To what extent has the European Endowment for Democracy facilitated the growth of an ecosystem of independent media organisations in Lebanon? (2017-2023)

Abstract

This thesis investigates the relationship between the ecosystem of independent media organisations in Lebanon, and their relationship to the European Union, specifically the European Endowment for Democracy. The analysis follows a trajectory starting from Beirut all the way back to Brussels, the lens of focus widening as it reaches its conclusion. It does so through first focusing on the case study of Megaphone News and whether it can be considered a Non Profit Media Organisation as proposed by economist, Julia Cagé. Then it takes testimonies from seven respondents across a number of these organisations to consider whether their approach and strategies align with the theory of participative journalism. Finally it uses thematic clusters to broaden discussion to consider the European Endowment’s role in the development of Lebanon’s independent media.  It concludes that European involvement in this context is fundamentally limited and impact by interests other than democracy assistance. It shows that neither theories can accommodate the interdependence and collaboration between organisations. It shows that the work of these independent media organisations has influenced the development of the European Endowment in a relationship that can be characterised as symbiotic and contradictory to the founding principles of this European Union institution. Both theories do not fully accommodate for the difficulties of operation in a collapsing economy and an unrepresentative political elite. The fluidity and innovation of these organisations in difficult conditions generate insights about how the theories and the relationship with Europe may be improved to facilitate continuation of development. The European Endowment is crucial in facilitating the growth of independent media in Lebanon, but those organisations have also shifted perspective of the Endowment in return. The content of this facilitation reveals internal limitations to democracy assistance efforts.