NNA — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the German Government through the KfW Development Bank, launched a national media campaign to combat fake news in Lebanon.
The campaign was unveiled at a high-level event held at Beirut Digital District (BDD), bringing together media professionals, government representatives, civil society organizations, and young journalists. In attendance were Ministry of Information, represented by Ms. Elissar Naddaf; Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, Ms. Uta Simon; Director of KfW Development Bank in Lebanon, Dr Solveig Buhl, and UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon, Ms. Blerta Aliko. Their presence reflected Lebanon's growing commitment to addressing the spread of mis – and disinformation and its impact on public trust, education, and national stability.
This campaign is part of UNDP's ongoing efforts to promote responsible and inclusive media practices in Lebanon. In a context where mis information, disinformation, and hate speech continue to threaten social stability and public trust, the initiative seeks to empower citizens—especially youth—to critically engage with content, verify sources, and resist the spread of harmful narratives.
The event marked a significant milestone in this work with the launch of a youth-led fact-checking network, following the training of more than 180 young people across Lebanon in fact-checking, hate speech prevention, media literacy, and conflict-sensitive reporting. Many of these young participants are actively contributing to platforms such as Sawab, running community-based campaigns, producing impactful multimedia content, and collaborating with established media institutions. Together, they are contributing to a new generation of ethical, informed media actors dedicated to rebuilding trust in Lebanon's information space.
In his opening remarks, Ms. Uta Simon, Head of Development Cooperation, reaffirmed the German Government's commitment to promoting transparent governance and democratic participation through quality journalism: "There is much talent among young journalists in Lebanon. Recognizing their crucial role, Germany supports these trainings to empower them to identify and address misinformation, and to report to high standards. In this way, these journalists can contribute to fostering dialogue, accountability and trust, not least in view of next year's general election."
In her remarks, Ms. Blerta Aliko, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon, commended the work and dedication of youth participants and emphasized the campaign's wider implications: "Young people in Lebanon are on the front lines against fake news—their honesty and hard work protect the integrity of our media and the fabric of our society."
During the event, a panel discussion entitled "Beyond Verification: Ethics, Challenges, and Measuring Impact in Fact-Checking" explored the evolving role of fact-checking in Lebanon. Experts from Agence France-Presse (AFP), LBCI, the Samir Kassir Foundation, and independent research institutions discussed ethical reporting, the use of technology in verification, and the importance of collaboration between institutions, civil society, and the media.
The national campaign will run across social media platforms and will also be featured on billboards across the capital of Beirut. It features short videos, visual content, and interactive tools designed to raise awareness about the harmful effects of fake news on mental health, social stability, and democratic values. It encourages all citizens to think critically, verify information before sharing, and play an active role in safeguarding Lebanon's media ecosystem.
