Resources for Lebanon
This page contains resources for Lebanese media. If you know of any resources that are not yet listed here, please feel free to reach out and share them with us.
For crisis and emergency funding, see Crisis/emergency funding in the left-hand menu.
For funding opportunities, visit the GFMD website.
For an Arabic translation of this Guide, see the Arabic MediaDev Fundraising Guide.
Samir Kassir Foundation
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.
Emergency Journalist Assistance Fund
Since October 2023, Lebanese journalists have faced immense dangers while covering the ongoing conflict, with five media professionals killed and many others wounded by Israeli forces. The situation worsened on September 23, 2024, with one of the largest air raids by the Israeli army, forcing over a million residents to flee from South Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut’s southern suburbs.
In response to these dire conditions, the Samir Kassir Foundation (SKF) has launched the Emergency Journalist Assistance Fund to support over 130 journalists who have been displaced and lack adequate insurance, aiming to cover medical expenses and provide essential relief.
The Emergency Journalist Assistance fund is structured to cover the following needs:
Housing assistance, for journalists who had to evacuate their home and those whose houses were destroyed. Priority goes to those who have not found any shelter, those who are in public shelters, those who are in private but over-crowded locations, and those who cannot afford ever-increasing rent.
Medical support to wounded, uninsured journalists, especially freelancers, including follow-up needs (physiotherapy, prosthetics, medication) as well as those requiring treatment for chronic conditions.
Trauma and psychological support.
Equipment replacement in case of damaged laptops, cameras, transmitters, owned by the journalists and essential for their work.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), in partnership with the SKeyes Foundation, has launched a new "Regional Press Freedom Center" in Beirut, for the protection and support of journalists.
Journalists covering the conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, and the region can now rent protective gear and receive psychological support thanks to the initiative of the NGO in partnership with SKeyes.
As the conflict continues, RSF, in partnership with the SKeyes Foundation, has decided to mobilize to support journalists in the region covering the war in Gaza, as well as in Lebanon and neighbouring countries. Journalists can rent equipment for a minimal deposit and receive necessary support for safe reporting. This initiative was launched in response to the increasing dangers journalists face in conflict zones, with over 100 journalists killed in Gaza in recent months and several more injured or killed in Lebanon. RSF aims to ensure journalists receive proper training, insurance, and equipment to safely report on regional events.
How to apply: Journalists wishing to receive assistance from RSF's Regional Press Freedom Center can do so by contacting the following email address: beirutpfc@rsf.org.
IJNet's Resources and Tips for Journalists Covering the Lebanon War
Amidst the ongoing war in Lebanon, which has resulted in significant casualties and displacements, journalists face numerous challenges while reporting under dangerous conditions. The International Journalists Network (IJNet) provides essential guidelines to support journalists navigating these difficult circumstances.
Key recommendations include:
Preparing for Displacement: Journalists are advised to pack an essential backpack containing critical items such as ID documents, technical tools, personal protection gear, and medical supplies. This ensures they can continue reporting safely if forced to relocate.
Safety During Gunfire and Air Strikes: Guidelines on how to protect oneself in case of shootings or air strikes, whether outdoors, in a vehicle, or indoors, are outlined. Immediate actions include hiding, crawling, and moving to safer locations depending on the situation.
Password Management: Journalists should keep their passwords secure and accessible, either by storing them in a personal notebook or using reliable password management tools. This helps prevent data access issues, especially when using new devices.
Physical and Mental Health: Maintaining both physical and psychological well-being is vital during displacement. The IJNet suggests accessing online first aid courses and mental health resources to help manage stress and trauma. Keeping hygiene a priority is also recommended to avoid illness.
Fact-Checking: Journalists should have basic fact-checking skills to avoid spreading misinformation during crises. This is especially important as misinformation can affect the safety and decisions of affected populations.
Leveraging Professional Networks: Professional relationships can be instrumental in providing support, shelter, or equipment during emergencies. Journalists should maintain communication with colleagues and use their networks for logistical and emotional support.
By following these guidelines, journalists can better prepare for the challenges of covering the Lebanon war while protecting their safety and mental health.
Maharat Foundation
Maharat Foundation is a women-led freedom of expression organization based in Beirut dedicated to campaigns grounded in research and strengthening connections between journalists, academics, and policy makers.
It advances and enables freedom of expression, quality information debate and advocates for information integrity online and offline. Maharat promotes innovation and engages the journalistic community and change agents within Lebanon and the wider, MENA region to promote inclusive narratives and debates and to counter misinformation, disinformation, and harmful content. Among its initiatives, Maharat Foundation has produced critical reports that shed light on the challenges facing journalists in Lebanon. These reports provide an in-depth look into the threats and difficulties these journalists encounter:
A War Without Red Lines: Threats and Risks Facing Journalists in Lebanon
In this report, Maharat Foundation documents the experiences of journalists during the war, presenting details of the suffering endured by these individuals who are now paying the price for their commitment to conveying the truth. The report provides an overview of the field and legal obstacles that hinder journalists' roles in promoting transparency and disseminating reliable information, concluding with practical recommendations aimed at enhancing the protection of journalists and ensuring accountability for crimes targeting them.
Challenges in Media Coverage of the Israeli War on Lebanon
In this report, Maharat examines the dynamics of the media war taking place in Lebanon surrounding Israel’s military offensive against Hezbollah. It underscores the importance each conflicting party assigns to media as a tool for psychological warfare—a phenomenon observed in conflicts worldwide, where each side seeks to control propaganda and impose its narrative to sway public opinion. The report also explores the difficulties journalists encounter when covering wars and crises, where reporting under such conditions becomes significantly challenging.
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