Beirut capital of Arab media 2023

So Beirut is Capital of Arab Media 2023. Ok, let me go back to what Minister Ziad Makary said in a communique (he is the caretaker minister of Information in the current government), Apparently the ministry is keen to "create a common space between Lebanon and its Arab brethrens, reflecting full, constant and continuous solidarity at the various levels."

A per minister Makari's words: "Lebanon is keen to demonstrate its Arabism through the title “Beirut, Capital of Arab Media,” adding “This title constitutes a challenge amid Lebanon’s difficult political and economic conditions; yet we have accepted this challenge. We will ensure the success of all events that will extend for a whole year.”

To go back to that joke in the sitcom when the man asked his heavily pregnant wife is she wanted a foot massage, to which she replied "this is what got us here in the first place". A bon entendeur salut...
Now, about the ad - it is based on the statue of Martyrs' at the Martyrs' Square in downtown Beirut (by Italian sculptor Marino Mazzacurati) and instead of a torch the statue is holding a microphone (you know to signify the media). I like the line "houna Beirut" - this is Beirut (speaking) - which is how radios used to identify their place of broadcast. I do think the photoshop could have been better with the mike though. But all in all, it does worry me what the "Capital of Arab Media" is supposed to do...

For reference about the Lebanese media check this link here.

Media in Lebanon: "There's no truth in Beirut, only versions" Bill Farrell

Published originally on October 22, 2008 - this post still stands on its feet. Names have changed, some of these TV stations no longer exist, but the idea stands. One event, different interpretations, different versions, no truth.... What happened yesterday was interpreted in already several antagonistic ways.

In an recent email I have received, I got different interpretations of the Lebanese media about the same event. The original news is "A Lebanese citizen was killed by the flow of cars on the Beirut - Damascus road"... Now here's the different versions: For Al Manar (Either backed or totally owned by the Hezbollah depending on the different sources) "The martyrdom of a Lebanese in a Mossad attack on the Beirut - Damascus road," Future Television owned by the Hariri Family and holding a major grudge on Syria headlines "The remnants of the security apparatus kills a citizen known for his opposition to the Syrian occupation" (Syrians remained for 15 years in Lebanon after the end of the war, practically having a political "carte blanche" from major superpowers), for the LBC - itself anti-Syrian - it becomes "The death of a citizen supporting the majority under the wheels of a bus with a Syrian license plate" (The majority in this case refers to the current anti-Syrian parliamentary block) for NBN - totally pro-Syrian - the news is best avoided and the news is "The fall of the Berlin wall" then New TV which is heavily flavored with communist ideas "The colonial capitalist American powers kills a Lebanese citizen" and finally for Tele Liban, known to do nothing all day but rerun (its otherwise brilliant) archive... there are no headlines, only the archive.

So, what is a blog for?

And so it transpired former president (or current president depending on whom you ask!) Donald J. Trump has a new blog. The blog in question, like mine, has no reply option. But items can be reshared on Facebook and Twitter. Oh also unlike mine "donate" and "contribute" figure widely on the page. 

At least, Trump did not play the Instagram card. Because you know, too many people say they have blogs when the blogs in question are silly pages on Instagram. Sure, they may be getting freebies left and right (or used to as this no longer applies in Lebanon!) but an Instagram page is not a blog.

Well, truth be told, there used to be a flurry of bloggers in Lebanon but most migrated (as in literally changed countries!), others have phantom pages (for paid press releases, or press releases for free as they concentrate on their Instagram - again - and youtube pages). To be honest, technically, I remain the only blogger in Lebanon.

But what for?

I once had a bank as a client and at one point I suggested that they might have a blog where all employees can pitch things to and the head of the bank (also the owner) said "el blog houwe yalli ma 3indo chi y3oulo" (a blog is for someone who has nothing to say) which reminded me of my post "c'est pas parce qu'on n'a rien a dire (qu'il faut fermer sa gueule)". Which of course, does not reply to the question, "so, what is a blog for Tarek?".

In a age where anyone does not want to read, where concentrating on two paragraphs becomes too much, where information is distorted (despite being written and communicated clearly), where narratives are misshapen - blogs are actually superfluous entities barely needed and certainly disregarded (OK, but I have to thank the large number of people who still read this one - or at least make it a point to click massively monthly on its content!). 

Well, "45" speaks of a "beacon of freedom" - good for him. Trust me on this one, I was sued twice for speaking "freely" about facts. Which is a totally annoying experience if you ask me. But still, more than anyone, I ask myself, what is a blog for? 

But as William Carlos Williams wrote in "the red wheelbarrow":

"so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow"

And so much depends on the lone blogger still standing. What depends exactly is a different matter.

The dying magazines in Lebanon and how not to get them back!

Artwork by Tarek Chemaly based on the Femme Magazine logo

Count with me: Elle (Oriental), L'officiel, Noun, Snob (Al Hasnaa), Femme magazine and the list goes on. I previously did a post about newspapers and one about Future TV (ps - LDC which is part of the LBC group of TVs is also a casualty, but it does not count as this post focuses on magazines that closed down in 2019).
So there, the list continues to the surprise of no one. The head of communication at a major institution told me once that all the ads in the print dailies and magazines were "tenfi3at" - now that such institutions are eliminating all non-essential spending (including coffee machines in HQs!!) these publications no longer have a lifeline.
But truth be told, there was just no logic in their existence to begin with- say you are a woman who wants to see the latest fashion show: You go to instagram and see the brands you are following and basically get all images uploaded about 5 minutes after the show. You want styling tips? Infuencers are there to help you (while wearing clothes generously donated by brands - even if most still want you to believe they bought them with their hard earned money!). If I am giving these examples specifically it is because most magazines cited are oriented towads women and lifestyle.
But again, when major publishers and this includes Conde Nast - this would be Vogue owner! - is trying to keep its publications afloat through various formulas (be it subscription, paid content, firewall, video publishing and what not!) how can you blame struggling magazines in Lebanon past their expiry dates when it comes to their usefulness. Weekly there is caroussel of editors being laid off under the diplomatic terms of "seeking other opportunities" (and this is on the international scene).
We all want our information here and now - no one will wait for a weekly and much less monthly publication. Naturally, there are some who are trying but are doing so in altenative ways (The Face was reborn in 2019 but in a format different than its original iconic run).
Those who think I am against the press, or as someone accused me on Linkedin "would you want to see the newsstand empty?", remember: I run an incredibly successful blog since 2007 - yes January 2007. That's a long time people - do I earn money out of it?
Let me reprint my answer:
"This blog does not make money, I admit to it. I did not wish for my readership to be bought and sold or for my readers to think my opinion about an ad is skewed because I was paid to comment on it. Still, want it or not, it is a respectable publication, I went to Sweden because of it, was invited to lecture in Oslo, am a member of the Epica Awards (the only blogger there) due to its content, and the list continues. I could easily sell out in search for quick income, but I did not (and yes, it is "costly" in certain ways - I admit). But well, the golden age of money-making in print is long gone (as one publisher quipped when told a book was being published by a not-for-profit foundation "Oh, I thought the whole industry was!").
No, we cannot get these newspapers back - and sadly clickbait is being used by publications (not just in Lebanon but our local example is quite risible!) to attract readers online. Good, smart, meaningful content will always win, do not forget that."
So yes, the blog does not make money, but I still can't see a better image tool for myself!