A new digital newsroom has assembled a team of around 15 Arabic-speaking journalists from various countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and Morocco. Based in Beirut, this team aims to bolster the digital production capabilities of FRANCE 24’s Arabic editorial team and Monte Carlo Doualiya (MCD) by generating content for the websites and social media channels of both outlets.
Joumana Fehmi, an experienced journalist with a background at MTV Lebanon, Alrai TV, Future TV, and Info3 News, has been appointed as the editor-in-chief and operational director. The journalists recruited in Beirut in late 2024 completed a two-month training program at the France Médias Monde Academy, where they received expert instruction in editorial, digital, technical, and security matters.
Closer to our audience
The Beirut regional hub plays a crucial role in France Médias Monde’s strategy to build public trust by maintaining close geographical and linguistic ties with its audiences. Lebanon was selected for this digital newsroom due to France Médias Monde’s established presence in the country, a Francophone nation where RFI, FRANCE 24, and MCD provide extensive news coverage through local correspondents.
This initiative also enhances France Médias Monde’s collaborations in Lebanon. Radio Liban broadcasts 12 hours of RFI’s French-language programming each day, while Télé Liban features FRANCE 24’s Arabic-language content.
By creating an Arabic-speaking editorial team in Beirut, France Médias Monde has reaffirmed its dedication to promoting Francophonie in a multilingual context. The expansion of Arabic-language content enables the organization to convey the values of Francophonie to audiences in areas where French is less prevalent.
Fighting disinformation
The Beirut newsroom, similar to the Arabic-language editorial teams in Paris, delivers free, independent, verified, and balanced news coverage of current events in the Near and Middle East, as well as throughout the Arab world. This regional viewpoint not only enriches but also complements the digital offerings of FRANCE 24’s Arabic service and MCD, playing a vital role in the fight against disinformation.
Additionally, the newsroom utilizes the expertise of FRANCE 24 Observers, a recognized authority in fact-checking and combating misinformation. The content created on-site is specifically designed for digital platforms, including mobile videos, infographics, vertical formats, articles, and podcasts.
This approach significantly boosts the visibility of FRANCE 24 in Arabic and MCD within the digital realm, fostering growth across their websites, applications, and social media channels. The new organizational structure also allows FRANCE 24 in Arabic and MCD to expand their presence on platforms like TikTok.
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