Former French Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul-Malak, now heads the L'Orient-Le Jour press group in Lebanon, facing the challenges of regional conflict and preserving journalistic independence.Breaking News, International, Policy, international news, Beyrouth, conflict, Hezbollah, independent journalism, Lebanon, media, presse francophone, Franco-Lebanese relations, Rima Abdul-Malak, AFE PACKAGE, newsFormer French Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul-Malak, now heads the L'Orient-Le Jour press group in Lebanon, facing the challenges of regional conflict and...
Rima Abdul-Malak, former French Minister of Culture under the Borne government, has been the executive director of the Lebanese press group L’Orient-Le Jour since last November. This appointment comes in a particularly tense context in Lebanon, marked by the escalation of hostilities in the south of the country and regular bombings on Beirut.
At 47, this Franco-Lebanese woman had to quickly adapt her French political experience to the realities of the Lebanese journalistic field. It reflects extremely difficult working conditions for its teams, who have to produce information despite bombing alerts and frequent power cuts.
The director particularly mentions the challenges linked to the media treatment of Hezbollah, a sensitive subject in the Lebanese political landscape. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining an independent editorial line, while navigating in an environment where political and security pressures are constant.
Rima Abdul-Malak also highlights the special role of France in the region. According to her, Paris remains a major diplomatic player in Lebanon, both through its historical support and its current mediation efforts. This Franco-Lebanese position gives it a unique perspective on bilateral relations.
The L’Orient-Le Jour group, founded in 1924, represents a pillar of the French-speaking press in the Middle East with 1.5 million readers in 102 countries. Under his leadership, the newspaper must reconcile tradition of journalistic excellence and adaptation to digital realities, while preserving the safety of its collaborators.
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon particularly concerns the former minister. It describes a population exhausted by years of economic crisis, now made worse by conflict. According to her, the preservation of cultural and educational institutions is becoming a crucial issue for the future of the country.
On a professional level, Rima Abdul-Malak highlights the resilience of Lebanese journalists, who continue to report despite the dangers. She calls for greater international solidarity with the independent press in conflict zones, emphasizing that verified information is an essential common good.
This personal and professional trajectory illustrates the complex links between France and Lebanon, as well as the challenges of practicing journalism in crisis contexts. Rima Abdul-Malak’s experience demonstrates the importance of preserving spaces for free expression, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Discover more from AFE PACKAGE
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
