Under the patronage of the Minister of Information, Engineer Ziad Makary, Al Maaref University’s Faculty of Mass Communication and Fine Arts (MCFA) organized the fifth forum for media faculties in Lebanon, titled "Beirut, the Capital of Arab Media... for Gaza." This event took place as part of the activities of "Beirut, the Capital of Arab Media 2023," on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the university campus (Block A) in Beirut, both in person and remotely via the Zoom platform.

The event was attended by the university president, Professor Ali Alaeddine, the dean of the faculty, Dr. Ali El-Takash, as well as several university professors, Lebanese and Palestinian journalists, and students from media faculties. The forum aimed to address the role of Beirut as the capital of Arab media, with a specific focus on Gaza.

Aladdin

The event commenced with the recitation of verses from the Quran, followed by the national anthem. The coordinator of the forum, instructor Rana Aladdin from the faculty, then opened the proceedings by welcoming the Minister of Information and expressing appreciation for the coordination and collaboration with the ministry. She noted that the university decided to dedicate "the forum and media activities from Beirut, along with its free pens and committed journalism, as a show of support for the Palestinian cause." This support extends to our brethren in Gaza, passing through the West Bank and Jerusalem (Al-Quds). The Lebanese media landscape has transformed into an arena with a determination to cover issues of justice and convey the voice of truth." 

Alaeddine emphasized that this year's forum addresses significant topics in the Lebanese and Arab media landscapes. The evaluation will focus on the performance of Lebanese and Arab media, as well as media faculties, in covering the Palestinian issue during the Gaza war. Additionally, she addressed the concerns faced by university students, including academic curricula, living conditions, unemployment, and the rapid pace of technological developments.

Al Makary 

In his speech, Minister Al Makary affirmed the importance of freedom of expression and the modernization of the media. He highlighted ongoing collaborative projects with universities and an Arab youth forum originally scheduled to be held in Lebanon. However, these priorities were redirected due to the Gaza war and the situation in southern Lebanon.

Al Makary added, "There is mutual cooperation between Lebanon and China, especially in media affairs, emphasizing the substantial media, cultural, and historical legacy in the country. It is a responsibility entrusted to the Lebanese youth that must be preserved and developed."

The Minister of Information emphasized, "Since October 7th, we have been witnessing a genocidal war in Gaza waged by an enemy that disregards and shows no concern for any international conventions. There is genuine and documented media representing Palestinian resistance, while the enemy's media is fabricated and deceitful. The world witnesses the truth presented by Palestinian and other Arab media." He pointed out that "we are beginning to see changes at the level of world populations, which are now becoming aware of the documented truth, making media an essential tool in conveying reality."

In conclusion, Makary expresses gratitude to Al Maaref University, including its president, deans, professors, and students, for orchestrating this media forum. Makary acknowledges the university's progress and modern approach to organizing conferences and activities across various fields. Following these appreciative remarks, discussion sessions ensued between MCFA students and professors, focusing on three main topics.

1. The first axis is Lebanese media culture.
2. The second axis is Arab media coverage of the Gaza issue.
3. The third axis is the role of Lebanese media in the Gaza war.

The forum concluded with a lunch break for the attendees, and an opinion survey form was distributed to gather feedback on the information acquired from the forum.

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