Political sectarianism is very much entrenched in Lebanese society, Lebanese politics, and more significantly, Lebanese people’s sense of identity. It goes without saying that decades of colonial-influenced sectarianism have taken a toll on our lives, and the end of the hegemony of this system is nowhere in sight yet. While changes are happening, slowly but surely, such as the long-awaited election and appointment of a President and Prime Minister respectively, it cannot be automatically assumed that power dynamics in this country are changing, and we cannot expect them to.
However, activism in Lebanon, especially after the events of October 17th, 2019, and the parliamentary elections in 2022, has taken a shift that is worth pondering. Some independent media platforms, for instance, have emerged as a response to the existing mainstream, partisan, and sectarian ones. Some examples include Megaphone, Daraj, Raseef22, and others that have highlighted accessible storytelling methods that allow them to reach a younger, more politically aware audience that is feeling disengaged from traditional media narratives. In the face of mainstream sectarian narratives, it is interesting to analyze the relationship between media activism and existing identity politics and how this activism deals with this delicate issue.
In other words, this article seeks to understand how alternative media serve as a means against the instrumentalization and perpetuation of sectarian identity politics, thus playing a crucial role when it comes to advocating against the domination of Lebanese sectarian politics. To do so, the specific case study will be the most recent war on Lebanon that erupted in September 2024. Thus, the question this piece is trying to answer is, how are those outlets participating in challenging the mainstream discourse?
Capture of Identity Politics
What is meant by “identity politics” is the instrumentalization of identity by the political elite, which has further contributed to the entrenchment of sectarian divisions within Lebanese society. This manipulation, which was coined as ‘elite capture’ by philosopher Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, occurs when a privileged few steer resources and institutions meant to serve the broader population toward their own personal interests. While identity politics can empower marginalized groups, elites frequently take advantage of these identities in ways that go against the interests of those groups, which makes the phenomenon problematic.
Political sectarianism, according to Makdisi’s definition, developed under the French Mandate’s official power-sharing arrangement, which favored the Maronite population by putting religious affiliation at the center of political and administrative systems. As a means of shifting blame and preserving the sectarian status quo, the elite’s actions strengthened sectarian divisions while openly condemning them. It is also important to note that despite the constitutional text that strictly calls for the abolishment of political sectarianism, the sectarian system persists through the elite’s weaponization of identity politics.
More concretely, how does the media participate in preserving the rule of identity politics? Media outlets, often referred to as the fourth branch of government, play a critical role in perpetuating elite discourses. In Lebanon, media organizations are largely owned or influenced by sectarian elites and/or tycoons, hence serving as mouthpieces for those funding them. This deliberate use of media by elites is a prime example of how identity politics is frequently used to maintain the power of the privileged few rather than empowering oppressed groups. Traditional, sectarian media show only one facade of an issue, or an exaggerated facade of it, one that advances the elites’ self-serving political discourse. To illustrate that, according to a study conducted on Lebanese mainstream outlets’ biased depiction of Syrian refugees, some reports claimed, without any evidence, that the refugees were intentionally changing Lebanon’s cultural and demographic structure. A journalist from Al Nahar exaggerated the number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, despite official figures showing a much lower number. More aggravating examples show how other Lebanese stations, such as Al Jadeed TV and MTV, have aired interviews and reports that amplify public hostility toward Syrian refugees.
Media Activism in Lebanon
Nonetheless, with the rise of non-sectarian movements, alternative media outlets have made their way to confront the status quo as activists. In an interview that appeared on Al Jazeera, a member of Megaphone explains that the name of the outlet came to be because most of its members held a megaphone at some point, emphasizing the activist aspect of the outlet. In other words, the journalists of this organization are activists who participate in on-the-ground mobilisation as well. In what ways have these outlets served as activists beyond the digital realm?
For example, Daraj has taken an investigative approach to activism by exposing financial corruption, particularly through its reporting on major scandals like the Pandora Papers. Indeed, the investigations provided concrete evidence that led to legal cases against Lebanese politicians accused of corruption. This has gone beyond raising public awareness, empowering activists and legal professionals to demand accountability. Daraj’s independent journalism challenges state-sanctioned narratives and fosters activism, resistance, and change.
Concerning Megaphone, during the uprising, the outlet became a key news source. It functioned as a watchdog for citizens by exposing the tactics used by the government and banks while also delivering daily on-the-ground coverage. Additionally, its journalists analyzed official statements, particularly regarding the economic system, and critically examined political rhetoric.
Nonetheless, because of their activist approach, these media outlets operate in a highly restricted environment where political elites exert significant economic and legal pressure to undermine their reporting. Hence, in an effort to resist government restrictions on free speech, fourteen Lebanese and foreign organizations, including Megaphone and Daraj, established the “Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression” in 2020. According to the group, attacks on peaceful expression have increased, and repression has been worse following the October 17, 2019, uprising. As a result of their social media posts, more than 60 people were detained or questioned. In addition, on June 15th, 2020, Lebanon’s top prosecutor ordered a security agency to investigate posts critical of the president, citing defamation laws that carry prison sentences of up to two years. Through activism and investigative journalism, Daraj and Megaphone, as independent media outlets, are instrumental in opposing official censorship and promoting press freedom. Additionally, it is crucial to note that both outlets do not rely on funding from the state or adjacent political figures, thus challenging traditional media’s economic barriers. According to their websites, Daraj and Megaphone receive international funding that does not interfere with their mission.
The Palestinian Question
Now, to get to the core of this article, a brief background context regarding the “othering” of Palestinians and the previous war is necessary. In addition to perpetuating internal differences amongst Lebanese people, this sectarian framework also determines how external groups are viewed. The elites also use identity politics to further push the notion that Palestinians are the “Other,” making them an easy scapegoat for political instability and a tool to incite sectarian fears. How did that begin?
Lebanese history has been tied to the Palestinian conflict ever since its inception in 1948. That relationship took a turn to the worst with the eruption of the civil war in 1975. In short, different sectarian factions have divided opinions concerning the conflict and the people themselves. Due to the unresolved grievances that the war created, hostility and discrimination against Palestinians persist to this day. Media outlets do not shy away from perpetuating those feelings, especially considering the sustained importance of the Palestinian issue within Lebanese politics today. Indeed, Palestinians are frequently perceived as a ‘threat’ to Lebanon’s weak internal security due to the many fearmongering statements constantly echoed by political elites, on the basis of identity politics. The presence of Palestinians is often perceived as a sectarian problem that increases tensions.
That is where independent media have played a crucial role in reshaping narratives about marginalized communities. Outlets like Daraj and Megaphone have amplified the voices of Palestinian activists and legal advocates. To be more specific, Megaphone writes for groups such as women, migrant workers, Palestinian refugees, or in other words, those whose voices are disregarded by the politicized and sectarian Lebanese media elite: “Our agenda is about promoting equality of rights, social justice, and civil liberties for both citizens and non-citizens in Lebanon, and holding the establishment to account.” Additionally, in February 2024, several major news organizations, including Daraj, signed an open letter coordinated by the Committee to Protect Journalists, calling for the protection of journalists and the right to report in Gaza.
Furthermore, the war that erupted in Gaza on October 7th, 2023, expanded to reach the Lebanese territories, and that war aggressively escalated in September 2024. It led to at least 3,961 deaths amongst the Lebanese people and over 45,000 deaths among Palestinians. Media outlets flooded their readers’ screens with the constant updates and news reports. However, the depiction of Palestinian and Lebanese victims was very much different depending on the media outlet and its stance regarding the war. In theory, Lebanese media outlets all claim to be independent, and non-partisan to a certain extent. The reality is far from that.
In my recent thesis, I extensively analyzed six platforms’ depiction of Palestinian victims and found that the reports differed in terms of themes and linguistic choices. The more progressive platforms amongst the ones I chose as case studies are Daraj and Megaphone News. Hence, I will use the textual data I have previously collected (Halabi, 2024), in the form of excerpt and/or headlines, and I will explain why they are noteworthy.
The clearly stated purposes of these two outlets include critiquing dominating power structures and rejecting sectarian framing by centering their reporting on a civic or investigative approach. Crucial outlooks that these outlets have decided to take to depict Palestinian victims include insisting on humanizing them beyond identity politics, giving victims, activists, and writers a voice, and evidently calling for rightful justice.
Linguistic Choices
Let us begin with the choice of words, because language holds power and, subsequently, perpetuates a narrative. The usage of the word “genocide” has been heavily debated by journalists, because it automatically refers to a certain stance – one that is in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Daraj’s use of this word in its coverage of the war on Gaza is not accidental at all. The platform explicitly uses this ‘loaded’ word in several pieces such as the following ones:
- “The global movement denouncing the Zionist war of genocide going on in the Gaza Strip (and in the West Bank, at a lower intensity)”
- “Denying Palestine’s Existence: How the Israeli Government Justifies Genocide”
- “For over a year now, Israel has been exacting vengeance for the war crime that Hamas committed on October 7. The genocide in Gaza and the destruction in Lebanon showcase its military superiority and dispel the myth of an ‘ethical army’”
Daraj makes it clear that its choice of words is intentional, portraying the war as a systematic attempt to eradicate Palestinian existence. By placing Palestinian suffering within a broader framework of oppression, this approach both humanizes the Palestinian people and emphasizes their agency.
Similarly, Megaphone does not shy away from using the same word in its coverage of the war on Gaza, making its stance clear. By framing the war in these terms, Megaphone positions itself in direct opposition to mainstream narratives that attempt to hide or undermine the events occurring and/or Palestinian suffering. The platform directly links Israeli actions to genocide, as seen in the following headlines:
- “‘Riyadh Season’, normalization and genocide”
- “Wherever there is Israel, there is genocide.”
- “After a year of ongoing Israeli genocide, cities around the world have witnessed widespread demonstrations, from New York to Cairo”
- “The price of showing this cohesion was silencing the voices opposing the genocide in Gaza, which tried by all means to infiltrate the conference”
Unlike Lebanese mainstream media, which often adjusts its linguistic choices depending on sectarian influence, the outlets’ direct use of “genocide” reflects the rejection of neutrality. The firm stance that both outlets have taken actively challenges efforts to sanitize the war, thus reinforcing an obvious activist-oriented approach to journalism.
Themes
Moreover, another tactic worth mentioning is related to the chosen themes of the outlets’ coverage. Rather than solely presenting hard facts, such as death tolls, the two platforms also focused on the daily lives and experiences of Palestinian civilians. Their reporting consistently included human-interest stories that highlighted neglected aspects of the war. Through these stories, a key feature of these alternative media outlets is their commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. They give voice to Palestinian victims and activists who oppose sectarian power structures, and who are, more often than not, ignored by the mainstream media. Daraj and Megaphone also combatted the tendency to depict Palestinians as helpless victims by highlighting their agency through accounts of resistance.
Megaphone’s approach highlights Palestinians’ everyday resilience by depicting them as individuals who overcome adversity while maintaining aspects of their daily lives. Beyond armed conflict, resistance is portrayed through acts of defiance and media activism. This perspective emphasizes individual experiences, names and faces, highlighting empathy and refusing to reduce them to mere numbers. The following headlines underscore this approach:
- “Abu Zakaria roams the streets of northern #Gaza selling fava and lupin beans, despite the Israeli aggression, high prices, and scarcity of supplies”
- “The Israeli occupation forces arrested the social media activist #AbboudBattah… Hours later, they released Abboud, who posted a message on his Instagram account, a minute-long video in which he vowed to continue exposing the genocide.”
- “Gazan visual artist Mahasen al-Khateeb was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the #Jabalia camp on Frida.y”
- “The remaining residents of the #Shatila Palestinian refugee camp in #Beirut try to adapt to the waves of displacement”
In addition, by using an intersectional approach that emphasizes various perspectives of Palestinian victims’ struggle, Daraj’s coverage of Palestinians seeks to deepen our understanding of the conflict. That is to say, stories on the different effects of war on Palestinian lives are covered by the platform:
- “From Behind Bars: Horrifying Testimonies from Ex-Detainees in Israeli Prisons”
- “Sufyan Kawarea: Israeli Raid Kills Gazan Sweets Maker”
- “Teaching in Gaza: Lessons in Between Tents and Experiences in Virtual Reality”
- “The Livelihoods of Gazans and Their Work Lost in the Wake of War”
- “Gaza’s Miscarriages: Generations Are Killed in Mothers’ Wombs”
In brief, structural change requires bottom-up action. Media platforms do not solely reflect discourse; they actively shape and sustain it, influencing both public perception and civic engagement. By encouraging counter-hegemonic discourse, alternative media outlets like Megaphone and Daraj play a pivotal role in social movements. They give a voice to those marginalized by the sectarian system, eventually challenging the hegemony of sectarian identities, thus turning digital activism into tangible political change. The outlets’ impact on the youth, who are becoming more involved in critical discourse and political mobilization, is a prominent example. Indeed, by reclaiming civic space and challenging elite control of the narrative, these platforms are laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and politically engaged society.
It is time to free the Lebanese people from the shackles of political sectarianism and identity politics.
Bibliography
Barakat, A. (2020). The Images of Syrian Refugees in the Mainstream Narrative: A Case Study of Lebanon. Syria Studies,12(1), 203-229.
Halabi, N. (2024). Sectarianism as internal ‘Othering’: Orientalism and Lebanese media’s depiction of the war on Gaza (Master’s thesis). Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Makdisi, U. (2019). Sectarianism and Antisectarianism in the Post-Ottoman Arab world. In Age of coexistence : the ecumenical frame and the making of the modern Arab world (pp. 127–162). essay, University of California Press.
Táíwò, O. O. (2022). Elite capture: How the powerful took over identity politics (and everything else). Haymarket Books.
References (Articles)
Ali, M. (2025, January 28). How many people has Israel killed in Lebanon since the ceasefire?. Al Jazeera.
Azhari, T. (2019, December 8). Megaphone: The voice of Lebanon’s uprising. Al Jazeera.
Civil Society and Social Movements in the Euro. (n.d.-b).
Ibrahim, A. (2021, January 30). Responding to “funding” accusations: Daraj does not hide its partners’ identity. Daraj.
Lebanon: New coalition to defend free speech. Human Rights Watch. (2020, October 28).
McGoey, S., & Fitzgibbon, W. (2021, December 1). Pandora papers reporting from the Middle East and North Africa – ICIJ. International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
Mégaphone: An alternative Lebanese media outlet at the heart of the 2019 revolution. CFI. (2025, March 6).
News Outlets Express Solidarity with journalists in Gaza. Committee to Protect Journalists. (2024, March 21).
(2024, December 16). Death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza surpasses 45,000. Al Jazeera.
Daraj
Achcar, G. (2024, May 6). Under the pretext of antisemitism, the suppression of the Palestinian people is accompanied by an attempt to suppress the defense of their cause. Daraj Media.
Denying Palestine’s existence: How the Israeli government justifies genocide. Daraj. (2024, November 19).
From behind bars: Horrifying testimonies from ex-detainees in Israeli prisons. Daraj. (2024, August 21).
Gaza’s miscarriages: Generations are killed in Mothers’ wombs. Daraj. (2024, September 23).
Ibrahim, A. (2024, November 5). Fifty shades of death & hope in Lebanon. Daraj Media.
Sufyan Kawarea: Israeli raid kills Gazan Sweets Maker. Daraj. (2024, July 19).
The livelihoods of Gazans and their work lost in the wake of war. Daraj. (2024h, June 25).
Megaphone
Megaphone News [@megaphonenews]. (2024, October 19). The remaining residents of the #Shatila Palestinian refugee camp in #Beirut try to adapt to the waves of displacement [Reel]. Instagram.
Megaphone News [@megaphonenews]. (2024, October 20). Gazan visual artist Mahasen al-Khateeb was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the #Jabalia camp on Friday. She was one of the [Reel]. Instagram.
Megaphone News [@megaphonenews]. (2024, October 25). The Israeli occupation forces arrested the social media activist #AbboudBattah, as they raided the Kamal Adwan Hospital, in [Reel]. Instagram.
Megaphone News [@megaphonenews]. (2024, October 26). Abu Zakaria roams the streets of northern #Gaza selling fava and lupin beans, despite the Israeli aggression, high prices and [Reel]. Instagram.
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