The Mass Media and Communication Department at the University of Balamand (UOB), Faculty of Arts and Sciences, hosted a seminar led by Dr. Jad Melki, Director of the Institute of Media Research and Training at the Lebanese American University (LAU) on the 20th of November 2024. The seminar, which took place at the UOB Koura campus, focused on the critical theme of “Media Literacy of the Oppressed”, in the presence of Dr. Hanna El Nakat, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, as well as department instructors, directors, and UOB students.

During the seminar, Dr. Melki delved into several critical issues related to media's role in shaping narratives around conflict, oppression, and human rights violations. He discussed the dynamics between the oppressed and the oppressor, outlining the conditions of oppression and the importance of developing an emancipatory media literacy that empowers audiences to critically assess the media they consume.

He explored the ongoing narrative clash between opposing sides in conflicts, particularly focusing on the history of the Palestinian and Lebanese struggle. Dr. Melki also highlighted the evolving landscape of media over the past two decades, analyzing both the legacy media coverage and the influence of social media platforms, and their combined impact on shaping public perception of war and genocide.

Dr. Melki, an internationally recognized media expert, is an affiliated researcher at the University of Maryland and a leading advocate for media literacy in the Arab region. In 2015, he was awarded the UNESCO International Media Literacy Award for his work in advancing media and digital literacy through the Media and Digital Literacy Academy of Beirut. His extensive research examines the intersection of digital media literacy, journalism, war, and genocide, and he received the 2020 Arab Researchers Award for his contributions to the field.

This event marked another significant contribution by UOB to advancing the discourse on media literacy and its importance in today’s digital age.



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