al-Watan Ali El-Husseini | Journalist | https://www.nidaalwatan.com Daily newspaper Nida’ al Watan | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
64 | Nida Al-Watan Jamale Rassi | Project Manager | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
65 | NOW Jean-Pierre Katrib | Managing Director | NOW News was a Beirut-based Lebanese news website focused on the Middle East founded in late 2012 and published in both English and Arabic by M Publishing SAL. It used to be known as NOW Lebanon. The site offered reports, news, features, and analysis on Lebanon, the Lebanese diaspora and the Middle East. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
66 | Daraj Alia Ibrahim | co-founder and CEO | https://daraj.com Daraj is an independent digital media platform created by experienced journalists. Our goal is to offer Arabic speakers an alternative kind of journalism, free from political funding and influence, which controls other mainstream Arab media institutions. We are committed to making the access to truth a priority, through professional and ethical journalism. We publish investigative pieces, op-eds and feature stories in a variety of formats: written, visuals, video, and audio. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
67 | Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International LBCI Pierre El-Daher | Chairman | https://www.lbcgroup.tv The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International, widely known as LBCI, is the first private television station in Lebanon LBCI was founded in 1992 by acquiring the assets, liabilities and logo of LBC, an entity founded in 1985 during the Lebanese Civil WarLBCI went global in 1996 when it launched LBC EUROPE covering the Arab World and Europe, LBC AMERICA in the American continent and LBC AUSTRALIA in Asia and Australia It recently launched an entertainment channel in Lebanon, LB2. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
68 | Public Source Lara Bitar | Founding Editor | https://thepublicsource.org We conceived The Public Source as a platform for in-depth, long-form accountability journalism. Comictern is a platform for politically-charged fictional and non-fictional comics.Sarreb (Ya Sha3bi),a whistleblowing platform hosting secure and anonymous communication channels, sources motivated to help us further this mission can share information and documents worthy of public exposure.The Public Source is founded on principles of non-hierarchy, voluntary and temporary association, and mutual aid. Our organizational structure is core to our vision of setting a model for local and independent accountability journalism. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
69 | Phoenix Daily Sarah El-Abd | Editor In Chief | https://www.thephoenixdaily.net The Phoenix Daily commits itself to challenging the conception of neutrality in Lebanon. As passionate, intellectual, academic, and journalistic writers we strive to provide Lebanon with news, analyses, and opinions on the most prominent matters of Lebanese and International affairs. We are a national Lebanese independent newspaper covering national & international affairs in Arabic, English, and French. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
70 | Political Pen Pierre Nahas | https://politicalpen.org We are a group of young Lebanese, from different backgrounds and beliefs, dreaming of a better future for our country, our families, and ourselves. | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||
71 | Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) | Mira Milosevic | Executive Director | Established in 2005, the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) is an international network of around 200 journalism support and media development organisations working across more than 70 countries. As a not-for-profit, Belgian-registered ASBL, GFMD’s main focus is to foster collaboration as well as an exchange of information and experience amongst our members and partners with the aim to foster viable and independent journalism, greater transparency, and more pluralistic and sustainable media environments. | GFMD has four members based in Lebanon: Maharat Foundation, MAP Lebanon (Media Association for Peace), Samir Kassir Foundation (SKeyes) and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GC4HR). Other GFMD members attending the meeting include: Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), Canal France International (CFI), DW Akademie, Free Press Unlimited (FPU), International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ), International Media Support (IMS), Internews, Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Thomson Foundation. | Following the uprising in Lebanon since late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic and its ramifications on independent media and FoE and most importantly the Beirut port blast, IMS, GFMD, SKeyes and local actors recognise a need to coordinate efforts, initiatives and international support into a collective collaboration. To this end, GFMD is engaged in an effort to establish a joint coordination mechanism. | Yes | Yes resource shared during the meeting: Membership Puzzle Project - has an excellent guide for membership models in media: https://membershipguide.org/ | |||||||||||||||||
72 | Tom Law | Policy Advisor | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||
73 | Ivana Bjelic Vucinic | Programme and Project Manager | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||
74 | Chaimae Boulifa Salome Beyer | Interns | Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||||||||||
75 | *meeting co-organised by GFMD and SKeyes and supported by IMS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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