As part of its “Les jeudis de l’InfoCom” series, the Faculty of Information and Communication (FIC) at Antonine University (UA) hosted a powerful conversation on March 27, 2025, at the Hadat–Baabda Campus. The session featured investigative journalist Ms. Carine Abdel Nour and environmental activist Mr. Paul Abi Rached, Founder of T.E.R.R.E. Liban, to discuss the urgent role of environmental journalism and activism in Lebanon.
Opening the discussion, Ms. Abdel Nour shared her journey into environmental reporting — a path marked by resistance, perseverance, and a belief that journalism should “uncover disasters before they happen.” Her interventions spotlighted investigations into illegal shoreline construction and efforts to prevent habitat destruction in Amchit, underscoring how Lebanon’s environmental degradation is often intertwined with political interference and public misinformation. “Investigative journalism is not just a job,” she stressed. “It’s civic duty.”
From the lens of activism, Mr. Abi Rached painted a stark picture of Lebanon’s ecological state, citing illegal quarries, logging, and urban sprawl as urgent threats. He emphasized, “Nature here doesn’t die a natural death — it’s being killed deliberately,” urging future communicators to use the tools at their disposal to drive change. Through initiatives like the Green Police app, his NGO continues to empower citizens to participate in environmental protection.
The event concluded with an engaging panel discussion, where students explored complex topics such as the synergy between journalism and activism, the risks of misinformation in citizen journalism, the gaps in environmental legislation, and the ethical dimensions of reporting on crises. Their thoughtful contributions reflected not only critical thinking but also a deep sense of social responsibility.
This session was more than just a conversation — it was a call to action. It served as a reminder that in a country where silence often protects power, both journalism and activism must be loud. As one student noted, “Maybe we can’t stop every bulldozer, but we can shame it into stopping.”
The event also forms part of a larger initiative: third-year students are currently developing an environmental report as a final project for the Advanced Arabic News Writing Workshop. The course, co-led by activist Mr. Paul Abi Rached and Ms. Mirna Bassil, Chairperson of the Department of Journalism and Communication, explores themes of Social Journalism (SoJo) and environmental advocacy.