Maharat is a catalyst, defending and advancing the development of democratic societies governed by the values of freedom of expression and respect for human rights.
Maharat advances the societal and political conditions that enhance freedom of expression and access to information, both online and offline. Maharat engages and equips a progressive community in Lebanon and the MENA region with the skills and knowledge necessary to create change.
Controversial issues are common in Lebanon, in the environmental, political, economic, social or other fields. Different media outlets continuously try to leak contradictory news, some attributed to known sources while others to anonymous ones, with the purpose of “supporting the facts” that they publish and which often contradict other facts attributed to other sources.
It is evident that Banque du Liban’s (BDL) Circular 331 has boosted the startup scene, with the rise of more startups, accelerators, venture capital and ecosystem support programs. The mentioned circular encourages Lebanese banks to invest in the equity of startups, incubators, accelerators and other companies operating in the knowledge economy.
In a country that boasts diversity and the respect of freedoms, especially the freedom of the press, and being a signatory of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it only makes sense to examine how women's participation in the 2018 legislative elections was handled as one of the issues that can contribute to the advancement of society at large on a legal, sociocultural and media level. It's a pressing matter especially since women’s role in society is becoming increasingly important year after year around the world due to all its economic, social and cultural implications.
The freedom of activists and citizens to express their own views is still declining in Lebanon, especially through social media networks, as per the facts and cases documented between the second half of 2018 and the beginning of 2019.
