MU Director on Peace Building in Lebanon Via Media
“I Hate You.” A powerful statement and title of a 385-page study on hate speech and sectarianism in “Arab Spring” media, wrote Media Unlimited director Magda Abu-Fadil. It is also a reflection of countless Arab world afflictions that was published … Continue
Lebanese Media Suffer Major Cutbacks
Lebanese journalists are on tenterhooks as mass layoffs decimate various media and budget cuts constrain operations, Media Unlimited director Magda Abu-Fadil told Al Arabiya English. “We are in a transitional phase. There is what is known as disruption and innovation … Continue
Journalists Need Digital Skills and Traditional Grounding: Abu-Fadil
Today’s journalists are expected to have multimedia digital skills but must also abide by the principles of accuracy, fairness, balance, humanity and ethics, Media Unlimited director Magda Abu-Fadil told French magazine Défense. “Today’s journalists are required to do more because … Continue
Will Lebanese Newspapers Become Extinct?
The ax is falling fast on Lebanese journalists as word of newspapers going fully online or facing shutdown spread this week amid a sea of political, financial and social turmoil in the country. Besides sharp drops in advertising revenue, competition … Continue
MU Director Discusses Media Ethics, Migrants in AUC Podcast
Media Unlimited director Magda Abu-Fadil spoke with Arab Media and Society, the magazine of the American University in Cairo, about how the migration crisis has been covered in Lebanese media and beyond, as well as issues of media ethics in … Continue
Arab Media Need Work on Professionalism, Ethics: Abu-Fadil
Arab media have made progress but some still need work to overcome issues of journalistic professionalism and ethics, Magda Abu-Fadil told Dubai TV in May 2015. “We see too many examples of unethical behavior in broadcast outlets, online and in … Continue
Lebanese Freelance Journalists Hanging by a Thread: Abu-Fadil
Freelance journalists, notably in Lebanon, face countless difficulties, not least of which are steady assignments, benefits and proper protection in conflict zones. “Print, broadcast, online and multimedia news organizations in Lebanon are cutting down on field crews for various reasons, … Continue
MU Director Interviewed on Social Media Ethics
Media Unlimited director Magda Abu-Fadil weighed in on a hot ethics topic following a Twitter slugfest during which a journalist and an activist carried on battling during a Lebanese TV talk show. Journalist Ghadi Francis in a controversial tweet described … Continue
Deadlines, Competition Shouldn’t Precede Media Ethics: Abu-Fadil
Use and abuse of social media has become the “new battleground” in conflict coverage with Gaza being a recent example. “A click is often faster than legwork to obtain information and shape it into good story form,” said Media Unlimited … Continue
Abu-Fadil: Social Media a Double-Edged Sword in Syrian Conflict
How is the Syrian war playing out on social media? Are reports by citizen journalists and activists credible? Is it “the most socially mediated civil conflict in history” and can we agree with a study’s conclusion that “social media have … Continue