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The Tickle File is ftm's daily column of media news, complimenting the feature articles on major media issues. Tickle File items point out media happenings, from the oh-so serious to the not-so serious, that should not escape notice...in a shorter, more informal format.
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Protests have broken out across the world. Some are peaceful; many accompanied with violence. From Hong Kong to Chile, Ecuador and Haiti to Indonesia, Syria and Iraq people are “singing songs and carrying signs,” sometimes throwing things. Also taking to the highways and streets are Dutch farmers and - still - the French “yellow jackets.” There is an appearance, largely ascribed by soundbyte reporting, that these are interconnected incidents. After all, in the headlines and the nightly news it all looks like rage.
Lebanon has been rocked by protests in recent weeks, mostly over sour economics, corruption complaints and the historically disjointed government. Reporting all this, the country’s news media has divided, splintered and divided again. Protestors blame them, too.
Lebanon’s media sector is robust and generally considered the region’s most free from constraint. Most traditional outlets have been around for years, several noted internationally for reporting. All are politically aligned editorially. Widely-read daily Al Akhbar, for example, generally speaks for the government and the Hezbollah movement, one of several in politically diverse Lebanon. (See more about media in the Middle East and North Africa region here)
Initially, Al Akhbar’s editorial position was supportive of the protests, though local observers suggest the government’s interest in co-opting the movement. That did not work out well as protest organizers refused to take the bait. Al Akhbar shifted stance on the protesters, claiming “foreign interference,” noted Middle East Eye (November 6). This led to a stream of the newspaper’s reporters and editors walking out, at least seven, including well-regarded economics editor Mohamad Zbib.
Unsurprisingly, Lebanon’s protesters are totally informed through social media. They even call it the “Whatsapp Revolution.” Disinformation, though, has easily crept in. So, too, is crowdfunding. And it all happens quickly, running circles around the country’s traditional news media.
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