Lebanon’s biggest newspapers are on the verge of financial collapse. The Information Minister is trying to save the industry, but not everyone is convinced it should survive in its current form. Defined by the same political and sectarian divisions fueling prolonged government and garbage crises, traditional media are seen as servants of the political elite rather than the public.

Ten leading daily newspapers published in Lebanon are reportedly struggling with financial challenges. Pro-Hezbollah As-Safir and its rival, An-Nahar, are considered closest to collapse. They are the country’s most prominent newspapers, and Information Minister Ramzi Joreige is pushing for a bailout plan.

The Stream discusses what the newspaper crisis means for Lebanon, and asks, what are the alternatives for people who say the media is too political for its own good? Join us at 19:30 GMT. 

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with: 

Habib Battah @Habib_B
Journalist and editor, Beirut Report 
beirutreport.com
             
Ibrahim Halawi @Ibrahimhalawi
PhD Researcher, Royal Holloway University of London

Gilbert Doumit @GilbertDoumit
Managing Partner, Beyond Reform and Development

Hussain Abdul-Hussain @hahussain 
Washington Bureau Chief, Alrai
hussainabdulhussain.blogspot.com

How is Lebanon’s political stalemate connected to the country’s media crisis? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.