In 2023 and 2024, Maharat Foundation, in collaboration with the European Media and Journalism Research Center, published 12 research papers on policies, standards, and best practices governing the media environment and advancing the media sector in a rapidly evolving digital world.

These papers were developed through an academic exchange program that brought together Lebanese and European academics, aiming to enrich public discussions on reforming the legal framework governing media in Lebanon to align with principles of freedom of expression.

This exchange is part of Maharat’s ongoing efforts to reform media laws and is conducted within the framework of the "Media Reform to Enhance Freedom of Expression in Lebanon" project. This project is being implemented by Maharat Foundation in partnership with  Legal Agenda, and the Media and Journalism Research Center, with the support of the European Union in Lebanon.

The project seeks to establish standards to advance the media sector by enhancing freedom of expression, protecting journalists, and developing public policies that support the sustainability of the media sector and foster innovation. This is being achieved through national research seminars and the preparation of policy papers tailored to the Lebanese context and aligned with the international standards to which Lebanon is committed.

The local team of scholars included six academics from various Lebanese universities, including:

- Dr. Ali Mourad

- Dr. Wafaa Abou Chakra

- Dr. Maria Bou Zeid

- Dr. Asssad Sadaka

- Dr. Ali Rammal

- Dr. Nidal Ayoub

The European team consisted of six academics and journalists from various institutions, including:

- Dr. Judith Pies, researcher and lecturer in journalism and international media project management

- Attila Mong, journalist and representative of the Global Press Freedom Organization in Europe

- Dr. Kristina Rozgonyi, professor at the University of Vienna

- Dr. Andrei Richter, researcher and professor in media law and journalism at the European Media and Journalism Research Center

- Dr. Minna Aslama Horwitz, lecturer and researcher at the European Media and Journalism Research Center
 

The teams collectively produced 12 studies addressing six key topics:

- Protection of journalists and their sources

- Freedom of Press Associations

- Modernize Lebanese Media Laws to Cope with Digital Changes

- Incentives for Startup Media Companies

- Decriminalizing Speech Offenses

- Media sector governance: exploring the frameworks of regulation (legal, co-regulation, or self-regulation)
 

Six standards setting documents emerged from the research papers, covering the key areas addressed in the studies. These documents included summaries of the seminars organized by Maharat Foundation with all relevant stakeholders, as well as standards that can serve as a reference in any discussions aimed at developing media laws and policies in Lebanon.

Co-publishing a study on social media Regulation and democratic processes

To strengthen the media's role in fostering democratic practices, MJRC and Maharat Foundation co-published a study on “Regulation of Social Media and Elections in Europe" prepared by MJRC, examining the impact of social media on the electoral process, addressing misinformation, promoting transparency in political advertising, and safeguarding the integrity of democratic elections. The study includes conclusions and recommendations for Lebanon.