The "Decode the News" training program consisted of seven interactive workshop sessions held over several weeks and led by a team of specialists in media, digital verification, and governance. Combining theoretical instruction with hands-on exercises and real-life simulations, the workshops enabled participants to produce video reports and develop original content that was presented during the project's concluding panel discussions.
The project aimed to strengthen the ability of young people aged 18 to 30, from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, to identify and counter disinformation and AI-generated content.
The initiative was launched in response to the growing spread of disinformation, misinformation, and AI-generated content in Lebanon. With the majority of young people relying on social media as their primary source of information—often without the critical tools needed to assess the credibility of what they encounter—this trend has threatened the quality of public discourse and weakened citizens' trust in democratic processes. To address this challenge, the May Chidiac Foundation – Media Institute and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung equipped participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds with practical skills in fact-checking, digital verification, and AI awareness.
The closing ceremony began with the presentation of certificates to participants who successfully completed the training program. Certificates were awarded by H.E. Dr. Paul Morcos, Minister of Information; Dr. May Chidiac, President and Founder of the May Chidiac Foundation – Media Institute; and Albert Jawhar, Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung on behalf of Mrs. Christina Baade, Head of KAS Lebanon Office, in recognition of the participants' efforts to strengthen their critical thinking, information verification, and counter-disinformation skills.
Following the certificate ceremony, three panel discussions were held at the MCF-MI Studio, bringing together experts, specialists, and the young participants. During the sessions, participants presented video reports they had produced throughout the workshops on each panel's theme and engaged in interactive question-and-answer sessions with both the speakers.
Panel One: "The Anatomy of Lies – How False Information Is Made and Why We Believe It"
The first panel explored the psychological, algorithmic, and platform-driven mechanisms behind the creation and spread of disinformation. Speakers discussed how algorithms exploit cognitive biases and emotional triggers to amplify fake news. The session was moderated by journalist Zeina Basile Chamoun.
H.E. Dr. Paul Morcos, Minister of Information, outlined the Ministry's efforts to combat disinformation and hate speech, highlighting public awareness campaigns implemented in cooperation with international organizations, as well as the role of the Ministry's Fact Check Unit in monitoring and exposing false news. He stressed the importance of verifying information before publication, explaining that accountability for media violations falls under the jurisdiction of the judiciary. He also reviewed key reforms included in the draft Media Law, particularly provisions concerning the right of reply and sanctions for failing to publish it.
The Minister further emphasized the importance of respecting the right of reply and ensuring it is published by the relevant media outlet, underscoring the need for accuracy and professionalism in news reporting. He also addressed the evolving landscape of digital media and the Ministry's efforts to strengthen and modernize the sector through ongoing cooperation with the relevant parliamentary committee. Concluding his remarks, he encouraged greater focus on artificial intelligence and maximizing its potential to support and empower young media professionals.
Walid Abboud, Editor-in-Chief of News at MTV Lebanon, discussed the daily challenges facing news organizations, particularly the need to balance speed with credibility. He stressed that breaking the news should never come at the expense of verification and warned against making accusations without evidence because of their serious consequences for individuals and institutions alike.
Dr. Rita Sayah, Professor in the Department of Media Studies at Notre Dame University–Louaize, highlighted the role of technology in facilitating the production of misleading content. She emphasized the importance of professional ethics and media literacy in empowering young people to verify information, while noting that digital media continues to complement rather than replace traditional media.
The discussion also examined the balance between freedom of expression and media responsibility, as well as the role of media institutions, universities, and the Ministry of Information in promoting a culture of fact-checking and combating disinformation and hate speech.
Panel Two: "Seeing Through the Noise – Tools and Methods for Digital Verification"
The second panel focused on practical tools and methodologies for digital verification, exploring ways to detect manipulated content, AI-generated material, and unreliable sources in a rapidly evolving information environment. The session was moderated by digital transformation journalist Jessie Tannous.
Dr. Mariette Awad, Director of the Human-AI Futures Lab at the American University of Beirut and AI Policy Advisor, examined the dual role of artificial intelligence in both generating and detecting manipulated content. She discussed the risks associated with technologies such as deepfakes and voice cloning, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy, understanding the limitations of AI, and developing responsible and secure AI tools capable of keeping pace with technological advancement.
Rudy Shoushany, award-winning author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur, discussed the impact of the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and digital platforms on content credibility. He highlighted the role of emotional factors in the spread of disinformation and stressed the need to strengthen a culture of verification while developing legal frameworks and forward-looking policies capable of adapting to these transformations.
Mohamad Najem, Executive Director of SMEX, examined disinformation from a human rights and societal perspective. He explained that while disinformation itself is not a new phenomenon, digital media has transformed the speed and scale of its dissemination. He argued that addressing the challenge requires strengthening critical thinking and public awareness, alongside building robust digital infrastructure and adopting realistic national strategies that enable Lebanon to keep pace with technological developments.
Panel Three: "Truth, Power, and Democracy – Disinformation in Lebanon and the Region"
The third panel examined the political consequences of disinformation in Lebanon and the wider region, exploring how false narratives undermine elections, weaken public trust, and distort governance and policymaking. The session was moderated by journalist and television presenter Marianne Zouein.
MP Georges Okais, Member of the Lebanese Parliament, member of the Administration and Justice Committee, and Chair of the Subcommittee studying the Right to Access Information Law, discussed the role of social media in accelerating the spread of disinformation. He noted that political polarization increases people's tendency to believe narratives aligned with their political affiliations. He also highlighted the importance of Lebanon's Right to Access Information Law as a tool for promoting transparency and enabling citizens to obtain public information, arguing that today's challenge extends beyond access to information to restoring truth and public trust, as the erosion of trust in information poses a direct threat to democracy.
Dr. Ramzi Abou Ismail, Lecturer at the Lebanese American University (LAU), explored the psychological and social factors that make individuals more susceptible to believing false information. He explained that political polarization, confirmation bias, and social conformity all contribute to the spread of disinformation, particularly in politically divided societies.
Ralph Baydoun, Founder and Managing Director of InflueAnswers, shared his experience monitoring disinformation campaigns, explaining that digital platforms have fundamentally transformed how public opinion is influenced, making disinformation more widespread and increasingly organized. He emphasized the need to strengthen legal frameworks and accountability mechanisms to combat disinformation while safeguarding freedom of expression.