Amman / PNN / Monjed Jadou 

The second "Qarib" programme conference, aimed at supporting independent media in four Arab countries—Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon—concluded with a series of specialized workshops on the role and status of media in these nations. 

Organized by the French Media Development Agency (CFI) and funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), the event featured in-depth discussions on how independent media can strengthen societies and enhance their resilience. Among the participants was journalist Monjed Jadou, who attended as a representative of one of the 30 media institutions benefiting from the Qareeb project across the four countries.

Conference Recommendations

During the workshops and discussions, participants put forward several recommendations to reinforce the role of independent media. One key outcome was the consensus on the need to urge the French Development Agency to continue its support, given the positive impact this backing has had on independent media. Participants expressed hope that the Qareeb programmer’s administration would convey this message to the relevant authorities.

Discussions also emphasized the importance of collaboration between partner platforms within the Qareeb programme—both at the national level within individual countries and through cross-border cooperation among media outlets in the four participating nations. The aim is to establish regional Arab media alliances that unify efforts, increase audience engagement, and amplify the impact of coverage, particularly on shared regional issues.

Another focal point of the discussions was the need for independent media institutions to gradually reduce reliance on grants and work towards financial self-sufficiency. Participants highlighted successful models of media organizations that have managed to sustain themselves through investments in training, production, and media promotion at a regional level. 

Strategies suggested included forming paid partnerships with civil society organisations, introducing subscription-based models and voluntary contributions, and launching a regional independent media fund. Additionally, media institutions were encouraged to collaborate on securing advertising contracts with major international companies seeking to expand into partner countries.

The Role of Independent Media in Times of War

The first day of workshops featured presentations by Diana Mokaled from the Beirut-based platform Daraj, Monia Dweik from Roya TV in Palestine, Zouhair Deeb from Lebanon’s Manateq, and Anmar Akram from Iraq’s Radio Al-Ghad.

 These sessions covered various aspects of independent journalism, including its crucial role in wartime, particularly in amplifying the voices of citizens and shedding light on human suffering through storytelling.

The workshops also explored key topics such as journalist safety, balancing coverage with team security, and sharing experiences from journalists working in conflict zones like Palestine and Lebanon. Speakers engaged in discussions with independent media managers from the four countries, addressing ethical considerations in covering the war in Gaza, dealing with political bias and censorship, and best practices for conflict-sensitive journalism.

Participants examined how media organizations can maintain credibility amid polarization and rapidly evolving events. A significant point of discussion was how the Gaza war has altered journalistic practices and perceptions of media ethics. Questions were raised about whether the failure of some major media outlets to uphold ethical and professional standards should prompt a departure from international media norms. However, there was near-unanimous agreement on the necessity of maintaining these standards to ensure accountability for those who violate them, particularly given that a majority of international media outlets have adhered to ethical reporting principles.

Workshops and Sessions on Media Funding

A special workshop was held with Yves Guicquero, the Regional Director of the French Development Agency (AFD), to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation with the agency. The session included an overview of AFD’s work in the region, followed by a Q&A session moderated by Hamza Dridi. Questions focused on potential collaborations, continued funding for independent media institutions and networks, and exploring successful models of self-financing.

Guicquero highlighted that AFD operates with an annual budget of €12 billion, allocated according to the French government’s priorities based on the economic conditions and needs of different countries. He explained that AFD provides financial support through two mechanisms: loans and grants. Loans are directed towards countries with stable economies that can sustain investment through soft financing, while grants are prioritised for economically struggling nations.

Regarding media funding, Guicquero stated that AFD is actively involved in the Middle East, particularly in Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, and Lebanon. While the agency does not currently operate in Syria and Yemen, it continues to assess the situation in these countries and may expand its support in the future.

He further noted that AFD has allocated €10 million over five years to support independent media in the Middle East through the Qareeb project. He also expressed gratitude to the French Media Development Agency (CFI) for its collaboration, alongside other media initiatives such as Reporters Without Borders and Radio Al-Salam in Iraq.

No Money, No Honey: The Challenge of Media Sustainability

Given the critical importance of media funding, the conference included an extensive workshop titled "No Money, No Honey." This session focused on sustainability and financial strategies, a long-standing challenge that has become even more urgent amid the rise of right-wing policies in Western donor countries, leading to budget cuts that many independent media outlets have historically relied upon.

Discussions addressed the evolving advertising market, which has become highly politicized and often unreliable as a funding source. Experts explored alternative financial strategies for independent media, such as developing national and regional funding mechanisms, examining the feasibility of crowdfunding, and identifying the challenges that come with these approaches.

Speakers also shared case studies on self-financing models, including paywalls, media service offerings, and television production. The panel featured Fouad Khoury-Hallou, Director of L’Orient-Le Jour in Lebanon, and Jean Qassir from Lebanon’s Megaphone platform, with Henrik Ahrens of CFI moderating the discussion.

The Future of Independent Media Funding

Henrik Ahrens, Director of the French Media Development Agency (CFI), provided a sobering assessment of the financial outlook for independent media. He noted that, following remarks by the AFD’s regional director, the funding landscape appears to be shifting, with reductions and suspensions varying from country to country. He cited decisions by the Trump administration to halt media funding, which were subsequently followed by other Western nations—an alarming trend driven by the rise of right-wing governments.

Ahrens explained that some donor nations have moved towards halting development aid across all sectors, raising concerns about the future of public-interest journalism. He warned that if more right-wing governments come to power in upcoming elections, further reductions in media funding are likely.

Although the Qarib programme is set to continue until mid-2026, financial cutbacks will increase competition for remaining funding. Ahrens emphasised the importance of fostering dialogue to develop long-term self-financing mechanisms for independent media.

Workshops on Audience Growth, Data Analytics, and Fact-Checking

The second half of the conference featured evening workshops focused on audience expansion and digital marketing strategies. Experts discussed best practices for leveraging digital tools, engaging target audiences, and enhancing online visibility.

Panelists included Mohammed Al-Basem from Iraq’s Yalla platform, Jean Qassir from Megaphone Lebanon, and Rana Sweis from Jordan’s Wishbox Media. 

The session was moderated by Leila Khaled from CFI, who guided discussions on how independent media can use data-driven strategies to boost growth and credibility in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

Fact-Checking and Combating Misinformation

Mohammed Al-Hashemi, director of Iraq’s Media Reach platform, presented a tool designed to track audience engagement and generate insights to inform editorial decisions. Developed by Iraq’s Radio Al-Ghad, the tool addresses fact-checking and new content regulations implemented by platforms such as X, Facebook, and TikTok.

The first day concluded with a workshop on fact-checking tools and platforms, led by Kayed Mi’ari, co-founder of the Palestinian fact-checking and media literacy observatory Kashif. Mi’ari discussed the impact of fact-checking on independent media in the region, highlighting how verifying information has helped mitigate social crises on multiple occasions.

Mi’ari also outlined models for the spread of harmful content, hate speech, and misinformation in the Arab world. He emphasised that fact-checking has played a crucial role in providing the public with accurate information and has helped navigate societal crises in various instances.

Additionally, Mi’ari urged media organisations to adopt fact-checking observatories such as Kashif, explaining that collaborating with these initiatives would help prevent errors and editorial missteps.

AI in Journalism: Opportunities and Ethical Concerns

The second day of the conference featured discussions on the role of media in combating corruption through constructive journalism and the integration of artificial intelligence in news production.

Peter Obeid, a Lebanese media professional, led a workshop on AI tools in journalism, moderated by Qassem Khudair from Qareeb. The session was based on a Qareeb survey, which revealed that while AI is a central topic for media organisations, its implementation remains in the experimental phase, with no established structural policies.

Obeid noted the absence of clear regulatory frameworks for AI in journalism and examined available tools and their practical applications in news production. Participants also debated ethical concerns, questioning the boundaries of AI usage in journalism and its implications for Arabic-language media.

The Power of Storytelling in News Media

Another key session focused on storytelling as a crucial component of successful journalism. Panellists explored how to transform events and topics into compelling narratives, audience engagement strategies, and best practices for humanising news stories.

The workshop was led by Hayah Ouda from Lebanon’s No2Ta, Komi Melhem from the regional platform Khatt30, Tala Al-Sharif from Palestine’s Nisaa Al-Kamera, and Ayman Sharouf from the regional media outlet Raseef22, with moderation by journalist Nada Abdelsamad.

Restrictions on Press Freedom and Covering Corruption

The conference concluded with a session on the legal and regulatory obstacles hindering independent journalism in the region. Panelists included Monjed Jadou, editor-in-chief of Palestine News Network (PNN), Dolfan Bawari from Iraq’s Nirij media outlet, Azad Osman from Kurdistan’s Deng Radio, and Hayat Morshed from Lebanon’s Walkin.

The discussion highlighted the various restrictions imposed on press freedom across Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon. In Jordan, stringent cybercrime and defamation laws severely limit free expression. In Iraq, despite constitutional protections, independent journalism remains a high-risk profession due to security threats. In Palestine, political persecution, arrests, and platform restrictions hinder journalists from reporting on Israeli policies and local governance issues in both the West Bank and Gaza.

Participants examined cross-border collaboration as a means of strengthening independent journalism, emphasizing joint production and shared distribution of investigative content on corruption and governance.

A Platform for Independent Media

Speaking at the opening of the conference, CFI Director Henrik Ahrens welcomed attendees and outlined the objectives of Qareeb. Nada Abdelsamad, Qarib’s programme director, expressed enthusiasm at the opportunity to engage with journalists, particularly those from Palestine. She highlighted the increasing threats to independent media and the need for an open discussion on the challenges facing the sector.

Abdelsamad also pointed to financial sustainability as a major concern, particularly given the sensitive timing of the conference. She noted that the programme was designed with input from partner organizations, incorporating feedback from pre-event surveys to tailor sessions to media professionals' needs.

The Qarib conference continues to serve as a vital platform for fostering collaboration and innovation among independent media in the Arab world, aiming to strengthen press freedom and ethical journalism across the region.