Lebanon Media Recovery Fund

1.
Medical support to wounded journalists, including longer-term needs, such as physiotherapy, prosthetics, medicine and medical equipment, especially those who may not have the right insurance.
2.
Equipment, in case of damaged laptops, cameras, transmitters. This support would primarily go to freelance journalists and, on a case by case basis, to media organizations.
3.
Work environment, in case of damaged offices.
4.
Trauma and psycho-social support.
5.
Investigative work. We believe that we cannot go back to the pre-August 4 media landscape, which was mostly complacent towards those in power, avoiding verifying key information, to look into data and evidence. Today, we have the moral obligation to push the media towards a more robust role in standing up to corruption. Our entire work will be driven by the belief that FREE PRESS SAVES LIVES.
6.
Economic livelihood and resilience of journalists, to provide those in need with the support required to continue their work with dignity and encourage journalists to investigate, question, report and organize for better professional standards.

“The fund is based on a robust understanding of the reality of the ground, where local partners have developed lasting relations with the community in Lebanon, sound administrative and auditing practice, flexibility and thinking outside the project outside the project funding box because we need to be demand-driven.”

“The support should not only be focused on the short term. It should contribute to a stronger, more accountable media industry, that can contribute to the vital change that Lebanon needs. It doesn’t mean a media sector that is involved in politics, but a media environment that is better equipped to hold those in power to account, that can ask the right questions, develop its capacities to investigate and reflect citizens’ needs, and journalists who are better equipped to stand up to political bullying through better and more effective organizing.”