BEIRUT:
Lebanon’s Press Federation chief Aouni al-Kaaki Friday unveiled a draft
plan to salvage the country’s newspapers’ financial crisis was in the
final stages. Kaaki said that the project could help “minimize the
collapse that [newspapers] are passing through and preserve some of the
current dailies.” Kaaki made his remarks after meeting with Information Minister Melhem Riachi and seasoned journalists.

The meeting, according to the National News Agency, covered proposals to boost newspapers’ abilities to continue running. A
committee was formed to follow up on the crisis and draft a memorandum
for Riachi to refer to Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who in turn would
refer it to the Parliament. “We can only remain positive,” Kaaki noted.

Several prominent media outlets, especially newspapers, have cut staff amid fears of closure. As-Safir newspaper, which had published daily news since 1974, published its final edition in December. Lebanon
has long played an influential role in the production of news across
the Arab world and has a reputation for press freedom. At least 10
newspapers in Arabic, English and French are published daily in the
country. However, with changing global consumption of news, many readers
now get their information online – often free to read and paid for
through advertising. There has also been a decline in advertising
revenue, both online and in print media, which has left newsrooms with
larger expenses than they can earn through sales.