Media Ownership Monitor Lebanon

WHO OWNS THEMEDIA?

MEDIA IN THEPOLITICAL MAZE

PLAYING WITH THELAW

CLOUDS ONTRANSPARENCY

MEDIAOWNERSHIPMONITORLEBANON

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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/family-connections/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/political-affiliations/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/law-and-practice/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/transparency/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/


Media Ownership Matters

MEDIA OWNERS

Mass media influence the way facts are viewed and debated in the society. Independence and pluralism inmedia, public opinion and views – including criticism of people in power – are the safeguards of a healthydemocracy. Monitoring and ensuring ownership pluralism is the first step toward independence and freedomof choice.

How can people evaluate the reliability of information if they don't know who provides it? How can journalistswork properly if they don't know who controls the company they work for? And how can media authoritiesaddress excessive media concentration if they don't know who is behind the media’s steering wheel?Ownership structure may also affect the way the media industry manages its resources. It shapes the economicstrength and efficiency of the media sector, which is of particular interest to potential investors.

By mapping out these questions, the Media Ownership Monitor found that in Lebanon, audience shares ineach sector of print, radio, television, and online are concentrated among a handful of key political players andfamilies, creating a highly polarized landscape. In general, transparency of media ownership structures andaccess to data are also limited, with no obligation for any owner to publicly display their political affiliation.

Find out more about 'Who owns the media?' in our database.

The information on this website is subject to regular review, based on information provided by the mediaoutlets and companies as well as public records. In light of any relevant development in Lebanon,information displayed on the website is subject to change, accordingly.

Media & Owners Databases



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/




Media Audience Con-centration

HIGH

Media Market Concen-tration

NO DATA

Regulatory Safeguards:Media Ownership Con-

centration

HIGH

Cross-media OwnershipConcentration

MEDIUM

"Political familism"

Many political dynasties havebeen playing leading roles inLebanese politics since theindependence of the country. Themedia sector is no exception tothis situation with 12 familiesinvolved in the media sector.more

Clouds on transparency

After nearly a decade ofpreparation, Lebanon’s Parliamentratified an Access to Informationlaw in January 2017. But accessingdata is still difficult because of theabsence of formal procedures todo so, and because theinformation would be provided bythe Commercial Register, whichalready provides an interface toaccess information. more

Political Affiliations

Out of all monitored mediaoutlets, almost all of them havepolitical links. Political affiliationsof owners are herein understoodwhen a media outlet or companybelongs to a party, a partisangroup, a party leader or a clearlypartisan person. more

Key Findings

Family connections Ownership Transparency (Political) Control Over MediaOutlets

Indicators of Risk to Media Pluralism



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/#!308b5c64e1a0e8507017dac298b7cc81





Regulatory Safeguards:Cross-media Ownership

Concentration

HIGH

Ownership Transparen-cy

MEDIUM

Regulatory Safeguards:Ownership Transparen-

cy

HIGH

(Political) Control OverMedia Outlets and Dis-

tribution Networks

MEDIUM TOHIGH

(Political) Control OverMedia Funding

LOW TO HIGH

Regulatory Safeguards:Net neutrality

LOW TOMEDIUM

Twitter



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/#!6bd3d5b33331729e5ff3884482ab363b



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/#!1b8d4b8675e576d13f6353ba0afc8092


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/#!8dc92ea5c8f7b762a99f91c4dd1096e8


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/#!d12236d08eaa0bf0b699693b862a0fc9




WHO OWNS THEMEDIA?

MEDIA IN THEPOLITICAL MAZE

PLAYING WITH THELAW

CLOUDS ONTRANSPARENCY



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Media Ownership Matters

MEDIA OWNERS

Mass media influence the way facts are viewed and debated in the society. Independence and pluralism inmedia, public opinion and views – including criticism of people in power – are the safeguards of a healthydemocracy. Monitoring and ensuring ownership pluralism is the first step toward independence and freedomof choice.

How can people evaluate the reliability of information if they don't know who provides it? How can journalistswork properly if they don't know who controls the company they work for? And how can media authoritiesaddress excessive media concentration if they don't know who is behind the media’s steering wheel?Ownership structure may also affect the way the media industry manages its resources. It shapes the economicstrength and efficiency of the media sector, which is of particular interest to potential investors.

By mapping out these questions, the Media Ownership Monitor found that in Lebanon, audience shares ineach sector of print, radio, television, and online are concentrated among a handful of key political players andfamilies, creating a highly polarized landscape. In general, transparency of media ownership structures andaccess to data are also limited, with no obligation for any owner to publicly display their political affiliation.

Find out more about 'Who owns the media?' in our database.

The information on this website is subject to regular review, based on information provided by the mediaoutlets and companies as well as public records. In light of any relevant development in Lebanon,information displayed on the website is subject to change, accordingly.

Media & Owners Databases



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HIGH


NO DATA


centration

HIGH


MEDIUM

"Political familism"

Many political dynasties havebeen playing leading roles inLebanese politics since theindependence of the country. Themedia sector is no exception tothis situation with 12 familiesinvolved in the media sector.more

Clouds on transparency

After nearly a decade ofpreparation, Lebanon’s Parliamentratified an Access to Informationlaw in January 2017. But accessingdata is still difficult because of theabsence of formal procedures todo so, and because theinformation would be provided bythe Commercial Register, whichalready provides an interface toaccess information. more

Political Affiliations

Out of all monitored mediaoutlets, almost all of them havepolitical links. Political affiliationsof owners are herein understoodwhen a media outlet or companybelongs to a party, a partisangroup, a party leader or a clearlypartisan person. more

Key Findings

Family connections Ownership Transparency (Political) Control Over MediaOutlets

Indicators of Risk to Media Pluralism



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Concentration

HIGH


MEDIUM


cy

HIGH

(Political) Control OverMedia Outlets and Dis-

tribution Networks

MEDIUM TOHIGH


LOW TO HIGH


LOW TOMEDIUM

Twitter



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Media

TV RADIO ONLINE PRINT

With 10 privately owned daily papers in three languages and more than 1,500 weekly and monthly periodicals,Lebanon accounts for about half of the periodicals produced in the Middle East region. In addition, there arenine television stations and about 40 radio stations. Despite this diversity, 78.4% of the covered mediaoutlets are politically affiliated. Of them, 21.62 % are directly affiliated to political parties; 43.24% are affiliatedto the government (state-owned, owned or co-owned by incumbent ministers and MPs) and 13.51% toindividuals who have been involved in politics or aspire to become politicians. Moreover, 32% of the mostpopular media outlets surveyed is in the hands of at least eight of Lebanon’s most prominent families. Thisrepresents an audience share of 30% of the TV audience, 72% of the listenership and 60% of the readership.

Media Databases



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/tv/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/radio/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/online/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/print/




RadioIn Lebanon, radio is one of the favorite means to access information after TV. Radio reaches 74% of thepopulation. With over 40 radio stations, it is one of the most diversified media sectors. As of 2015, 72% of radiostations offer broadcasting in Arabic, 48% in English and 24% in French. In 1994, the Audiovisual Media Lawabolished state monopoly on the broadcasting sector. This led dozens of TV and radio stations that openedduring and after the civil war to close, favoring the control of a few powerful local and regional tycoons on thesector at the expense of pluralism.



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/context/history/




Two categories of radio



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Al-Nour Radio Liban Radio Liban Libre Radio Orient

After the 1994 Law was passed, the Council of Ministers allowed 15 radio stations to broadcast in twocategories: 1 and 2. Since, several other stations have been licensed.

Category 1 stations are allowed to broadcast political news. This category includes Radio Orient, Radio LibanLibre, Jabal Lebnan, NBN (Radio Al-Risala), Al-Nour, Sawt El Shaab, Voix du Liban 100.3, Sawt El Ghad, Voice ofVan, Sawt El Watan, Sawt El Mada, Nidaa FM, Lubnan Al-Arabi, Voice of Beirut, Radio Liban, Al-Fajr Radio, andVoix du Liban 93.3, among others. Category 2 radio stations are not authorized to broadcast political news.These are Radio Delta, Radio Scoop, France FM, Light FM, Faddoul Music, Radio In, Sound of Music, Radio One,Nostalgie, Mix FM, Pax Network, Al-Bachaer, Radio Al-Wihda, MSB, Strike, and Rotana Radio among others.

Out of the eight radio stations chosen within the MOM project, only one is state-owned (Radio Liban), five areaffiliated with political parties (Voix du Liban 100.3, Radio Liban Libre, Sawt El Shaab, Sawt El Mada and Al-Nour), while the remaining two (Voix du Liban 93.3 and Radio Orient) belong to Lebanese families, which havebeen highly engaged in Lebanese politics. Six out of eight radio stations are owned by political parties who alsoown TV stations and newspapers: Al-Nour is a pro-Hezbollah radio station, Voix du Liban 100.3 is pro-PhalangeParty, Radio Liban Libre is pro-Lebanese Forces, Sawt El-Mada is pro-Free Patriotic Movement, Radio Orient ispro-Future Movement, and Sawt El Shaab is pro-Communist Party.

Radio Database



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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/radio-orient/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/radio-liban-libre/


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-nour/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/sawt-el-shaab/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/voix-du-liban-1003/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/sawt-el-mada/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/radio-liban/
















https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/sawt-el-mada/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-nour/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/radio-liban/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/radio-liban-libre/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/radio-orient/




Sawt El Mada Sawt El Shaab Voix du Liban 100.3 Voix du Liban 93.3

There is also an Armenian radio station called Voice of Van, which broadcasts most of its programs inArmenian, and several religious radio stations such as Voice of Charity and Voice of Gospel, along with sportsstations such as Nejmé FM and Ansar FM.

Dennis, E., Martin, J., & Wood, R. (2017). Media use in the Middle East, 2017: A seven-nation survey.Northwestern University in Qatar.

Accessed on November 20, 2018. اإلعالمي القطاع يتقاسمون والطوائف السياسيون: لبنان في والمسموع المرئي اإلعالم .

Lebanon FM Frequencies. FM Scan. Accessed on September 28, 2018

BBC. Lebanon profile. Accessed on September 28, 2018.

Metadata

Sources



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/sawt-el-shaab/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/voix-du-liban-1003/




http://www.mideastmedia.org/survey/2017/

http://archive.aawsat.com/details.asp?issueno=8435&article=131262#.W_Pd2Icza71

http://archive.aawsat.com/details.asp?issueno=8435&article=131262#.W_Pd2Icza71

https://fmscan.org/net3.php?r=f&m=s&itu=LBN&rg=0

https://fmscan.org/net3.php?r=f&m=s&itu=LBN&rg=0

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14648683




TelevisionTV is still the most prominent medium for news in Lebanon. The country witnessed the creation of the firsttelevision station in the Middle East in 1959 under the name “Compagnie libanaise de télévision,” which laterbecame Télé Liban. After the implementation of the Audiovisual Media Law No. 382 of 1994, several privatestations were granted licenses and Télé Liban’s monopoly over broadcasting ended.



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There are now 22 free-to-air television channels in Lebanon, all of them are now broadcasting via satellite, and



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Al-Jadeed Al-Manar Future TV LBCI

MTV NBN OTV Télé Liban

all nine TV channels covered in the project are politically affiliated, and political parties remain an importantsource of funding. Out of nine local TV stations, only one is state-owned (Télé Liban), while the eight others arein the hands of at least ten prominent Lebanese families (LBCI, MTV, Future TV, NBN, Al Jadeed, OTV, TéléLumière/Noursat) and one political party (Al-Manar). At least two TV stations were shut down temporarilybecause of their opposition to the authorities: Al Jadeed in 1997 and MTV in 2002.

As it had become apparent for many years that each sectarian group had its own television networkbroadcasting to a specific target group, this trend gradually spread to online media sources, onlinenewspapers, social media news accounts, and political social media accounts.

Television Database



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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lbci/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/mtv/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/future-tv/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/nbn/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-jadeed/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/otv/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/tele-lumiere-and-noursat/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/tele-lumiere-and-noursat/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-manar/



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-jadeed/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-manar/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/future-tv/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lbci/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/mtv/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/nbn/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/otv/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/tele-liban/




Télé Lumière andNoursat


Tele Liban. Official Website. Accessed on November 20, 2018

MTV. Official Website. Accessed on November 20, 2018.

Sources



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http://www.teleliban.com.lb/about


https://www.mtv.com.lb/about




PrintLebanon has been historically known for having had one of the highest ratios of private newspapers per capitain the Middle East and North Africa. As the popularity and rapid development of media outlets online and socialnetworks have increased, print news popularity has dropped significantly, causing a decrease in advertisingrevenues and sales. Today, out of the 110 licensed print outlets in the country, only 10 daily newspapers andless than 20 political weekly or monthly magazines are still published.



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Addiyar Al Joumhouria Al Mustaqbal Al-Akhbar

Foreign funding, a main source of money for the print media, has decreased massively since Gulf countrieslaunched their own TV channels and networks. This intensified more recently with the global financial crisis andthe fall in oil prices.

For example, Assafir, one of the most popular newspapers in Lebanon, went from selling over 50,000 copies aday in 2010, to selling less than 10,000 copies by 2016, the year when it permanently closed for financialreasons.

Also, Al-Bayrak newspaper and both Monday Morning and La Revue du Liban magazines suspendedpublication in 2011, while Al-Kifah Al-Arabi newspaper-turned-magazine closed in 2015, along with Strategiaand Elfann magazines. Al-Ousbou Al-Arabi, a weekly publication owned by Georges Abou Adal suspendedpublication in 2014. Al-Hawadeth weekly magazine was shut down the same year, Al-Ittihad newspaper in theautumn of 2017 and Al-Balad newspaper in the summer of 2018. Dar Assayad, which included Al-Anwarnewspaper, as well as Assayad, Al-Shabaka, Fairouz, Al-Difaa Al-Arabi and Al-Fares magazines, ceasedpublication in October 2018.

Dailies

Over the past five years, the circulation of daily newspapers has decreased quite significantly, leading to theclosure of three of the most popular newspapers, both within the last two years. In Lebanon in 2015, 20% ofdailies on the market were foreign. Newspaper ad revenues have also decreased in Lebanon from USD 37million to USD 28 million between 2010 and 2015.

Magazines

Out of 1,197 political magazine titles registered in the Middle East and North Africa in 2015, Lebanon owned192 (16%) of them, the second highest in the region. The total circulation of magazines in Lebanon in 2015 wasapproximately 6 million.

Print Database



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/addiyar/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-joumhouria/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-mustaqbal/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-akhbar-2/




Al-Binaa Al-Liwaa Annahar El Shark

L’Orient-Le Jour The Daily Star


Trombetta, L. Lebanon - Print. Medialandscapes. Accessed on October 3, 2018.

Sources



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-binaa/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-liwaa/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/annahar/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/el-shark/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lorient-le-jour/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/the-daily-star/



https://medialandscapes.org/country/lebanon/media/print

https://medialandscapes.org/country/lebanon/media/print



OnlineAs of 2016, there were 4.5 million Internet users in Lebanon (75.9% of the population). As a result, online mediaand news in Lebanon have grown massively. According to the Arab Media Outlook 2009–2013 report, 23% ofLebanese people read news online more than five times a week, whilst 40% do so between one and four timesa week, and 37% four times a month or less.



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Al Kalima Online Bint Jbeil El-Nashra Janoubia

Locally created news outlets are among the most popular online: Lbcgroup.tv and Aljadeed.tv being twoexamples. According to the Effective Measure report based upon data collected from 11,937 people activeonline during September 2016, Lbcgroup.tv proved the most popular with an audience of 1.2 million during themonth. Lebanon24 and Tayyar.org were 2nd and 3rd respectively.

With the introduction of the Internet, user-generated content was accompanied by a wave of bloggers, citizenjournalists and media-literate people who were seeking change in the Lebanese media. The latest politicalturmoil in the country – the 2015 summer of popular demonstrations – was heavily covered by bloggers whopublished reports about corruption, while demanding reform and stability – all this through their independentonline outlets (Farha, Nasr, Karam, Trad, 2018).

As of 2017, there are 3.4 million Facebook users and 1.3 million Instagram users in Lebanon. Facebookpenetration is very high - over 50% in 2016, whereas other social media, such as Twitter, had a penetration ofbelow 2%.

The top news websites in Lebanon belong to, or mirror, the same political parties that own the country’straditional media. The same political agendas reflected in traditional media also exist online. Thanks todigitization, Lebanon’s residents have access to a variety of news platforms, from 24-hour cable and satellitechannels to Internet sites and text message services. But this wide range of available media outlets does nottranslate into a greater plurality of opinions. Many new sources simply replicate the voices expressed throughtraditional media.

Online database



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-kalima-online/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/bint-jbeil/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/el-nashra/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/janoubia/




Lebanese-Forces.com Lebanon 24 Lebanon Debate Lebanon Files

Tayyar.org Ya Sour


Trombetta, L. (2018). Lebanon – Media Landscape. Accessed on October 15, 2018

Facebook and Instagram user demographics in Lebanon (2017). Accessed on October 15, 2018

Farha, GN., Nasr EY., Karam LY., Trad. SE. The Impact of Digital Blogosphere on Lebanese Journalism:Continuity or Substitution? International Journal of Social Sciences and Education. Volume 8 Issue 2, April2018. . Accessed on November 26, 2018.

Sources



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lebanese-forcescom/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lebanon-24/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lebanon-debate/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lebanon-files/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/tayyarorg/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/ya-sour/



http://www.databank.com.lb/docs/Media%20Landscape%202018.pdf


https://napoleoncat.com/blog/en/facebook-and-instagram-user-demographics-in-lebanon-august-2017

https://napoleoncat.com/blog/en/facebook-and-instagram-user-demographics-in-lebanon-august-2017

https://www.aust.edu.lb/Research_and_PublicationsFaculty_of_Arts_and_SciencesDepartment_of_Communication_Arts



LBCIThe Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) is a media institutionfounded by the Lebanese Forces on August 23, 1985. It was thepolitical party’s main channel during the civil war and the first tobreak the monopoly of Télé Liban over television broadcasting. Itused to own the French-language TV channel C33, which wasfounded on September 12, 1988, and shut down on October 7, 1996due to financial constraints. Lebanese businessman Pierre Daherhas been chairman of LBC since its creation and in 1991 establishedLBCI, which bought LBC from the Lebanese Forces. In 1996, acompany was created outside of Lebanon as a joint venturebetween LBCI and AMC (Arab Media Co), headed by Saleh AbdullahKamel, a prominent Arabic businessman, who owned 49%, whileLBCI had 51% of the shares. In 1997, the Lebanese State granted LBCI an official license for terrestrialbroadcasting only a year after the Audiovisual Media Law was implemented. In 1998, LBCI began broadcastingvia satellite to Europe, America and Australia (under the LBC Sat brand). On December 14, 2004, LBCI and theLondon-based Al-Hayat newspaper created a joint newsroom first headed by Jihad Khazen and then byGeorges Semaan.

Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal is a Saudi businessman, investor, member of the Saudi royal family and grandson ofRiad Al Solh, Lebanon’s first post-Independence Prime Minister. In 2007 he acquired more than 85% of bothLBC SAT’s and PAC’s (the content provider for LBCI) shares. Consequently, the capital of PAC and LBC SAT wasincreased by 78 million dollars, reaching 123 million dollars in total. Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal was the only oneto subscribe. Thus, the shares of Lebanese shareholders declined considerably. Some of them sold theirshares, while others kept them, such as Pierre Daher who remained at the head of the group. This is howPrince Al-Waleed Bin Talal became the largest shareholder after he had bought Saleh Kamel’s shares in 2003.

A legal conflict then started between Daher and Bin Talal in 2011. On March 14, 2012, LBC SAT startedbroadcasting from Egypt after 15 years in Lebanon. LBCI and LBC SAT split and PAC Company was liquidated.

While the LBC Sat channels continued to broadcast LBCI’s programs, Bin Talal filed a lawsuit in the UK toacquire ownership. However, the LBCI’s attorney transferred the case before the French arbitration court in2013, in the complaint filed against Bin Talal to stop controlling LBC Europe, LBC America, LBC Africa, LBCAustralia and LBC Maghreb, to waive his alleged right to said channels and give them back to LBCI for onedollar only. In July 2018, the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris “ICC” ruled in favor of LBCI againstPrince Al-Waleed Bin Talal’s companies.

Lebanese Diaspora Corportation (LDC) is a Lebanese channel created by Pierre Daher on November 25, 2012following the split between LBCI and LBC Sat. LDC serves as the new satellite broadcasting channel for LBCIprograms.



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In the beginning of 2013, Daher launched LBCI Drama, a high-definition channel for Lebanese viewers only.

On September 17, 2016, Pierre Daher launched LBCI 2, a terrestrial TV targeting youth to replace the LBCIDrama. It offers a variety of local and Arabic series as well as Turkish drama series. It does not broadcast anypolitical programs or news bulletins.

The conflict opposing LBCI to Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces party, started when Geagea wasreleased after years in prison in 2005. Geagea asked Daher to return LBCI to the party, guaranteeing thesupervision of all media outlets affiliated with the Lebanese Forces. Daher rejected the offer and Geagea filed acomplaint against Daher in 2007 for “misuse of trust, fraud and embezzlement.” The trial sessions are stillongoing and included a confrontation between Geagea and Daher in June 2018. The judgment is expected inFebruary 2019. Jean Feghali is LBCI’s news director.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type

Media Companies / Groups

41.7%

Private

National

Free content

Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International SAL

Data Publicly Available ownership data is easily available from other sources, e. g.public registries etc.



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Ownership

Ownership StructureThe main owner of LBCI, until courts decide otherwise, is Pierre Daher andother family members: his brother Marcel, his wife Randa and her sistersRoula, Imane, and Rima, directly owning a total of 46.57%, and through WorldMedia Group, which is owned by Pierre Daher's children, Peter and Yara(33.33% each) and their maternal aunt Imane (33.33%), and Monitor Holding,which is owned by Pierre Daher's children, Peter, Yara and Ray (33.33%) each.Other key shareholders are former Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares andhis son Najad (10% each), as well as Maroun Jazzar; Investcom, which isaffiliated with former Prime Minister Najib Mikati's family (99.5% of Investcomshares); and Salah Osseiran.

Voting RightsMissing Data

Individual OwnerDaher-Saad Family 50.6%

Issam Fares 20%

Maroun Jazzar 4.4%

Mikati Family 4%

Salah Osseiran 4%



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/daher-saad-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/issam-fares/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/maroun-jazzar/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/mikati-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/salah-osseiran/




Lebanese Broadcasting CorporationInternational SAL


Facts

General Information

Financial Information

1985

Lebanese Forces Party

Pierre Daher

Jean Feghali (News Director)

Phone: +961 (9) 850850LBC Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing DataRevenue (in Mill. $)



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/lebanese-broadcasting-corporation-international-sal/

https://www.lbcgroup.tv/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Operating Profit (in Mill. $)

Advertising (in % of totalfunding)

Market Share

Chidiac, M. (2014). La television mise à nu. L'Orient des Livres. (Available inFrench only).

Audience share for TV stations is based on IPSOS data (Q1 and Q2 of 2018).

Asharq al-Awsat (2005). األوسط الشرق سي بي ال تاريخ في محطات . Accessed on 11

September 2018.

Asharq al-Awsat (2003). سي بي ال من بالمئة49يمتلك الوليد . Accessed on 18

September 2018.

Al-Akhbar (2012). الفضاء عن االرض ارتباط فك بجأ سي بي ال . Accessed on 10 October

2018.

LBC Group’s Official Website. Accessed on 11 September 2018.

Sudaress (2012). موظف400لتسريح ادى والوليد بيار بين الخالف . Accessed on 11

September 2018.

Al-Akhbar (2010). سي بي ال مكياجها تغير واالرضية الفضائية ابتلع الوليد . Accessed on 11

September 2018.

Khiyam (2012). ادما في االلغاء حرب . Accessed on 11 September 2018.

Al-Rai (2013). للتواصل وسيلتنا جعبته من سي دي ال أخرج الضاهر بيار . Accessed on 17

September 2018.

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources



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http://archive.aawsat.com/details.asp?article=284933&issueno=9587#.W5olOSQza71

http://archive.aawsat.com/details.asp?article=205725&issueno=9135#.W5olTyQza71

https://www.al-akhbar.com/Media_Tv/66942

https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/d/Lebanon/201985/

https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/arhttps://www.sudaress.com/alrakoba/50686

http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/59362

http://www.khiyam.com/news/article.php?articleID=12879

http://m.alraimedia.com/ar/article/arts/2013/01/09/381838/nr/nc



Al-Manar website (2015). الوليد من قنواتها تستعيد سي بي ال . Accessed on 11

September 2018.

Bisara7a (2016). ورائدة جرئية خطوة في الضاهر بيار الشيخ . Accessed on 16 September

2018.

Al-Akhbar (2016). lbci2 غدا تنطلق . Accessed on 23 October 2018.

Elaph (2007). الدوالرات ماليين على خالف والضاهر جعجع . Accessed on 19 September

2018.

Khiyam (2007). الضاهر بيار على تدعي القوات . Accessed on 16 September 2018.

LBC Group’s Official Website (2015). الوليد قبضة من قنواتها تستعيد سي بي ال . Accessed

on 14 June 2018.

Yemen Press (2015). Accessed on 18 September 2018.

An-nahar (2018). بين النزاع ًانهائي َصلَف تحكيمي قرار LBCI طالل بن والوليد . Accessed on 2

July 2018.

Al-Akhbar (2016). االخبار السعودي اإلعالم يمول الضاهر بيار . Accessed on 18 October

2018.

TV audience sharesDocuments



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http://archive.almanar.com.lb/article.php?id=1270916

http://bisara7a.com/

https://www.al-akhbar.com/

https://elaph.com/Web/Politics/2007/11/280722.html

http://khiyam.com/news/article.php?articleID=2048

https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/225499/

https://yemen-press.com/mobile/news52909.html

https://www.annahar.com/article/826203


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6391&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=95af80c2af7f34619aa4458d541a6e9d



Télé LibanIn October 1954, two Lebanese businessmen, Wissam Ezzeddineand Alex Moufarrej, submitted a request to create a TV station. InAugust 1956, the Lebanese government granted them a televisioncompany license under the name Compagnie libanaise de télévision(CLT) for a period of 15 years. In the spring of 1957, LebanesePresident Camille Chamoun and Prime Minister Sami Solh laid downthe foundations for the first TV station building in the Middle East,on a sandy hill in Beirut called Tallet El-Khayat. On May 28, 1959, thestation was officially launched by General Sleiman Nawfal, CLT’s firstGeneral Manager. It aired programs in two languages, operating twoVHF channels: Canal 7 (an Arabic-speaking channel) and Canal 9 (aFrench-speaking channel). During that period, broadcasting time didnot exceed six hours per day, from 6 pm to midnight. CLT’s successencouraged a group of Lebanese businessmen to set up and form asecond television named Télé-Orient, which obtained its own license in July 1961. The station began operatingin May 1962 from its headquarters in Hazmieh, east of the capital, and was known under the names of Canal 5and Canal 11.

Télé Liban’s activity is marked three periods: the first one from the late 1950s until the late 1970s. The secondperiod started in 1978 when CLT and Télé-Orient merged as a joint venture company, equally divided betweenthe public and the private sectors and operated under the name of Télé Liban. Télé Liban was granted a licensefor 25 years with a monopoly over broadcasting until 2012. As for the third period, it started in 1996 when theState bought all the private sector shares. The private sector shares had previously been bought by more thanone investor, the latest being former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who acquired all the private sector shares.

Télé Liban's monopoly was removed under the 1994 Audiovisual Media Law, and several private stations weregranted broadcasting licenses. Since then, Télé Liban found itself facing tremendous competition, whichimpacted its advertising revenues. The TV station was shut down in February 2001 and its employees were alllaid off by decision of the Council of Ministers; it would be reopened within three months. However, threemonths were not enough to reorganize Télé Liban as required and, according to TV standards, it was reopenedprematurely on May 25, 2001 and a modest budget of 120,000 USD was monthly allocated by the government.

Currently, Télé Liban does not have a Chairman of the Board knowing that eight people have managed the TVstation throughout the years. Télé Liban’s latest chairman was Talal Makdessi, whose mandate witnessedsignificant technological developments. It started airing using fiber optic cables since the shift of work hastransformed from analogue to digital. Also, when Makdessi took over the TV channel, Télé Liban had 19broadcasting stations in the different Lebanese regions but only 5 of them were operational. Now, 17 of themare functional and Télé Liban became the first to cover more than 95% of the Lebanese territories. Télé Libanalso broadcasted the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup games. Conflict occurred between Minister of InformationMelhem Riachi and Chairman Talal Makdessi in March 2017 (Riachi believes Makdessi “never complied with theMinistry’s requests to cease his violations of the company’s regulations. […] These serious distortions have



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provoked very strong reactions from officials and employees within the channel, which has led us to resort tolegal proceedings.”) This led to a judicial decision on May 26, 2017 following which Makdessi was dismissed. Theposition of Chairman remains vacant because of the difficulty to appoint someone amid political tensions. TéléLiban’s news director is Saeb Diab.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


11.6%

Public

National

Free content

Télé Liban SAL


Ownership

Ownership StructureTélé Liban SAL is owned by the Lebanese State.


Individual OwnerLebanese State 99.9%



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Télé Liban SAL


Facts

General Information


1954

Wissam Ezzeddine and Alex Moufarrej

Currently Vacant

Jalal Assaf

Phone: +961 (1) 788800Télé Liban Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/tele-liban-sal/

http://www.teleliban.com.lb/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share



Télé Liban’s Official Website. Accessed on 28 September 2018.

14 March Official Website (2015). يغطي أصبح: لبنان تلفزيون في االنجازات عن اعلن مقدسياللبنانية االراضي من% 95من اكثر . Accessed on 28 September 2018.

Elnashra (2017). لبنان تلفزيون في منصبه من المقدسي يعزل المستعجلة االمور قاضي: النشرة .

Accessed on 28 September 2018.

Lebanon / Méditerranée Audiovisuelle (2017). Sacking Télé-Liban’s

provisional CEO. Accessed on 28 September 2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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http://14march.org/news-details.php?nid=Njc3OTE4

https://www.elnashra.com/news/show/1106409/

http://mediterranee-audiovisuelle.com/lebanon-sacking-tele-libans-provisional-ceo/?lang=en




MTVMTV (Murr TV) was founded in 1991 by Gabriel Murr, a Lebanesebusinessman and politician. He is the brother of current MP andformer Deputy Prime Minister Michel Elias Murr. MTV’s current CEOand chairman is Michel Gabriel Murr, Gabriel's son. The TV stationwas shut down in 2002 as a result of Syrian pressure andintimidation. However, the legal argument raised was that it violatedarticle 68 of the electoral law of 1999. This article bans propagandaduring the election process, which the station had been found guilty of in favor of Murr who ran for Parliamentin June 2002 against his niece, Mirna Murr (daughter of former Deputy Prime Minister Michel Elias Murr andsister of then Interior Minister Elias Murr) and won. The Lebanese security forces stormed the offices, roughedup the staff and ordered them to leave the offices. The station finally reopened its doors seven years later, onApril 7, 2009, two months before the 2009 parliamentary elections. It is important to note that, back in 2005,the Lebanese parliament decided to amend article 68 and reopen the station after the Syrian troupes withdrewfrom Lebanon and the anti-Syrian opposition coalition won a majority in Lebanon’s parliament, but the stationremained closed.

In March 1995, MTV got its license under the Audiovisual Media Law and launched its local news broadcastsalong with a number of political and socio-economic shows. The TV station supports the views of the March 14Alliance (a coalition of political parties and movements that was formed after Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’sassassination or the so-called Cedar Revolution). This Alliance was named after a huge protest that gatheredmore than a million people in the streets of Beirut on March 14, 2005. MTV’s news director is Walid Abboud.



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Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


32.5%

Private

National

Free content

MTV SAL

Data Unavailable ownership data is not publicly available, company/channeldenies the release of information or does not respond, nopublic record exists

Ownership

Ownership StructureThe documents made available by the Ministry of Justice's CommercialRegister mention five co-owners of MTV SAL: four children of Gabriel Murr(Michel, Jyad, Carl and Carole) as well as Joseph Sarkis, without detailing thenumber of shares each one of them holds.


Individual OwnerGabriel Murr Family

Joseph Sarkis



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/joseph-sarkis/




MTV SAL


Facts

General Information


1991

Gabriel Murr, former Member of Parliament (2002).

Michel Gabriel Murr

Walid Abboud (News Director)

Phone: +961 (4) 444000MTV Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/mtv-sal/


https://www.mtv.com.lb/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share



MTV’s Official Website. Accessed on 11 September 2018.

Al-Modon (2016). تبتلع أن من أكبر.. البلدية ّرالم إمبراطورية . Accessed on 11 September

2018.

Legal Agenda (2015). المخالف الرأي صاحبة عون، غادة . Accessed on 11 September

2018.

Menassat (2009). السياسي؟ أم اإلعالمي المشهد الى تعود في تي أم ال . Accessed on 11

September 2018.

HuffPost (2011). Lebanon’s MTV News Defies Critics, Rolls With the

Punches. on September 28, 2018.

Profile of Michel Murr on the Murr Group website. Accessed on 11

September 2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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https://www.almodon.com/politics/2016/5/14/

http://legal-agenda.com/article.php?id=1049

http://www.menassat.com/?q=ar/news-articles/5869-

http://web.archive.org/web/20171011153108/https:/www.huffingtonpost.com/magda-abufadil/murr-television-lebanon_b_931657.html

http://www.groupmurr.com/founders




NBNThe National Broadcasting Network (NBN) was founded in 1996 byLebanon’s Parliament Speaker and head of Amal movement, NabihBerri, pursuant to Decree No. 10059 of January 10, 1998.

In September 2000, NBN launched its satellite channel via Nile Sat tocover the Arab World, Europe and Africa. Since 2004, NBN isavailable in the United States, through Reach Media Inc and in NorthAmerica, Latin America, Australia and Canada as part of ART. NBN isthe official television of the Lebanese Amal movement. KassemSoueid is chair of NBN’s board of directors and MohammadNoureddine is its news director.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


4.8%

Private

National

Free content

National Broadcasting Network (NBN) SAL




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Ownership

Ownership StructureNBN is the television of the Amal Movement led by Speaker of ParliamentNabih Berri. However, the Berri family itself only appears through threeshareholders, Nabih Berri's siblings Mahmoud and Amina, as well as hissister-in-law Samira Assi, owning a total of 19.70%. The other majorshareholders are close political allies of Berri and leading officials of the AmalMovement, from the Hamdan family (29.8%), Ahmad Hussein and NBN's CEOKassem Soueid (10% each). Also listed is William Mjalli (9.89% of the shares),who is in fact the chief-of-staff of former Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares.


Individual OwnerHamdan Family 29.8%

Berri Family 19.7%

Ahmad Hussein 10%

Kassem Soueid 10%

William Mjalli 9.9%



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/berri-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/ahmad-hussein/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/kassem-soueid/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/william-mjalli/




National Broadcasting Network(NBN) SAL


Facts

General Information


1996

Nabih Berri, Speaker of Parliament since 1992.

Kassem Soueid

Mohammad Noureddine (News Director)

Phone: +961 (1) 803981NBN Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/national-broadcasting-network-nbn-sal/

http://www.nbn.com.lb/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share



NBN’s Official Website. Accessed on 11 September 2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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AnnaharOne of the oldest Lebanese daily political newspapers, Annahar wasfounded by Ambassador Gebran Tueni. Its first issue came out onAugust 4, 1933, and Tueni’s son Ghassan joined the newsroom in1948 till 1999. Following his father’s footsteps, he became one of themost prominent journalists in Lebanon, even assuming diplomatic,parliamentary, and ministerial posts. Ghassan’s son, Gebran, alsofollowed this path until he was assassinated in a car bomb onDecember 12 2005, after he was elected a Member of Parliament for Beirut. Six months earlier, Annaharjournalist Samir Kassir was assassinated in similar circumstances on June 2, 2005.

In 2009, the newspaper suffered a financial crisis and dismissed over 50 employees. The same situationoccurred again in 2016 and some of those who were let go filed complaints against the newspaper at theMinistry of Labor. In January 2009, Annahar launched its Web TV and in June 2013, the daily launched a newprint and an online version. Former MP and Gebran’s daughter Nayla Tueni is the General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper. Ghassan Hajjar is the Director of Publication.

Annahar covers local and international news, health, beauty, technology, women, science, arts, society,entertainment, and social issues.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9.4%

Private

National

Paid

Annahar SAL




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Ownership

Ownership StructureMembers of the Tueni family directly own 20.62%. Current Education MinisterMarwan Hamade - the uncle of the Tueni children - owns 0.15% and the NadiaTueni Foundation, an association named after the first wife of late GhassanTueni owns 2.2%. The Hariri family owns 99.9% of Al Mal Investment Co. SALHolding, which holds 39.6% of Annahar SAL.


Individual OwnerTueni Family 23%

Hariri Family 39.6%

Ali Ghandour 1.7%

Group / Individual OwnerOthers 35.8%



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/hariri-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/ali-ghandour/




Annahar SAL


Facts

General Information

1933

Gebran Tueni, Lebanese journalist, diplomat, and politician.

Nayla Tueni, former Member of Parliament (2009-2018) and great-grand-daughter of the founder.

Nayla Tueni

Ghassan Hajjar, Managing Editor since 2009, Hajjar joined Annahar as ajournalist in 1996. The Director of Annahar Center for Training and Research,he teaches at the Antonine University and the Lebanese University.

| | www.annahar.com | Annahar WebsitePhone: +961 (1) 994 888

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Other Important People

Contact



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/annahar-sal/


http://http//www.annahar.com

http://www.annahar.com/




Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Revenue (in Mill. $)



Market Share

Audience share for newspapers is based on IPSOS data (average readership2016 and 2017).

إنهاء.. 2017الـ في" النهار "أزمة! .بإنسانية وال بأخالق تعاملنا لم تويني: الجريدة يقاضون" النهار "مفصولوموظف؟100عمل . Accessed on 11 October 2018.

Newspapers audience shares

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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https://www.annahar.com/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6389&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=e6f4bf67c8a796b2e6dbeb0f948eadd0



L’Orient-Le JourA Lebanese French-language daily newspaper, L’Orient-Le Jour is theonly francophone daily newspaper in Lebanon. It was first issued onJune 15, 1971, after the two papers L’Orient - founded in 1924 byformer MP Gabriel Khabbaz and Minister Georges Naccache - andLe Jour - founded in 1934 by politician and businessman MichelChiha, merged for economic reasons. In 1976, the Syrian armybriefly shut down the newspaper because of its stance against itsmilitary intervention in Lebanon. The anti-Syrian regime editorial line was confirmed in 2005 after theassassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and since, the newspaper has been known to support theMarch 14 Alliance.

The paper covers politics, local and international news, finance, economics, culture, entertainment, and sports.The paper also publishes a monthly L’Orient-Le Jour Junior youth magazine, as well as a cultural supplement,L'Orient Littéraire, which is published on the first Thursday of every month. The latter was founded in 1929 bythe poet Georges Schehadé.

Former Minister Michel Eddé is L’Orient-Le Jour’s Chairman of the Board. Emilie Sueur, Ziyad Makhoul andMichel Touma have been Editors-in-Chief since 2015.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


3.1%

Private

National

Paid

Société Générale de Presse et d'Édition SAL

Passive Transparency upon request, ownership data is easily available from thecompany/channel



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Ownership

Ownership StructureThe main shareholders are former Minister Michel Eddé and his grandsons(38%), the Choueiri group (22.7%), and the family of Minister of State forPlanification Michel Pharaon, who owns 15.49%, directly through Mr. Pharaon(2.6%), his sister Nayla de Freige (1.7%), and companies they also own, i.e.Pharaon Holding SAL (11%) and Libano-Suisse Insurance Consulting (0.2%).


Individual OwnerEddé Family 38%

Choueiri Family 22.7%

Pharaon Family 15.5%




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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/edde-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/choueiri-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/pharaon-family/




Société Générale de Presse etd'Édition SAL


Facts

General Information

1971

Gabriel Khabbaz, a Beirut MP, and Georges Naccache, then Minister ofInformation and Tourism as well as Lebanon's Ambassador in France, co-founded L'Orient in 1924. Michel Chiha, a Lebanese politician who wrotethe Constitution, founded Le Jour in 1934

Michel Eddé, former Minister and President of the Maronite Foundation.

Emilie Sueur, Ziyad Makhoul and Michel Touma since 2015.

Michel Hélou (Executive Director), Michel Eddé's grandson and owns 0.005%of the newspaper's affiliated company.

P.O. Box 45-254 BeirutPhone: +961 (5) 956 444L'Orient-Le Jour Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/societe-generale-de-presse-et-dedition-sal/

https://www.lorientlejour.com/




Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

The official document provided by the Ministry of Justice's CommercialRegister mentions that the company's total number of shares is 175,000,000.However, shareholders have personally confirmed this is a mistake and thatthe exact number is 17,500,000 shares.Audience share for newspapers is based on IPSOS data (average readership2016 and 2017).

Official Website L'Orient-Le Jour.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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Radio OrientRadio Orient is a Lebanese radio station broadcast from Beirut. Itfirst aired in 1982 from Paris and was founded by Raghid al-Shammaa, a French-Lebanese businessman based in Paris. It wassold to former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in late 1994 and obtainedits license the same year. At the time, it was one of the strongestArab media outlets in Europe. Hariri’s adviser Hani Hammoud wasappointed as its general manager, but the latter began his new roleby clashing not only with a significant number of employees, butalso with the relevant journalists’ unions in Paris. Hammoudreturned to Beirut to work alongside PM Hariri. The radio continued to operate from both Paris and Beirut, butas financial obstacles erupted frequently, the decision was to save money by laying off staff. The radio airsnews and political programs in addition to diverse local artistic programs and game shows on 88.3 and 88.7 FM.It is currently run by Kamal Risha.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


4.2%

Private

National

Free Content

Radio Orient SAL




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Radio Orient SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureRadio Orient is affiliated with the Hariri family through Wave Holding SAL,which holds 99.7% of Radio Orient SAL. Wave Holding SAL is owned 99.65% byMP Bahia Hariri, aunt of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and sister of late PrimeMinister Rafik Hariri.


Individual OwnerHariri Family 99.4%


Facts

General Information



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/radio-orient-sal/





Further Information

1982

Raghid Al-Shammaa

Kamal Risha (General Manager)

Phone: +961 (1) 370 700| | www.radioorientlb.com | Radio Orient Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Audience share for radio stations is based on IPSOS data (Q1, Q2 and Q3 of2017).

Al Riyadh (2005). الحريري رفيق اغتيال بعد قدميه على بالوقوف يأمل الشرق راديو . Accessed on

10 October 2018.

Radio audience shares

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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http://http//www.radioorientlb.com/

http://www.radioorientlb.com/

http://www.alriyadh.com/40552

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6390&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=829bfda90ba0d4a56c59e2db770e10a5



Sawt El MadaSawt El Mada was founded on June 1, 2009 and obtained its licensethat same year. State Minister Pierre Raffoul of the Free PatrioticMovement has been the CEO since its inception. It is broadcastthroughout all Lebanese regions and can be heard on the followingfrequencies: 92.5, 92.7, and 92.9 FM. It has a diverse network ofprograms: in addition to political news around the clock, it alsopresents artistic, entertainment, cultural, sports, social, and politicalprograms. It also carries out radio production activities. Raja Sawayais the executive director.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9.3%

Private

National

Free Content

Al Mada Group SARL




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Al Mada Group SARL

Ownership

Ownership StructureSawt El Mada is the radio station affiliated with the Free Patriotic Movement(FPM), founded by President Michel Aoun. FPM MP Elias Bou Saab ownsdirectly 24% of the shares and, through his holding Jets Holding SAL, 75%,therefore a total ownership of 99%.


Individual OwnerElias Bou Saab 99%

Group / Individual OwnerFawzi MoutranFawzi Moutran is a Lebanese lawyer. 1%


Facts



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/elias-bou-saab/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/al-mada-group-sarl/



General Information


Further Information

2009

Elias Bou Saab, former Minister of Education (2014-2016) and Member ofParliament (since 2018).

Pierre Raffoul, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs (since 2016).

Raja Sawaya (Executive Director)

P.O. Box 90-1346Phone: +961 (3) 492 020| | www.sawtelmada.com | Sawt El Mada Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Sawt El Mada. About. Accessed on 10 October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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http://http//www.sawtelmada.com/

http://www.sawtelmada.com/

http://www.sawtelmada.com/about-us/




Al-ManarAl-Manar was founded in 1991. The TV station is fully affiliated withHezbollah, and calls itself the Station of the Resistance. It is part ofthe Lebanese Communication Group, which also includes Al-NourRadio. The programming is strongly anti-Israel and anti-US.

Al-Manar first began terrestrial broadcasting in 1991, and waslicensed pursuant to Decree No. 13476 of November 5, 1998. Itstarted satellite broadcasting in 2000 and unified terrestrial andsatellite broadcasts in 2014.

During the July 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel, Israeli warplanes struck the channel’s headquarters inBeirut’s southern suburb. Broadcasts were cut off for only a few minutes then resumed.

On December 4, 2015, Arabsat (an Arab-league affiliated satellite operator headquartered in the city of Riyadh,Saudi Arabia) blocked the broadcast of Al-Manar channel via its satellites, accusing it and another station, calledAl-Mayadeen, of violating the operators’ charter of honor.

The TV station’s General Manager is Ibrahim Farhat; its news director is Ali Hayek and the program director isMohammad Cherri.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


6.4%

Private

National

Free content

Lebanese Communication Group L.C.G. SAL




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Lebanese Communication GroupL.C.G. SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureAl-Manar presents itself as Hezbollah's television station. It is part of theLebanese Communication Group L.C.G SAL, whose board only includes high-ranking Hezbollah officials, including two former Members of ParliamentAbdallah Kassir and Mohammad Haidar. However the distribution of sharesamong those officials is not made public in the document released by theMinistry of Justice's Commercial Register.


Individual OwnerHezbollah 100%


Facts



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/hezbollah/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/lebanese-communication-group-lcg-sal/



General Information


Further Information

1991

Hezbollah

Ibrahim Farhat

Ali Hayek (News Director)

Mohamad CherriProgram Director

Phone: +961 (1) 276000Al-Manar Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



Al-Manar’s Official Website. Accessed on 28 September 2018.

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources



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http://www.almanar.com.lb/

http://www.almanar.com.lb/about



RT Online (2015). المنار "قناة تحجب" سات عرب "شركة ". Accessed on 28 September

2018.

" والمنار الميادين "بحجب يرتبط ال لبنان لخارج الباقة نقل": سات عرب ". Accessed on 28

September 2018.

Lebanese Ministry of Justice (2018). Commercial Register – اللبنانية المجموعة.Accessed on 10 November 2018 .لالعالم

Lebanese University (2018). ."ل.م .ش لالعالم اللبنانية المجموعة - المنار "لشركة الترخيص

االولى الفئة من تلفزيونية بمؤسسة . Accessed on 9 November 2018.




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https://arabic.rt.com/news/802720

https://sabq.org/qmOgde

http://cr.justice.gov.lb/search/result.aspx?id=2000015691

http://www.legallaw.ul.edu.lb/AmendedArticles.aspx?lawId=198878




Al-LiwaaA daily political newspaper, Al-Liwaa deals with Arab, regional, andinternational affairs. It was founded by Abdel Ghani Salam in 1963and is pro-March 14 Alliance. The paper includes a section called"Islamiyyat" which covers Islamic religious topics. Adnan Ghalayini isthe Administrative Director, and Salah Salam is the Editor-in-Chief. Itis published in Arabic in Beirut by Dar Al-Liwaa for Press andPublishing.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


1.8%

Private

National

Paid

Dar Al-Liwaa for Press and Publishing SAL




62 / 1471



Dar Al-Liwaa for Press andPublishing SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureThe three daughters of Salah Salam, Nisrine, Sirine and Nadine own 98% ofthe shares. Salah Salam owns 1% and his wife Najwa 1% as well.


Individual OwnerSalam Family 100%


Facts

General Information



63 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/salam-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/dar-al-liwaa-for-press-and-publishing-sal/




Further Information

1963

Abdel Ghani Salam, late Lebanese writer.

Salah Salam

Salah Salam

Phone: +961 (1) 751 000Al Liwaa Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Future Movement undergoing 'structural reorganization'. Accessed 11

October 2018.

Janoubia (2014). اإلعالم مسيرة في ًاعام50و سالم صالح . Accessed 22 November

2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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http://aliwaa.com.lb/

https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-182251437.html

http://janoubia.com/2014/11/26/%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%8850-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85/




Al-NourAl-Nour was launched on May 9, 1988 and obtained its license in1999. It broadcasts from Beirut and represents Hezbollah’s politicaland religious beliefs. It is part of the Lebanese CommunicationGroup. Its coverage reaches all Lebanese territories as well asnorthern Palestine and the Syrian coast. It broadcasts 24 hours aday on the following frequencies: 91.7, 91.9, and 92.3 FM. The radiostation launched its website (http://www.alnour.com.lb/) on May 9,1999, and incorporated continuous live online broadcasting inFebruary 2006. During the July 2006 war, the Israeli Air Force bombed the building that housed the radio’soffices and studios in a residential area of the southern suburbs of Beirut. However, the radio resumed its livebroadcasting seconds afterwards from another undisclosed location, and it continued doing so even after thewar. The general director is Youssef Al-Zein, the news director is Abbas Al-Chaker, and Hanan Husseini is thegeneral program director. It provides news bulletins, as well as political, economic, social programs andinterviews.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


7.1%

Private

National

Free Content





65 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureAl-Nour presents itself as Hezbollah's radio station. It is part of the LebaneseCommunication Group L.C.G SAL, whose board only includes high-rankingHezbollah officials, including two former Members of Parliament AbdallahKassir and Mohammad Haidar. However the distribution of shares amongthose officials is not made public in the document released by the Ministry ofJustice's Commercial Register.




Facts



66 / 1471






General Information


Further Information

1988

Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist political party and militant group.

Youssef Al-Zein (General Manager)

Abbas Al-Chaker (News Director)

Hanan HusseiniGeneral Program Director

Phone: +961 (1) 543 555| | www.alnour.com.lb | Al Nour Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

The data related to the percentage of listeners came from the Radioadministration.Audience share for radio stations is based on IPSOS data (Q1, Q2 and Q3 of2017).

AlNour. About. Accessed on 10 October 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



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http://http//www.alnour.com.lb/

http://www.alnour.com.lb/

http://www.alnour.com.lb/about




Radio audience sharesDocuments



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The Daily StarThe Daily Star was founded in June 1952 by journalist Kamel Mrowa,the owner and Editor-in-Chief of the pan-Arab Al-Hayat dailynewspaper. Malek Mrowa, the son of Kamel Mrowa is its currentChairman of the Board and journalist Nadim Ladki its Editor-in-Chief. It is the only English-language print daily in Lebanon.

The Daily Star stopped printing with the outbreak of the civil war asits offices were in the middle of the battlefield. Its activity resumed in November 1983 with Kamel Mrowa’schildren until mid-1985, when it became a weekly newspaper. The ongoing war eventually halted its activityonce again until 1996.

In January 2009, the paper was closed for two weeks by a Lebanese court order due to financial difficulties andit resumed activity the following month thanks to agreements with creditors regarding the payment ofaccumulated debt. In 2010, a group of businessmen close to the Hariri family bought the paper.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


0.3%

Private

National

Paid

The Daily Star SAL




69 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureMalek Mrowa - son of The Daily Star's founder - and Nadim Ladki - the Editor-in-Chief - own 0.007% of the shares each. The remaining shares are owned byD.S. Holding SAL, which in turn is owned by Middle Holding SAL (founded bySaad Hariri), which in turn is owned by Millennium Development SAL, which inturn is owned by Cayman Islands-based Millennium DevelopmentInternational. The Chairman confirms that the shares ultimately belong to theHariri family. Also, Millennium Development SAL was founded by MillenniumDevelopment Holding SAL, which in turn is owned by Inmaa Holding SAL thatis owned by Mr. Nader Hariri, son of MP Bahia Hariri and cousin and formerchief-of-staff of Prime Minister Saad Hariri.


Individual OwnerHariri Family 100%

Group / Individual OwnerMalek MrowaMalek Mrowa is the son of The Daily Star's founder. ?

Nadim LadkiNadim Ladki is the Daily Star's Editor in Chief. ?



70 / 1471





The Daily Star SAL


Facts

General Information

1952

Kamel Mrowa, late Lebanese publisher and journalist. Besides The Daily Star,he founded the Arabic daily Al-Hayat, and the French language newspaperBeyrouth Matin in 1959. His politics opposed military dictatorships. He waskilled by a gunman in 1966.

Malek Mrowa, Vice-President of the Samir Kassir Foundation and Vice-President of the Democratic Renewal Movement. He is the son of thefounder.

Nadim Ladki

Phone: +961 (1) 985 313Daily Star Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact



71 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/the-daily-star-sal/


http://www.dailystar.com.lb/




Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Arab Media Forum (2013). Nadim Ladki Biography. Accessed on 22

November 2018.


Dailystar. About. Accessed on 11 October 2018.

12th Arab Media Forum 2013. Speaker Profile Nadim Ladki. Accessed on

21 November 2018.


Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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http://www.arabmediaforum.com/en/speakers/2013/speaker/nadim-ladki.aspx

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/AboutUs.aspx





Voix du Liban 93.3Voix du Liban (VDL) was the first private radio station in Lebanon.Owned by the Phalange (Kataeb) Party, it attempted to startbroadcasting in 1958 but its activity was suspended by its foundersafter the end of a three-month civil conflict that year. It resumedbroadcast in 1975 as the first private, commercial, partisan radiostation in the country. In the mid-1990s, the Audiovisual Media Lawwas put into effect to regulate broadcasting in Lebanon anddistribute licenses. Pursuant to this law, the Société Moderned’Information SAL obtained the license to operate VDL, broadcasting on 93.3 FM, granted by the Council ofMinisters. However, the issue of ownership became the subject of a legal controversy between the PhalangeParty, the initial owner in 1975, and the Société Moderne d’Information, represented by the heirs of the lateSimon al-Khazen – the former vice-president of the Phalange Party – who have been running the radio stationsince the 1990s, leading to a split between two radio stations carrying the same name.

When the split happen in 2010, the Société Moderne d’Information-owned VDL moved from Beirut to Dbayeh,north of Beirut, and has been broadcasting on the following FM wavelengths: 93.3 in Beirut, 93.5 in northernLebanon, and 93.1 in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa, Batroun, and Akkar. It has media partnership agreementswith a number of major stations, such as Radio Middle East in Canada which relays VDL 93.3 news. VDL 93.3also retransmits news and radio programs from BBC Arabic, Germany’s Arabic Deutsche Welle channel, theRussian Sputnik Arabic radio, and the Lebanese MTV channel. It provides news bulletins, as well as political,economic and social programs, interviews, music, songs, culture and arts. The current CEO is Imad Al-Khazen,the Editor-in-Chief is Taheya Qandil, the finance and administrative director is Petro Milan and the programdirector is Chadi Maalouf.



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Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


11.3%

Private

National

Free Content

Société Moderne d'Information SAL




74 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureVDL 93.3 is owned by Société Moderne d'Information SAL. Its mainshareholders are three brothers, Imad, Ziad and Tarek Al-Khazen, sons of lateSimon Al-Khazen, who was the vice-president of the Phalange Party. Otherinvestors own shares in Société Moderne d'Information SAL. The sum of theshares (5,956) held by the different co-owners according to the Ministry ofJustice's Commercial Register does not add up to the total number of shares(20,000). The following numbers are based on the 5,956 total.


Individual OwnerKhazen Family 35.1%

Jamal Al Khatib 13.4%

Habib Lahoud 13.4%



75 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/khazen-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/jamal-al-khatib/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/habib-lahoud/




Société Moderne d'InformationSAL


Facts

General Information


1958

The Phalange Party, a Christian Democratic political party in Lebanon.

Imad Al-Khazen, son of Simon Al-Khazen, the founder of the Phalange Party.

Taheya Qandil

P.O. Box 19-170 DbayehPhone: + 961 (4) 545 352Beirut, LebanonVDL 93.3 Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact



76 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/societe-moderne-dinformation-sal/

http://vdl.com.lb/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Voix du Liban Dbayeh. Accessed on 10 October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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http://vdl.com.lb/program/frontend/web/index.php?r=site%2Fabout




Radio LibanRadio Liban operates under the supervision of the Ministry ofInformation and according to the media plan established by theGovernment.

Radio Liban was founded in 1938 under the presidency of EmileEddé. Initially called Radio al-Sharq (Radio Orient), it was located inthe Sérail building in Beirut, which formerly housed the PrimeMinister’s office and currently houses the Ministry of the Interior.Albert Adib (a Lebanese writer and poet born in 1908) became thefirst national director appointed to manage Radio Liban along withthe famous Lebanese poet Said Akl as Arabic broadcaster. In April1946, the Lebanese government took over the radio station fromthe French Mandate which used to broadcast in both Arabic and French. It became part of the Ministry of Newsand Tourism under a new name: Mahattat al-Itha’a al-Lubnaniya (Lebanese Radio Station). The GermanSiemens provided technical support to the radio station project, which included seven studios, a recordinglibrary, and a transmission station in Amshit, 45 km north of Beirut. With the beginning of the Lebanese war in1975, the radio station faced difficult circumstances as its transmission stations were damaged, interruptingcommunications between them and the headquarters in Beirut. After the Taif Agreement, Radio Libanprogressively recovered its broadcast with the help of foreign donors and in 2003 entered a partnership withRadio France International (RFI) when two studio were set up for the French programming available on 96.2 FM.

For the Arabic programming, the radio includes seven main studios with new equipment supplied and installedby the Swiss Studer company in 2007. It operates on 98.1 and 98.5 FM. Its radio recording library is consideredone of the richest in the Middle East. It contains thousands of programs, music and song recordings byLebanese, Arab, and foreign artists and singers who passed through during its golden age and recorded theirmusic in the studios.



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Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type

0.3%

Public

National

Free Content

Active Transparency company/channel informs proactively and comprehensivelyabout its ownership, data is constantly updated and easilyverifiable

Ownership

Ownership StructureRadio Liban is a directorate within the Lebanese Ministry of Information.


Individual OwnerLebanese State 100%

Facts

General Information

1938Founding Year



79 / 1471






Further Information

Mohammad Ibrahim (Director)

Rita Njeim Roumi (Programs Director)

Phone: +961 (1) 343 217Radio Liban Website

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Radio Liban. About. Accessed on 10 October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



80 / 1471

http://www.radioliban.gov.lb/

http://www.radioliban.gov.lb/ar/about-us




Voix du Liban 100.3In 2010, the Phalange Party bought – through a company calledSociété Nouvelle d’Information Audiovisuelle SAL – the rights to the100.3 and 100.5 FM radio frequencies, previously owned byNoujoum Lubnan (Stars of Lebanon), a Category 2 (i.e. non-political)station. Upon buying them, the Party declared that it wouldrelaunch VDL on these two new frequencies. On December 1, 2010,two different radio stations carrying the same name were beingbroadcast. In 2017, the Lebanese Court of Cassation ruled that theVoix du Liban logo, with the acronym VDL, is a distinctive nameworthy of protection and that its rights were to be granted solely tothe VDL 100.3-100.5 frequencies, banning the Dbayeh station fromusing this name. Three months later, however, the Court issued asecond ruling suspending the first ruling and thus reopening the case file. The legal dispute is ongoing. VDL100.3 broadcasts 20 hours a day and geographical coverage extends over Lebanese territories and neighboringcountries. The radio content is diverse, from news bulletins (including the 8.00 pm LBCI news bulletin) andpolitical, social, and economic, to medical awareness-raising, cultural, artistic, entertainment, and sportsprograms, among others. It is currently run by Assaad Maroun and the Editor in Chief is Charbel Maroun.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9%

Private

National

Free Content

Société Nouvelle d'Information Audiovisuelle SAL




81 / 1471



Société Nouvelle d'InformationAudiovisuelle SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureTen co-owners, including eight high-ranking officials of the Phalange Party,formally own the company on behalf of the actual party. Their names areChaker Aoun (former Vice-President), Joseph Khalil (head of the Bsharrichapter), Georges Jreij (former President of the Beirut bar association), SejaanKazzi (former Minister of Labor and former Vice-President of the party), SergeDagher (political bureau member), Salim Sayegh (Vice-President of the partyand former Minister of Social Affairs), Louis Hanna (member of the Beirut BarAssociation and party member), Omar Hamadeh (judge), and OmarIskandarani (lawyer).


Individual OwnerPhalange Party 100%




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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/phalange-party/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/societe-nouvelle-dinformation-audiovisuelle-sal/



Facts

General Information


Further Information

2010


Salim Sayegh

Charbel Maroun

Assaad MarounGeneral Manager

VDL 100.3 WebsitePhone: +961 (76) 611 005

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


القضاء أروقة في مستمر النزاع»... لبنان صوت «إذاعتا . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



83 / 1471

http://www.vdl.me/

https://al-akhbar.com/Media_Tv/235075



Lebanese Forces Online (2010). “ اليوم؟ االذاعة يملك من”… لبنان صوت “هنا”: النهار .

Accessed on 9 November 2018.

Lebanon Files (2010). بكل" لبنان صوت "االذاعية للمؤسسة الوحيد المالك و ?الحزب: الكتائبا?ومكونات ا?عناصر . Accessed on 10 November 2018.

Lebanese Ministry of Justice (2014). Commercial Register – لالعالم الجديدة الشركةل.م.ش والمسموع المرئي . Accessed on 10 November 2018.




84 / 1471

https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2010/04/12/81252/5

http://www.lebanonfiles.com/print.php?id=225062





Al JoumhouriaAl Joumhouria was founded in 1924 by journalist Saji’ Asmar andwitnessed many years of interruption. It was first shut down in 1975at the beginning of the civil war, and though it tried to resumepublishing in 1985, the war ultimately prevented that. There was asecond attempt to get it running in 2005 with then-Defense MinisterElias Murr Al-Joumhouria but it was suspended after theassassination attempt on Murr, who eventually launched it in 2011.The newspaper is located in same building as the headquarters ofElias Murr’s father, MP Michel Murr. Michel Murr is the grandfatherof former MP Nayla Tueni, the General Manager of Annaharnewspaper. Al-Joumhouria includes the following sections: local and international news, business, arts, science,health, fashion, culture, sports, and technology. It is also available on iPad format. Michel Elias Murr is theChairman of the Board, and Georges Soulage is the Editor-in-Chief.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9.6%

Private

National

Paid

Al Joumhouria News Corp SAL




85 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureThe Michel Elias Murr Family owns directly 72.3% and through companiesthey fully own, which are Group Murr SAL Holding (3.3%), Al Joumhouria NewsCorp Pan-Arab SAL Holding (20%) and Al Sharika Al Lubnania lil Idara walMoussahama SAL (3.3%).


Individual OwnerMichel Elias Murr Family 99%

Group / Individual OwnerEdouard Saadeh 1%


Facts



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/michel-elias-murr-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/al-joumhouria-news-corp-sal/



General Information


Further Information

Founded in 1924, Relaunched in 2011

Elias Murr, served as Lebanon Interior Minister (2000-2004); Defense Minister(2005-2011); Deputy Prime Minister (2005-2008; 2009-2011).

Michel Elias Murr, son of Elias Murr (see above).

Georges Soulage

Phone: +961 (4) 402 999Al Joumhouria Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


UCIP Liban (2011). الصحافية األسرة جديد" الجمهورية "جريدة : لبنان . Accessed on 11

October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



87 / 1471

http://www.aljoumhouria.com/

https://web.archive.org/web/20140116071038/http:/ucipliban.org/arabic/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25869&Itemid=221




Al Kalima OnlineAl Kalima Online is a global news website established in 2013 byjournalist Simon Abou Fadel. Al Kalima Online covers various socialsegments with different interests, thus offers diverse news sectionsincluding: Local news, International news, Economy, Sports,Entertainment, Technology, Exclusive news, Gossip, Health, Socialevents, Security and Judiciary.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type

88,702 unique browsers

Private

International

Free




88 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureAl Kalima Online is directly owned by Simon Abou Fadel.


Individual OwnerSimon Abou Fadel 100%

Facts

General Information


2013

Simon Abou Fadel

Simon Abou Fadel

Simon Abou Fadel

Phone: +961 (4) 416 073Al Kalima Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





89 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/simon-abou-fadel/


http://alkalimaonline.com/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share

The audience share is the average number of unique browsers in August andOctober 2018. The data was provided by Vertical Media.The data related to the daily number of readers came from the websiteadministration.

Al Kalima Online (2018). Facebook – About Page. Accessed on 10

November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



90 / 1471

https://www.facebook.com/pg/AlkalimaOnline/about/?ref=page_internal



OTVOTV is a publicly-traded TV founded in 2007 by Roy Hachem, theson-in-law of Lebanese President Michel Aoun and current chairmanof the station. OTV started broadcasting programs through twocompanies. The first one is Alubnaniah lil Ilam SAL which wasgranted a broadcasting license by the Lebanese Council of Ministersin June 2006 and gathered 15 shareholders at the beginning. It wasin charge of defining the TV station’s policy in terms of news andprograms. The second one is OTV Holding to handle finance andadvertising. At the time, Michel Aoun was MP and president of theFree Patriotic Movement. He suggested the possibility for allLebanese to subscribe in order to fund the station. Back then, oneshare used to cost 10 US dollars and each shareholder had theobligation to buy at least 10 shares, with the possibility to share them with others if he could not afford to pay100 US dollars. OTV began broadcasting via satellite on July 20, 2007.

OTV’s political position is that of the Free Patriotic Movement and the station broadcasts diverse cultural, socialand political shows. Its news director is Jad Abou Jaoudé.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


16.4%

Private

National

Free content

Alubnaniah lil Ilam SAL




91 / 1471




Ownership


Individual OwnerAoun Family 50%

Group / Individual OwnerJoseph El ZoghbyJoseph El Zoghby is also a member of the board of OTV Holding SAL (see OTVMedia profile).

10%

Assaad GeitaniAssaad Geitani is a Lebanese businessman, owning shares in OTV Holding SAL(see OTV Media profile).

10%




92 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/aoun-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/alubnaniah-lil-ilam-sal/




Facts

General Information


Further Information

2007

Roy Hachem, President Michel Aoun's son-in-law.

Roy Hachem

Jad Abou Jaoudé

Phone: +961 (1) 517050OTV Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



Headlines

Meta Data



93 / 1471

https://www.otv.com.lb/



OTV’s Official Website. Accessed on 28 September 2018.

Al-Akhbar (2006). البرتقالية .الشاشة النطالق العكسي العد بدأ Accessed on 28 September

2018.

TV audience shares

Sources

Documents



94 / 1471

https://www.otv.com.lb/legal-documents

https://al-akhbar.com/Culture_People/208055




Lebanon DebateLebanon Debate is a private news portal established by MichelKanbour on July 15, 2010. It offers breaking, local, internationalpolitical news, and miscellaneous news about tourism, technologyand interior design. The website is designed to produce its ownnews and deliver brief information gathered through monitoringother media outlets without any additional analysis. The Editor-in-Chief is Fadi Eid.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Private

International

Free




95 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureLebanon Debate is directly owned by Michel Kanbour.


Individual OwnerMichel Kanbour 100%

Facts

General Information


2010

Michel Kanbour

Michel Kanbour

Fadi Eid

Phone: +961 (1) 347773Lebanon Debate Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





96 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/michel-kanbour/


https://www.lebanondebate.com/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share

The audience share is the average number of unique browsers in August,September and October 2018. The data was provided by Vertical Media.

Al Sayad Interviews (2018). ميشال تخصصية قواعد على ديبات ليبانون االلكتروني موقعه اسسالصياد ل قنبور . Dar Al Sayad. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Lebanon Debate Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



97 / 1471

http://www.al-sayad.com/article.php?articleID=11854.




Al MustaqbalAl Mustaqbal newspaper was founded by late Lebanese PrimeMinister Rafik Hariri in June 1999. It supports the political views ofthe Future Movement, which is headed by current Lebanese PrimeMinister Saad Hariri. This newspaper suffered a financial crisis in2015, prompting the dismissal of employees and a delay in paymentof salaries. Hani Hammoud, the former General Manager of RadioOrient is the Editor-in-Chief and Chairman of the Board, and SaadAl-Alayli is the General Director.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


3%

Private

National

Paid

Arab United Press Corp SAL




98 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureArab United Press Corp is owned by the Hariri family (Saad, Nazek, Bahaa,Ayman, Hind, Fahd) 98%; the remaining 2% are owned by four politicaladvisors and business partners of Saad Hariri.



Group / Individual OwnerOthers 2%


Facts



99 / 1471



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/arab-united-press-corp-sal/



General Information


Further Information

1999

Rafik Hariri, former Prime Minister (1992-2008; 2000-2004), assassinated in2005.

Hani Hammoud, Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s political and media adviser andlate Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's media advisor.

Hani Hammoud

Saad Al-Alayli, General Manager.

Phone: +961 (1) 746 301Al Mustaqbal Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


للقوانين مخالف المستقبل صحيفة من موظفين صرف: العمل . Accessed on 11 October 2018.

Meta Data

Sources


This is an automatically generated PDF version of the online resource lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/ retrieved on 2022/01/14 at 01:41Reporters Without Borders (RSF) & Samir Kassir Foundation - all rights reserved, published under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives4.0 International License.

100 / 1471

http://www.almustaqbal.com/

https://www.eliktisad.com/news/show/252404/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84:-%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%81-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B8%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86



Newspapers audience sharesDocuments



101 / 1471




Radio Liban LibreRadio of the Lebanese Forces, Radio Liban Libre (RLL) was foundedin the summer of 1978 by a decision of Bachir Gemayel, the founderof the Lebanese Forces who was elected President of the LebaneseRepublic in 1982 but was assassinated before taking office. SejaanKazzi (who served as Labor Minister from 2013 to 2016) was theradio’s first director. RLL obtained its license in 1996, after playing apolitical and media-centered role during the civil war, voicing theviews of the Lebanese Forces. It is currently one of the LebaneseForces’ media outlets, and it is broadcast via shortwaves on: 102.3,102.5, and 102.7 FM, covering various areas of Lebanon and some areas of neighboring countries. It providesnews bulletins, as well as political, economic, social and sports programs, music and songs. It is currently run byAntoine Mrad.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9.7%

Private

National

Free Content

Liban Libre pour la Production et la Diffusion SAL




102 / 1471



Liban Libre pour la Production et laDiffusion SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureRLL presents itself as the official radio station of the Lebanese Forces politicalparty. Its license to broadcast is owned by Liban Libre pour la Production et laDiffusion SAL, which has 17 co-owners, including 11 officials of the LebaneseForces party, among them the late Makarios Salamé (10%, former CentralCommittee member of the party), Elie Khalil (10%, the channel's lawyer),Antoine Mrad (10%, advisor to the President of the Lebanese Forces), TonySleiman (10%, RLL Programs Director), and Antoine Khoueir (10%).


Individual OwnerLebanese Forces 100%


Facts



103 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/lebanese-forces/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/liban-libre-pour-la-production-et-la-diffusion-sal/




General Information


Further Information

1978

The Lebanese Forces, a Lebanese Christian political party and former militia.

Edgar Majdalani

Elie Harb

P.O. Box 110 Zouk MikaelPhone: +961 (9) 225 577| | www.rll.com.lb | RLL Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


RLL Live Streaming. Accessed on 10 October 2018.

Radio Liban Libre Online. نحن من . Accessed on 8 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



104 / 1471

http://http//www.rll.com.lb/

http://www.rll.com.lb/


http://www.rll.com.lb/about/






105 / 1471




Al-JadeedAl-Jadeed (formerly New TV) was founded by the LebaneseCommunist Party in 1992 and forcibly shut down in 1997 when it didnot get the required license as it did not support the pro-Syrianregime Lebanese authorities. The station was reopened in 2001 byTahseen Khayat (a Lebanese businessman, owner of TahseenGroup, a company working in different sectors such as publishing,printing, distribution, media, power generation andpharmaceuticals). In early 2007, New TV changed its name to Al-Jadeed. Al-Jadeed's editorial line is critical of the Future Movementand the March 14 alliance.

Its current chairman is Tahseen Khayat and its news director isMariam Al-Bassam.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


35.6%

Private

National

Free content

Al Jadeed SAL




106 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureAl-Jadeed is mainly owned by businessman Tahseen Khayat and his family,including his daughters Bouchra, Ghida, Nadia and Karma, and his son Karim(for a total of 58.13%). Other shareholders are businessmen Safa Al-Khoury(10%), and Abdallah Zakhem, Marwan Kalo and Nizar Younes (6.68% each).


Individual OwnerKhayat Family 58.1%

Safa Al Khoury 10%

Abdallah Zakhem 6.7%

Marwan Kalo 6.7%

Nizar Younes 6.7%



107 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/khayat-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/safa-al-khoury/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/abdallah-zakhem/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/marwan-kalo/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/nizar-younes/




Al Jadeed SAL


Facts

General Information


1992

Lebanese Communist Party

Tahseen Khayat

Mariam Al-Bassam (News Director)

Phone: +961 (1) 303300Al-Jadeed Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




108 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/al-jadeed-sal/


http://www.aljadeed.tv/arabic



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share


The information regarding the Syrian interference and the date to get therequired license is based on an interview with the person responsible for Al-Jadeed’s archive.

Al-Jadeed registered the highest level of viewership in Lebanon according tothe info on their website.


Al-Jadeed’s Official Website. Accessed on 7 August 2018.

Presidency of the Council of Ministers Website (2014). 2014آب7جلسة .

Accessed on 7 August 2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



109 / 1471

http://www.aljadeed.tv/arabic/about-us/aljadeed-history

http://www.pcm.gov.lb/arabic/subpg.aspx?pageid=5813




Ya SourYa Sour was launched in 2005 and covers Southern Lebanon. It alsooffers news about the Lebanese from southern Lebanon livingabroad. The website relies on its network of correspondents tocover Southern Lebanon and on news agencies to cover the rest ofthe country. In 2013, Ya Sour launched its own sports websitewww.yasoursport.org covering both local and international sports.Its CEO is Haitham Shaaban and its General Director is AbirMahfouz. Ya Sour belongs to Ya Sour Media and Social Group, whichalso offers radio coverage in Southern Lebanon and live internet radio broadcasts for international users. Dailynumber of readers is between 120 and 150 thousand.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type

Missing Data

Private

International

Free




110 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureThe legal form is an association (Law of 1909), therefore it is not a company.


Individual OwnerYa Sour Media and Social Group 100%

Facts

General Information


2005

Missing Data

Haitham Shaaban

Abir Mahfouz

Phone: +961 (7) 350506Ya Sour Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




111 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/ya-sour-media-and-social-group/


http://www.yasour.org/2018/ar/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share

No data on audience or unique browsers were available. Ya Sour was addedto the media selection at the recommendation of the advisory group.The Data related to the daily percentage of reader came from the websiteadministration.

Ya Sour Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



112 / 1471

http://www.yasour.org/2016/index.php



Al-AkhbarEstablished by journalist Joseph Samaha (1949-2007), Al-Akhbar firstissue was published on August 14, 2006 by the media companyAkhbar Beirut, after acquiring the license for a newspaper alsonamed Al-Akhbar that was founded in 1953. A pro-Hezbollah andpro-Syrian regime daily, it generally opposes Saudi Arabia, theUnited States, the Future Movement, and the March 14 Alliance. ItsEditor-in-Chief is Ibrahim al-Amine, also the founder and Chairman of Akhbar Beirut.

In December 2010, Al-Akhbar received and published an advanced copy of the US State Department cables byWikiLeaks, after which the newspaper’s website was hacked and then shut down briefly. In 2011, thenewspaper launched the English-language website Al-Akhbar English, which was closed in March 2015 due tolack of funds.

On May 14, 2014, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague initiated the trial of Al-Akhbar and Ibrahim al-Amine on charges of contempt of the court and obstruction of justice after it published two articles pretendingto reveal confidential information on protected witnesses. In August 2016, the Special Tribunal issued its verdictand ruled that al-Amine be fined 20,000 Euros (eventually paid in October 2018) and that Akhbar Beirut befined 6,000 Euros.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


7.8%

Private

National

Paid

Akhbar Beirut SAL




113 / 1471



Akhbar Beirut SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureIbrahim Al-Amine owns 36.4% of Akhbar Beirut SAL directly and 7.4% through

his ownership of 59.7% of Akhbar Beirut Holding. Youssef Wehbi owns a totalof 34.8%; 29.9% directly and 5% through his ownership of 40% of AkhbarBeirut Holding. The Sun Press SAL owns 18.8 % of the shares of the AkhbarBeirut SAL. It is owned by MP Moustafa El Husseini (66.6%), and his son Firas(16.6%), and daughter Dima (16.6%).


Individual OwnerIbrahim Al Amine 43.8%

Youssef Wehbi 34.8%

Moustafa El Husseini 18.8%




114 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/ibrahim-al-amine/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/youssef-wehbi/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/moustafa-el-husseini/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/akhbar-beirut-sal/




Facts

General Information


Further Information

License established in 1953. Relaunched in 2006

Missing Data

Ibrahim Al-Amine

Ibrahim Al-Amine

Pierre Abi Saab, Deputy Editor-in-Chief

P.O. Box 113-5963Phone: +961 (1) 759 597Al Akhbar Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



115 / 1471




Akhbar Beirut S.A.L. Guilty of Contempt, STL Found: One Small Verdict for

a Tribunal, a Giant Leap for International Justice? Accessed on 10 October

2018.

About the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Accessed on 10 October 2018.


؟”ليكس اإلمارات “حقيقة ما.. اللبنانية األخبار نشرتها . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

االنتخابات ونتائج الرئاسية التسوية تجديد ترفض السعودية . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

القطرية الوقاحة . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

ًاأيض جديدة نسخة.. الحريري ! Accessed on 10 October 2018.

السعودية؟ وأزمة الحريري أزمة بين . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

Al-Akhbar pulls plug on English site. Accessed on 10 October 2018.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2010/Dec-10/60643-al-

akhbar-newspaper-shuts-down-website-following-hack-attack.ashx

axzz392OCTufuAl-Akhbar newspaper shuts down website following hack attack. Accessed on10 October 2018.

العار ّوابن . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

العرقلة بل االنتقاد ليست التهمة»: األخبار«و» الجديد «محاكمة من األول اليوم . Accessed on 10

October 2018.

Future TV (2016). بتغريمهما وتحكم واالخبار االمين ابراهيم تدين الدولية المحكمة . Accessed on

10 October 2018.

بلبنا الخاصة بالمحكمة تعريف . Accessed on 10 October 2018.


Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



116 / 1471

http://opiniojuris.org/2016/08/04/akhbar-beirut-s-a-l-guilty-of-contempt-stl-found-one-small-verdict-for-a-tribunal-a-giant-leap-for-international-justice/

https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/about-the-stl

https://www.eremnews.com/news/arab-world/gcc/1290585

https://al-akhbar.com/Politics/255186




http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Mar-06/289891-al-akhbar-pulls-plug-on-english-site.ashx

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2010/Dec-10/60643-al-akhbar-newspaper-shuts-down-website-following-hack-attack.ashx



http://futuretvnetwork.com/%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%ad%d9%83%d9%85%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%d9%88%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%af%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%87%d9%8a%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%85%d9%8a%d9%86-%d9%88/

https://www.stl-tsl.org/ar/about-the-stl




Lebanese-Forces.comLebanese-Forces.com is the mouthpiece of the Lebanese Forces (LF)political party. It provides instant and daily news and coversinternational and national news with an overt slant in favor of theLF. The website also covers the daily activity of the party. Its Editor-in-Chief is George Al-Akoury (writer and journalist, and also theMedia Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of HealthGhassan Hasbani from the LF) and its general manager is Fares Trad(Member of the Central Council of the LF).

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Private

International

Free




117 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureLebanese-Forces.com is the official website of the Lebanese Forces politicalparty. It is not registered as a separate legal entity.



Facts

General Information


1999

Lebanese Forces

Fares Trad

George Akoury

Phone: +961 (1) 9212989Lebanese Forces Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





118 / 1471



https://www.lebanese-forces.com/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share

While the founding year is not mentioned in the publicly available data of thewebsite, the creation date of the domain name is January 30, 1999 accordingto the registration database https://whois.net/.The audience share is the average number of unique browsers in August,September and October 2018. The data was provided by Vertical Media.

Open Society Foundation (2012). Mapping digital media: Lebanon.


Lebanese Forces Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



119 / 1471

https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/mapping-digital-media-lebanon-20120506.pdf




Future TVFuture TV was founded by former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri andreceived its broadcast licence on March 21, 1997. The TV stationused to own Zein TV, a channel launched in 2001 and targeting ayoung adult audience. It aired a wide variety of entertainmentprograms for youth aged 15-35, addressing Internet, fashion andmusic, in addition to newscast. Zein TV was shut down on February14, 2005, upon Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination. OnDecember 9, 2007, Future TV launched the Future News channel,using the premises of Zein TV. Four years later, Future News wasshut down and merged with the main Future TV channel due to thestation's financial crisis; a large number of positions at bothchannels were subsequently eliminated.

On May 7, 2008, conflict between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement supporters and Future Movementsupporters erupted in Beirut and other Mount Lebanon areas. It is considered the most dangerous and violentconflict since the end of the Lebanese civil war. Pro-Hezbollah protesters stormed the Future TV headquartersin Beirut and the channel was forced to stop broadcast for several days.

Future TV’s political position is that of the Future movement led by Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Newscasts arebroadcast in Arabic but news briefs are also aired in English, French and Armenian. Future TV’s GeneralManager is Ramzi Jbeily and its news director is Nadim Koteich.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


12.6%

Private

National

Free content

Future Television SAL




120 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureFuture Television SAL has more than 70 shareholders. The Hariri familycontrols directly 59.14% of the shares, divided among Prime Minister SaadHariri, his brothers Ayman, Bahaa, Fahd, his aunt MP Bahia Hariri, hisstepmother Nazek Hariri, and his cousin Walid Hariri. Close allies of the Haririfamily, i.e. Saad Hariri's advisor Hani Hammoud own 10%, as well as theChammaa family, involved in several other ventures with the Hariri family,which owns 10%. Other minor shareholders include business partners suchas Bechara Nammour, Hariri advisors Salim Diab and Nadim Munla, a numberof bankers inlcuding Francois Bassil and Farid Raphael, as well assharelholders linked to a number of Lebanese politicians, including MP AnwarAl-Khalil, former Deputy Prime Minister Samir Mokbel, Future Movement MPand Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk, and former Minister Youssef Takla.



Hani Hammoud 10%

Ghaleb Chammaa 10%

Group / Individual OwnerOthersOther minor shareholders include business partners such as BecharaNammour (0.02%), Hariri advisors Salim Diab (0.04%), Nadim Munla (0.04%), anumber of bankers including Samir Hammoud (5.17%), Francois Bassil (0.08%)and Farid Raphael (1%), as well as sharelholders linked to a number ofLebanese politicians, including MP Anwar Al-Khalil (0.08%), former DeputyPrime Minister Samir Mokbel (0.4%), and former Minister Youssef Takla.

20.9%



121 / 1471



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/hani-hammoud/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/ghaleb-chammaa/






Facts

General Information

1997

Rafik Hariri, Prime Minister (1992-2008; 2000-2004), assassinated on 14February 2005.

Hani Hammoud

Nadim Koteich (News Director)

Ramzi JbeilyGeneral Manager of the TV station and an official signatory.

Nohad MachnoukFuture Movement MP and Interior Minister and owns a symbolic share of0.004%.

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief




122 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/future-television-sal/




Further Information

White House buildingSpears streetSanayeh sectorBeirut P.O.Box 13-6052LebanonPhone: + 961 (1) 370700Future TV Website

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



Al-Jazeera (2008). بمقره يحيط اللبناني والجيش بثه يوقف المستقبل تلفزيون . Accessed on 28

September 2018.

Asharq al-Awsat (2001). الشباب بفرح دبي من انطلقت المستقبل قناة. زين . Accessed on 28

September 2018.

Inbaa (2013). ومقاربة مقارنة.. اللبنانية التلفزة محطات . Accessed on 28 September

2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



123 / 1471

http://futuretvnetwork.com/

http://www.aljazeera.net/home/print/f6451603-4dff-4ca1-9c10-122741d17432/586fef0b-a102-4740-8cd1-21abe63446c9

https://bit.ly/2zjTtIR

http://www.inbaa.com/




Voix du Liban 100.3In 2010, the Phalange Party bought – through a company calledSociété Nouvelle d’Information Audiovisuelle SAL – the rights to the100.3 and 100.5 FM radio frequencies, previously owned byNoujoum Lubnan (Stars of Lebanon), a Category 2 (i.e. non-political)station. Upon buying them, the Party declared that it wouldrelaunch VDL on these two new frequencies. On December 1, 2010,two different radio stations carrying the same name were beingbroadcast. In 2017, the Lebanese Court of Cassation ruled that theVoix du Liban logo, with the acronym VDL, is a distinctive nameworthy of protection and that its rights were to be granted solely tothe VDL 100.3-100.5 frequencies, banning the Dbayeh station fromusing this name. Three months later, however, the Court issued asecond ruling suspending the first ruling and thus reopening the case file. The legal dispute is ongoing. VDL100.3 broadcasts 20 hours a day and geographical coverage extends over Lebanese territories and neighboringcountries. The radio content is diverse, from news bulletins (including the 8.00 pm LBCI news bulletin) andpolitical, social, and economic, to medical awareness-raising, cultural, artistic, entertainment, and sportsprograms, among others. It is currently run by Assaad Maroun and the Editor in Chief is Charbel Maroun.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9%

Private

National

Free Content

Société Nouvelle d'Information Audiovisuelle SAL




124 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureTen co-owners, including eight high-ranking officials of the Phalange Party,formally own the company on behalf of the actual party. Their names areChaker Aoun (former Vice-President), Joseph Khalil (head of the Bsharrichapter), Georges Jreij (former President of the Beirut bar association), SejaanKazzi (former Minister of Labor and former Vice-President of the party), SergeDagher (political bureau member), Salim Sayegh (Vice-President of the partyand former Minister of Social Affairs), Louis Hanna (member of the Beirut BarAssociation and party member), Omar Hamadeh (judge), and OmarIskandarani (lawyer).






125 / 1471






Facts

General Information


Further Information

2010


Salim Sayegh

Charbel Maroun

Assaad MarounGeneral Manager

VDL 100.3 WebsitePhone: +961 (76) 611 005

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


القضاء أروقة في مستمر النزاع»... لبنان صوت «إذاعتا . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



126 / 1471

http://www.vdl.me/

https://al-akhbar.com/Media_Tv/235075



Lebanese Forces Online (2010). “ اليوم؟ االذاعة يملك من”… لبنان صوت “هنا”: النهار .


Lebanon Files (2010). بكل" لبنان صوت "االذاعية للمؤسسة الوحيد المالك و ?الحزب: الكتائبا?ومكونات ا?عناصر . Accessed on 10 November 2018.

Lebanese Ministry of Justice (2014). Commercial Register – لالعالم الجديدة الشركةل.م.ش والمسموع المرئي . Accessed on 10 November 2018.




127 / 1471

https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2010/04/12/81252/5

http://www.lebanonfiles.com/print.php?id=225062





Télé Lumière and NoursatThe "Television of Light" (Télé Lumière) was founded in 1991 by agroup of people: the late Charles Helou, former President ofLebanon, the late Georges Frem (ex MP and minister), JacquesKallassi, Georges Moawad, Rola and Sana Nassar, Dr. Antoine Saad,Christiane Debbaneh and Brother Nour. The Church has beensupporting the Télé Lumière project ever since its implementation.The TV station is supervised by the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchsand Bishops in Lebanon and directed by a committee involvingreligious leaders from various denominations. The relationshipbetween the Church and Télé Lumière is organized through a"cooperation protocol." As for the government, it considers Télé Lumière, through the Assembly of CatholicPatriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, a Christian station that is financially independent, having freedom ofmanagement and programming and controlled only by the authority of the Church. In June 2003, on Pentecost,Télé Lumière celebrated its 12th anniversary as well as the launching of its satellite station Noursat coveringthe Middle East, Europe and North Africa. On September 8, 2004, Noursat began broadcasting in North andSouth America, Canada and Australia. The TV station refuses to broadcast political news. Télé Lumière’sExecutive Director is Jacques Kallassy and its programming director is Marie-Thérèse Kreidi. It includes severalchannels: Nour al-Shabab that targets youth and addresses their problems and concerns; Nour al-Sharq, whichis the special satellite for Oriental Churches’ affairs. Its programs are distributed equally among all churchesregarding the broadcasting content; Nour al-Koddass that broadcasts round-the-clock masses; Nour Music thatbroadcasts religious and classical melodies; Mariam (Mary) channel, which includes cultural and educationalshows; and Nour al-Rouh that broadcasts religious shows.



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Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


0%

Private

National

Free content

Télé-Lumière SALNoursat SAL




129 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureTélé Lumière is co-owned by several Lebanese Christian religiousdenominations, dioceses and monastic orders, in addition to a number ofbusinesspeople. Most of these businesspeople are also shareholders of thesister company Noursat, which broadcasts on satellite. Télé Lumière has atotal of 1000 shares. Noursat has a total of 5000 shares; therefore 6000shares combined. Percentage of ownership is then calculated after combiningboth companies, on the basis of 6000 shares.


Individual OwnerFrem Family 27.5%

Nassar Family 29.2%

Gebran Tohmé 1.4%

Kallassi Family 28.5%



130 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/frem-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/nassar-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/gebran-tohme/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/kallassi-family/




Télé-Lumière SAL Noursat SAL


Facts

General Information


1991

Charles Helou, Georges Frem, Jacques Kallassi, Georges Moawad, Rola andSana Nassar, Antoine Saad, Christiane Debbaneh, and Brother Nour

Jacques Kallassi

Marie-Thérèse Kreidi (Programs Director)

Phone: +961 (1) 255001Noursat Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




131 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/tele-lumiere-sal/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/noursat-sal/

http://noursat.tv/ar/index.php



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share



Noursat’s Official Website. Accessed on 28 September 2018.

L’Orient-Le Jour (2016). Edition 1 March 2016. Accessed on 10 November

2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



132 / 1471

https://noursat.tv/ar/about-us.php

https://www.lorientlejour.com/storage/pdfs/2016/6287_file1.pdf




Voix du Liban 93.3Voix du Liban (VDL) was the first private radio station in Lebanon.Owned by the Phalange (Kataeb) Party, it attempted to startbroadcasting in 1958 but its activity was suspended by its foundersafter the end of a three-month civil conflict that year. It resumedbroadcast in 1975 as the first private, commercial, partisan radiostation in the country. In the mid-1990s, the Audiovisual Media Lawwas put into effect to regulate broadcasting in Lebanon anddistribute licenses. Pursuant to this law, the Société Moderned’Information SAL obtained the license to operate VDL, broadcasting on 93.3 FM, granted by the Council ofMinisters. However, the issue of ownership became the subject of a legal controversy between the PhalangeParty, the initial owner in 1975, and the Société Moderne d’Information, represented by the heirs of the lateSimon al-Khazen – the former vice-president of the Phalange Party – who have been running the radio stationsince the 1990s, leading to a split between two radio stations carrying the same name.

When the split happen in 2010, the Société Moderne d’Information-owned VDL moved from Beirut to Dbayeh,north of Beirut, and has been broadcasting on the following FM wavelengths: 93.3 in Beirut, 93.5 in northernLebanon, and 93.1 in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa, Batroun, and Akkar. It has media partnership agreementswith a number of major stations, such as Radio Middle East in Canada which relays VDL 93.3 news. VDL 93.3also retransmits news and radio programs from BBC Arabic, Germany’s Arabic Deutsche Welle channel, theRussian Sputnik Arabic radio, and the Lebanese MTV channel. It provides news bulletins, as well as political,economic and social programs, interviews, music, songs, culture and arts. The current CEO is Imad Al-Khazen,the Editor-in-Chief is Taheya Qandil, the finance and administrative director is Petro Milan and the programdirector is Chadi Maalouf.



133 / 1471



Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


11.3%

Private

National

Free Content

Société Moderne d'Information SAL




134 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureVDL 93.3 is owned by Société Moderne d'Information SAL. Its mainshareholders are three brothers, Imad, Ziad and Tarek Al-Khazen, sons of lateSimon Al-Khazen, who was the vice-president of the Phalange Party. Otherinvestors own shares in Société Moderne d'Information SAL. The sum of theshares (5,956) held by the different co-owners according to the Ministry ofJustice's Commercial Register does not add up to the total number of shares(20,000). The following numbers are based on the 5,956 total.




Habib Lahoud 13.4%



135 / 1471











Facts

General Information


1958


Imad Al-Khazen, son of Simon Al-Khazen, the founder of the Phalange Party.

Taheya Qandil

P.O. Box 19-170 DbayehPhone: + 961 (4) 545 352Beirut, LebanonVDL 93.3 Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact



136 / 1471


http://vdl.com.lb/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Voix du Liban Dbayeh. Accessed on 10 October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



137 / 1471

http://vdl.com.lb/program/frontend/web/index.php?r=site%2Fabout




Al-BinaaFounded in 1958, Al-Binaa is an Arabic-language daily newspaperpublished in Beirut by Al-Sharika Al-Qawmiya lil-I'lam. It is alignedwith the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, a secular nationalist politicalparty calling for Greater Syria and supporting the Syrian regime. ItsEditor-in-Chief is former Beirut MP Nasser Qandil, who also servedfrom 1995 to 2000 as President of the National Audiovisual MediaCouncil.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


0.3%

Private

National

Paid

Al-Sharika Al-Qawmiya lil-I'lam SARL




138 / 1471



Al-Sharika Al-Qawmiya lil-I'lamSARL

Ownership

Ownership StructureThree officials of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) formally own thecompany on behalf of the actual party.


Individual OwnerSyrian Social Nationalist Party 100%


Facts

General Information



139 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/syrian-social-nationalist-party/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/al-sharika-al-qawmiya-lil-ilam-sarl/




Further Information

1958

SSNP

Wael Al-Hassanieh (General Manager), Vice-President of the SSNP.

Nasser Qandil, former Member of Parliament (2000-2005).

Phone: +961 (1) 748 920Al Binaa Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Greater Syria includes Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Jordan, and Palestine.Audience share for newspapers is based on IPSOS data (average readership2016 and 2017).

Official Website Al Binaa.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



140 / 1471

https://www.al-binaa.com/





Lebanon 24Lebanon 24 was first launched in 2015. It belongs to InvestcomHolding, owned by former Prime Minister's Mikati's family. Thewebsite covers local and international politics, finance, and sports.Articles on Lebanon 24 website are a mix of curated and in-housecontent. Its General Manager is Rabih Saadeh.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type



Private

International

Free

Lubnan 24 SAL




141 / 1471



Lubnan 24 SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureLubnan 24 SAL is owned by the Mikati Family through their ownership of99.9% of Investcom Holding SAL.


Individual OwnerMikati Family 99.9%


Facts

General Information

2012Founding Year



142 / 1471



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/lubnan-24-sal/




Further Information

Missing Data

Rabih Saadeh (General Manager)

André Kassas and Ahmad Zoabi

Phone: +961 (1) 317773Lebanon 24 Website

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


KnowledgeView (2015). Lebanon24 Launches Round the Clock News

Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



143 / 1471

https://www.lebanon24.com/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lebanon24-launches-round-the-clock-news-website-502725231.html



AddiyarAddiyar was first published in 1941 as an Arab daily politicalnewspaper. In 1988, it was taken over by journalist Charles Ayoub,but was temporarily shut down in January 1990 by then-PrimeMinister Michel Aoun because of Ayoub’s political alignments. Itresumed publishing after three days. The paper is known to be pro-Syrian regime. Ayoub himself confirmed receiving funding from theSyrian regime. Charles Ayoub is the Chairman of the Board. FadiShami and Emile Hayek are both Editors-in-Chief.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


6.6%

Private

National

Paid

Al-Nahda SAL




144 / 1471



Al-Nahda SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureAddiyar is published by Al-Nahda SAL, which is almost fully owned by CharlesAyoub (98.6%). 1.4% of the shares of Al-Nahda SAL are held by KingdomHolding SAL, which is owned by the Solh Family (Al Waleed Bin Talal's aunts,Leila Solh (former Lebanese Minister of Industry), his mother Mona Solh, andhis cousin Walid Solh. However, Kindgom Holding SAL is the Lebanese branchof the Saudi conglomerate Kingdom Holding, which is owned 95% by Prince AlWaleed Bin Talal.


Individual OwnerCharles Ayoub 98.6%

Al Waleed Bin Talal 1.4%




145 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/charles-ayoub/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/al-waleed-bin-talal/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/al-nahda-sal/



Facts

General Information


Further Information


Charles Ayoub

Charles Ayoub

Fadi Shami and Emile Hayek

Phone: +961 (5) 923 830Addiyar Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

The MOM team tried to obtain information from the newspaper’s archivesand administration for the period between 1941 and 1988, but it wasinformed that the only information available is that which falls under Ayoub’sadministration.Audience share for newspapers is based on IPSOS data (average readership2016 and 2017).

Meta Data



146 / 1471

https://www.addiyar.com/



NYTimes (1990). A Second Newspaper Is Shut by Lebanese General.

Accessed 11 October 2018.

MEMRI (2006). Lebanon Faces Political Crisis in Aftermath of War: Tensions

Escalate Between ‘March 14 Forces’ and Hizbullah, Pro-Syrian Camp.


Zaman Al Wsl (2013). تحتقرني وال اقتلني: األسد بشار إلى أيوب شارل من ثانية رسالة . Accessed

11 October 2018.


Sources

Documents



147 / 1471

https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/19/world/a-second-newspaper-is-shut-by-lebanese-general.html

https://www.memri.org/reports/lebanon-faces-political-crisis-aftermath-war-tensions-escalate-between-%E2%80%98march-14-forces%E2%80%99-and

https://www.zamanalwsl.net/news/article/39804%20%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9%20%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9%20%D9%85%D9%86%20%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%84%20%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A8%20%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89%20%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3




JanoubiaJanoubia was established in 2007 by Ali Al-Amine, who is the Editor-in-Chief of the website. It covers national and international news. In2014 they launched Janoubia English and are associated to aquarterly magazine called Sho'un Janoubia and to an NGO bothestablished in 2002. In addition to the website and magazine, theytrain journalists and hold conferences on several topics related tomedia, the economy and politics.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Private

International

Free




148 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureJanoubia is directly owned by Ali Al-Amine. It is affiliated with the NGO Sho'unJanoubia.


Individual OwnerAli Al Amine 100%

Facts

General Information


2007

Ali Al-Amine

Ali Al-Amine

Ali Al-Amine

Phone: +961 (7) 6037181Janoubia Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





149 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/ali-al-amine/


http://janoubia.com/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share

The audience share is the average number of unique browsers in August andOctober 2018. The data was provided by Vertical Media.

Janoubia Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Interview with the administration office of the website on 16 October 2018

Meta Data

Sources



150 / 1471




Sawt El ShaabSawt El Shaab was founded by the Lebanese Communist Party in1987 as a partisan, commercial radio in Lebanon. It obtained itslicense in 1996, and broadcasts from Beirut news and politicalprograms as well as diverse local artistic programs. It is aired on thefollowing FM frequencies: 103.7 (Beirut) and 104.0 (Tripoli). It iscurrently run by Semaan Bou Moussa.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


3.7%

Private

National

Free Content

Al-Sharika Al-Alamiya lil Bath (Shaab) SAL




151 / 1471



Al-Sharika Al-Alamiya lil Bath(Shaab) SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureSawt El Shaab is the official radio of the Lebanese Communist Party. The legalstructure of this company is a one-person trader (تاجر). Journalist and partymember Tanios Deaibes, who is not the owner but the person in charge withregards to official contacts with the public administration. The license tobroadcast is owned by Al-Sharika Al-Alamiya lil Bath (Shaab) SAL, which is co-owned by several Communist and leftist political, social and cultural figures inLebanon.


Individual OwnerLebanese Communist Party 100%


Facts



152 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/lebanese-communist-party/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/al-sharika-al-alamiya-lil-bath-shaab-sal/




General Information


Further Information

1987

The Lebanese Communist Party

Nabil Fawaz

General ManagerSemaan Bou Moussa

Phone: +961 (1) 311 809Sawt El Shaab Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Sawt Achaab. About. Accessed on 10 October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



153 / 1471

http://sawtachaab.com/web/index.php/site/index

https://sawtachaab.com/web/index.php/site/page?view=about




Tayyar.orgEstablished in 2001 to promote the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM)and the agenda of its leader and current President of LebanonGeneral Michel Aoun, Tayyar.org offers breaking, local andinternational political news, in addition to cultural and social news.Most of the international news are taken from an external source.Local news covers mostly the agenda of the Free PatrioticMovement and President Aoun. A special section on the website isdedicated to the FPM's activity.

The website is amongst the top visited news websites in Lebanon(20% of the visitors) according to the Nielsen survey.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Private

International

Free




154 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureTayyar.org is the official website of the Free Patriotic Movement. It is notregistered as a separate legal entity.


Individual OwnerFree Patriotic Movement 100%

Facts

General Information


2001

Free Patriotic Movement

Missing Data

Patrick Bassil

Phone: +961 (1) 499010Tayyar.org Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





155 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/free-patriotic-movement/


https://www.tayyar.org/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share




Dubai Press Club. ARAB MEDIA OUTLOOK(2009-2013). Accessed on 22

November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



156 / 1471


https://fas.org/irp/eprint/arabmedia.pdf



El SharkFounded in 1926, El Shark is one of the oldest newspapers inLebanon and is considered to be supportive of the March 14Alliance and the Future Movement. Awni Al-Kaaki, a Lebanesejournalist who has been the head of the Lebanese Press Order since2015, is the Chairman of the Board, and Khalil Khoury is the Editor-in-Chief.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type

1%

Private

National

Paid




157 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureThe legal form of ownership is 'Individually Owned Company'.


Group / Individual OwnerO -14272Awni Al-Kaaki also owns Nadine, a weekly social and gossip magazine.

100%

Facts

General Information


1926

Missing Data

Awni Al-Kaaki, President of the Lebanese Press Order since 2015.

Khalil Khoury

Phone: +961 (1) 810 820El Shark Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




158 / 1471

https://www.elsharkonline.com/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share


Official Website El Shark.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



159 / 1471

https://www.elsharkonline.com




Bint JbeilEstablished in 2003, Bint Jbeil is one of the most popular websitesbased on its number of followers on social media (5,1 million fanson Facebook). Besides covering news about the Bint Jbeil region inSouth Lebanon, the website offers local and international news. BintJbeil delivers short political, social and cultural news. Its CEO andEditor-in-Chief is Hassan Beydoun. It relies mostly on news agenciesfor its content.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type

Missing data

Private

International

Free




160 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureBint Jbeil is directly owned by Hassan Beydoun.


Individual OwnerHassan Beydoun 100%

Facts

General Information


2003

Hassan Beydoun

Hassan Beydoun

Hassan Beydoun

Phone: +961 (7) 452 111Bint Jbeil Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





161 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/hassan-beydoun/


https://bintjbeil.org/index.php



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share

The audience share is the average number of unique browsers in October2018. The data was provided by Vertical Media.

Bint Jbeil Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



162 / 1471

https://bintjbeil.org/index.php



El-NashraEl Nashra is a self-proclaimed independent news site. Its contentnevertheless tends to sympathize with the perspectives of theMarch 8 Alliance and the Free Patrotic Movement of currentPresident of Lebanon Michel Aoun. El Nashra offers Lebanese andinternational instant and daily news, covering politics, technology,business, and other topics. It also provides live internet radiobroadcasts and clippings from local newspapers. Its CEO is Arz ElMurr (Engineer and CEO of "Desktop Equipment & Solution" and“Elbareed" and El Nashra group), and the Editor-in-Chief is journalistJoseph Semaan.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

Private

International

Free

ElNashra.com SARL




163 / 1471



ElNashra.com SARL

Ownership

Ownership StructureElNashra.com SARL is owned by four people (each owning 25%): Arz El Murr,

his wife Magda, and their children Malek and Aya.


Individual OwnerArz El Murr Family 100%


Facts

General Information

2001Founding Year



164 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/arz-el-murr-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/elnashracom-sarl/




Further Information

Arz El Murr

Arz El Murr

Joseph Semaan

Phone: +961 (1) 290700El-Nashra Website

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

No data on audience or unique browsers were available. El Nashra was addedto the media selection at the recommendation of the advisory group.



Meta Data

Sources



165 / 1471

https://www.elnashra.com/




Lebanon FilesLebanon Files was established in 2006 by Rabih Haber, who is stillthe Editor-in-Chief and the CEO of the website, affiliated with themarket research company Statistics Lebanon(https://www.statisticslebanonltd.com/) . Lebanon Files coversbreaking news, local and international political news, sports andculture. The news portal is conceived to deliver analysis andeditorials and doesn’t only rely on monitoring news from otherplatforms.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type



Private

International

Free

Statistics Lebanon SARL




166 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureLebanon Files is affiliated to Statistics Lebanon SARL, which is 98% owned byRabih Haber.


Individual OwnerRabih Haber 98%


Facts

General Information

2006Founding Year



167 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/rabih-haber/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/statistics-lebanon-sarl/





Further Information

Rabih Haber

Rabih Haber

Rabih Haber

Phone: +961 (1) 692045Lebanon Files Website

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

The data of the Nielsen survey dates back to 2009 and is based 400respondents who were asked to name one news website that they visit mostoften.The audience share is the average number of unique browsers in August,September and October 2018. The data was provided by Vertical Media.

Lebanon Files Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



168 / 1471

http://www.lebanonfiles.com/




Télé LibanIn October 1954, two Lebanese businessmen, Wissam Ezzeddineand Alex Moufarrej, submitted a request to create a TV station. InAugust 1956, the Lebanese government granted them a televisioncompany license under the name Compagnie libanaise de télévision(CLT) for a period of 15 years. In the spring of 1957, LebanesePresident Camille Chamoun and Prime Minister Sami Solh laid downthe foundations for the first TV station building in the Middle East,on a sandy hill in Beirut called Tallet El-Khayat. On May 28, 1959, thestation was officially launched by General Sleiman Nawfal, CLT’s firstGeneral Manager. It aired programs in two languages, operating twoVHF channels: Canal 7 (an Arabic-speaking channel) and Canal 9 (aFrench-speaking channel). During that period, broadcasting time didnot exceed six hours per day, from 6 pm to midnight. CLT’s successencouraged a group of Lebanese businessmen to set up and form asecond television named Télé-Orient, which obtained its own license in July 1961. The station began operatingin May 1962 from its headquarters in Hazmieh, east of the capital, and was known under the names of Canal 5and Canal 11.

Télé Liban’s activity is marked three periods: the first one from the late 1950s until the late 1970s. The secondperiod started in 1978 when CLT and Télé-Orient merged as a joint venture company, equally divided betweenthe public and the private sectors and operated under the name of Télé Liban. Télé Liban was granted a licensefor 25 years with a monopoly over broadcasting until 2012. As for the third period, it started in 1996 when theState bought all the private sector shares. The private sector shares had previously been bought by more thanone investor, the latest being former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who acquired all the private sector shares.

Télé Liban's monopoly was removed under the 1994 Audiovisual Media Law, and several private stations weregranted broadcasting licenses. Since then, Télé Liban found itself facing tremendous competition, whichimpacted its advertising revenues. The TV station was shut down in February 2001 and its employees were alllaid off by decision of the Council of Ministers; it would be reopened within three months. However, threemonths were not enough to reorganize Télé Liban as required and, according to TV standards, it was reopenedprematurely on May 25, 2001 and a modest budget of 120,000 USD was monthly allocated by the government.

Currently, Télé Liban does not have a Chairman of the Board knowing that eight people have managed the TVstation throughout the years. Télé Liban’s latest chairman was Talal Makdessi, whose mandate witnessedsignificant technological developments. It started airing using fiber optic cables since the shift of work hastransformed from analogue to digital. Also, when Makdessi took over the TV channel, Télé Liban had 19broadcasting stations in the different Lebanese regions but only 5 of them were operational. Now, 17 of themare functional and Télé Liban became the first to cover more than 95% of the Lebanese territories. Télé Libanalso broadcasted the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup games. Conflict occurred between Minister of InformationMelhem Riachi and Chairman Talal Makdessi in March 2017 (Riachi believes Makdessi “never complied with theMinistry’s requests to cease his violations of the company’s regulations. […] These serious distortions have



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provoked very strong reactions from officials and employees within the channel, which has led us to resort tolegal proceedings.”) This led to a judicial decision on May 26, 2017 following which Makdessi was dismissed. Theposition of Chairman remains vacant because of the difficulty to appoint someone amid political tensions. TéléLiban’s news director is Saeb Diab.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


11.6%

Public

National

Free content

Télé Liban SAL


Ownership

Ownership StructureTélé Liban SAL is owned by the Lebanese State.





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Télé Liban SAL


Facts

General Information


1954

Wissam Ezzeddine and Alex Moufarrej

Currently Vacant

Jalal Assaf

Phone: +961 (1) 788800Télé Liban Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




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Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share



Télé Liban’s Official Website. Accessed on 28 September 2018.

14 March Official Website (2015). يغطي أصبح: لبنان تلفزيون في االنجازات عن اعلن مقدسياللبنانية االراضي من% 95من اكثر . Accessed on 28 September 2018.

Elnashra (2017). لبنان تلفزيون في منصبه من المقدسي يعزل المستعجلة االمور قاضي: النشرة .

Accessed on 28 September 2018.

Lebanon / Méditerranée Audiovisuelle (2017). Sacking Télé-Liban’s

provisional CEO. Accessed on 28 September 2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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https://www.elnashra.com/news/show/1106409/

http://mediterranee-audiovisuelle.com/lebanon-sacking-tele-libans-provisional-ceo/?lang=en




L’Orient-Le JourA Lebanese French-language daily newspaper, L’Orient-Le Jour is theonly francophone daily newspaper in Lebanon. It was first issued onJune 15, 1971, after the two papers L’Orient - founded in 1924 byformer MP Gabriel Khabbaz and Minister Georges Naccache - andLe Jour - founded in 1934 by politician and businessman MichelChiha, merged for economic reasons. In 1976, the Syrian armybriefly shut down the newspaper because of its stance against itsmilitary intervention in Lebanon. The anti-Syrian regime editorial line was confirmed in 2005 after theassassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and since, the newspaper has been known to support theMarch 14 Alliance.

The paper covers politics, local and international news, finance, economics, culture, entertainment, and sports.The paper also publishes a monthly L’Orient-Le Jour Junior youth magazine, as well as a cultural supplement,L'Orient Littéraire, which is published on the first Thursday of every month. The latter was founded in 1929 bythe poet Georges Schehadé.

Former Minister Michel Eddé is L’Orient-Le Jour’s Chairman of the Board. Emilie Sueur, Ziyad Makhoul andMichel Touma have been Editors-in-Chief since 2015.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


3.1%

Private

National

Paid

Société Générale de Presse et d'Édition SAL




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Ownership

Ownership StructureThe main shareholders are former Minister Michel Eddé and his grandsons(38%), the Choueiri group (22.7%), and the family of Minister of State forPlanification Michel Pharaon, who owns 15.49%, directly through Mr. Pharaon(2.6%), his sister Nayla de Freige (1.7%), and companies they also own, i.e.Pharaon Holding SAL (11%) and Libano-Suisse Insurance Consulting (0.2%).


Individual OwnerEddé Family 38%

Choueiri Family 22.7%

Pharaon Family 15.5%




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Facts

General Information

1971

Gabriel Khabbaz, a Beirut MP, and Georges Naccache, then Minister ofInformation and Tourism as well as Lebanon's Ambassador in France, co-founded L'Orient in 1924. Michel Chiha, a Lebanese politician who wrotethe Constitution, founded Le Jour in 1934

Michel Eddé, former Minister and President of the Maronite Foundation.

Emilie Sueur, Ziyad Makhoul and Michel Touma since 2015.

Michel Hélou (Executive Director), Michel Eddé's grandson and owns 0.005%of the newspaper's affiliated company.

P.O. Box 45-254 BeirutPhone: +961 (5) 956 444L'Orient-Le Jour Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact



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Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

The official document provided by the Ministry of Justice's CommercialRegister mentions that the company's total number of shares is 175,000,000.However, shareholders have personally confirmed this is a mistake and thatthe exact number is 17,500,000 shares.Audience share for newspapers is based on IPSOS data (average readership2016 and 2017).

Official Website L'Orient-Le Jour.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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Al-ManarAl-Manar was founded in 1991. The TV station is fully affiliated withHezbollah, and calls itself the Station of the Resistance. It is part ofthe Lebanese Communication Group, which also includes Al-NourRadio. The programming is strongly anti-Israel and anti-US.

Al-Manar first began terrestrial broadcasting in 1991, and waslicensed pursuant to Decree No. 13476 of November 5, 1998. Itstarted satellite broadcasting in 2000 and unified terrestrial andsatellite broadcasts in 2014.

During the July 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel, Israeli warplanes struck the channel’s headquarters inBeirut’s southern suburb. Broadcasts were cut off for only a few minutes then resumed.

On December 4, 2015, Arabsat (an Arab-league affiliated satellite operator headquartered in the city of Riyadh,Saudi Arabia) blocked the broadcast of Al-Manar channel via its satellites, accusing it and another station, calledAl-Mayadeen, of violating the operators’ charter of honor.

The TV station’s General Manager is Ibrahim Farhat; its news director is Ali Hayek and the program director isMohammad Cherri.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


6.4%

Private

National

Free content





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Ownership

Ownership StructureAl-Manar presents itself as Hezbollah's television station. It is part of theLebanese Communication Group L.C.G SAL, whose board only includes high-ranking Hezbollah officials, including two former Members of ParliamentAbdallah Kassir and Mohammad Haidar. However the distribution of sharesamong those officials is not made public in the document released by theMinistry of Justice's Commercial Register.




Facts



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General Information


Further Information

1991

Hezbollah

Ibrahim Farhat

Ali Hayek (News Director)

Mohamad CherriProgram Director

Phone: +961 (1) 276000Al-Manar Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



Al-Manar’s Official Website. Accessed on 28 September 2018.

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources



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http://www.almanar.com.lb/

http://www.almanar.com.lb/about



RT Online (2015). المنار "قناة تحجب" سات عرب "شركة ". Accessed on 28 September

2018.

" والمنار الميادين "بحجب يرتبط ال لبنان لخارج الباقة نقل": سات عرب ". Accessed on 28

September 2018.


Lebanese University (2018). ."ل.م .ش لالعالم اللبنانية المجموعة - المنار "لشركة الترخيص

االولى الفئة من تلفزيونية بمؤسسة . Accessed on 9 November 2018.




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https://arabic.rt.com/news/802720

https://sabq.org/qmOgde


http://www.legallaw.ul.edu.lb/AmendedArticles.aspx?lawId=198878




Al-NourAl-Nour was launched on May 9, 1988 and obtained its license in1999. It broadcasts from Beirut and represents Hezbollah’s politicaland religious beliefs. It is part of the Lebanese CommunicationGroup. Its coverage reaches all Lebanese territories as well asnorthern Palestine and the Syrian coast. It broadcasts 24 hours aday on the following frequencies: 91.7, 91.9, and 92.3 FM. The radiostation launched its website (http://www.alnour.com.lb/) on May 9,1999, and incorporated continuous live online broadcasting inFebruary 2006. During the July 2006 war, the Israeli Air Force bombed the building that housed the radio’soffices and studios in a residential area of the southern suburbs of Beirut. However, the radio resumed its livebroadcasting seconds afterwards from another undisclosed location, and it continued doing so even after thewar. The general director is Youssef Al-Zein, the news director is Abbas Al-Chaker, and Hanan Husseini is thegeneral program director. It provides news bulletins, as well as political, economic, social programs andinterviews.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


7.1%

Private

National

Free Content





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Ownership

Ownership StructureAl-Nour presents itself as Hezbollah's radio station. It is part of the LebaneseCommunication Group L.C.G SAL, whose board only includes high-rankingHezbollah officials, including two former Members of Parliament AbdallahKassir and Mohammad Haidar. However the distribution of shares amongthose officials is not made public in the document released by the Ministry ofJustice's Commercial Register.




Facts



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General Information


Further Information

1988

Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist political party and militant group.

Youssef Al-Zein (General Manager)

Abbas Al-Chaker (News Director)

Hanan HusseiniGeneral Program Director

Phone: +961 (1) 543 555| | www.alnour.com.lb | Al Nour Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


AlNour. About. Accessed on 10 October 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



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http://http//www.alnour.com.lb/

http://www.alnour.com.lb/

http://www.alnour.com.lb/about







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Lebanese-Forces.comLebanese-Forces.com is the mouthpiece of the Lebanese Forces (LF)political party. It provides instant and daily news and coversinternational and national news with an overt slant in favor of theLF. The website also covers the daily activity of the party. Its Editor-in-Chief is George Al-Akoury (writer and journalist, and also theMedia Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of HealthGhassan Hasbani from the LF) and its general manager is Fares Trad(Member of the Central Council of the LF).

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Private

International

Free




185 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureLebanese-Forces.com is the official website of the Lebanese Forces politicalparty. It is not registered as a separate legal entity.



Facts

General Information


1999

Lebanese Forces

Fares Trad

George Akoury

Phone: +961 (1) 9212989Lebanese Forces Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





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Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share

While the founding year is not mentioned in the publicly available data of thewebsite, the creation date of the domain name is January 30, 1999 accordingto the registration database https://whois.net/.The audience share is the average number of unique browsers in August,September and October 2018. The data was provided by Vertical Media.



Lebanese Forces Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



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Al Kalima OnlineAl Kalima Online is a global news website established in 2013 byjournalist Simon Abou Fadel. Al Kalima Online covers various socialsegments with different interests, thus offers diverse news sectionsincluding: Local news, International news, Economy, Sports,Entertainment, Technology, Exclusive news, Gossip, Health, Socialevents, Security and Judiciary.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Private

International

Free




188 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureAl Kalima Online is directly owned by Simon Abou Fadel.


Individual OwnerSimon Abou Fadel 100%

Facts

General Information


2013

Simon Abou Fadel

Simon Abou Fadel

Simon Abou Fadel

Phone: +961 (4) 416 073Al Kalima Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





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Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share

The audience share is the average number of unique browsers in August andOctober 2018. The data was provided by Vertical Media.The data related to the daily number of readers came from the websiteadministration.

Al Kalima Online (2018). Facebook – About Page. Accessed on 10

November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



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https://www.facebook.com/pg/AlkalimaOnline/about/?ref=page_internal



Al-AkhbarEstablished by journalist Joseph Samaha (1949-2007), Al-Akhbar firstissue was published on August 14, 2006 by the media companyAkhbar Beirut, after acquiring the license for a newspaper alsonamed Al-Akhbar that was founded in 1953. A pro-Hezbollah andpro-Syrian regime daily, it generally opposes Saudi Arabia, theUnited States, the Future Movement, and the March 14 Alliance. ItsEditor-in-Chief is Ibrahim al-Amine, also the founder and Chairman of Akhbar Beirut.

In December 2010, Al-Akhbar received and published an advanced copy of the US State Department cables byWikiLeaks, after which the newspaper’s website was hacked and then shut down briefly. In 2011, thenewspaper launched the English-language website Al-Akhbar English, which was closed in March 2015 due tolack of funds.

On May 14, 2014, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague initiated the trial of Al-Akhbar and Ibrahim al-Amine on charges of contempt of the court and obstruction of justice after it published two articles pretendingto reveal confidential information on protected witnesses. In August 2016, the Special Tribunal issued its verdictand ruled that al-Amine be fined 20,000 Euros (eventually paid in October 2018) and that Akhbar Beirut befined 6,000 Euros.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


7.8%

Private

National

Paid

Akhbar Beirut SAL




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Akhbar Beirut SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureIbrahim Al-Amine owns 36.4% of Akhbar Beirut SAL directly and 7.4% through

his ownership of 59.7% of Akhbar Beirut Holding. Youssef Wehbi owns a totalof 34.8%; 29.9% directly and 5% through his ownership of 40% of AkhbarBeirut Holding. The Sun Press SAL owns 18.8 % of the shares of the AkhbarBeirut SAL. It is owned by MP Moustafa El Husseini (66.6%), and his son Firas(16.6%), and daughter Dima (16.6%).


Individual OwnerIbrahim Al Amine 43.8%

Youssef Wehbi 34.8%

Moustafa El Husseini 18.8%




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Facts

General Information


Further Information

License established in 1953. Relaunched in 2006

Missing Data

Ibrahim Al-Amine

Ibrahim Al-Amine

Pierre Abi Saab, Deputy Editor-in-Chief

P.O. Box 113-5963Phone: +961 (1) 759 597Al Akhbar Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



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Akhbar Beirut S.A.L. Guilty of Contempt, STL Found: One Small Verdict for

a Tribunal, a Giant Leap for International Justice? Accessed on 10 October

2018.

About the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Accessed on 10 October 2018.


؟”ليكس اإلمارات “حقيقة ما.. اللبنانية األخبار نشرتها . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

االنتخابات ونتائج الرئاسية التسوية تجديد ترفض السعودية . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

القطرية الوقاحة . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

ًاأيض جديدة نسخة.. الحريري ! Accessed on 10 October 2018.

السعودية؟ وأزمة الحريري أزمة بين . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

Al-Akhbar pulls plug on English site. Accessed on 10 October 2018.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2010/Dec-10/60643-al-

akhbar-newspaper-shuts-down-website-following-hack-attack.ashx

axzz392OCTufuAl-Akhbar newspaper shuts down website following hack attack. Accessed on10 October 2018.

العار ّوابن . Accessed on 10 October 2018.

العرقلة بل االنتقاد ليست التهمة»: األخبار«و» الجديد «محاكمة من األول اليوم . Accessed on 10

October 2018.

Future TV (2016). بتغريمهما وتحكم واالخبار االمين ابراهيم تدين الدولية المحكمة . Accessed on

10 October 2018.

بلبنا الخاصة بالمحكمة تعريف . Accessed on 10 October 2018.


Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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http://opiniojuris.org/2016/08/04/akhbar-beirut-s-a-l-guilty-of-contempt-stl-found-one-small-verdict-for-a-tribunal-a-giant-leap-for-international-justice/

https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/about-the-stl

https://www.eremnews.com/news/arab-world/gcc/1290585





http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Mar-06/289891-al-akhbar-pulls-plug-on-english-site.ashx

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2010/Dec-10/60643-al-akhbar-newspaper-shuts-down-website-following-hack-attack.ashx



http://futuretvnetwork.com/%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%ad%d9%83%d9%85%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%af%d9%88%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%af%d9%8a%d9%86-%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%87%d9%8a%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%85%d9%8a%d9%86-%d9%88/

https://www.stl-tsl.org/ar/about-the-stl




Al JoumhouriaAl Joumhouria was founded in 1924 by journalist Saji’ Asmar andwitnessed many years of interruption. It was first shut down in 1975at the beginning of the civil war, and though it tried to resumepublishing in 1985, the war ultimately prevented that. There was asecond attempt to get it running in 2005 with then-Defense MinisterElias Murr Al-Joumhouria but it was suspended after theassassination attempt on Murr, who eventually launched it in 2011.The newspaper is located in same building as the headquarters ofElias Murr’s father, MP Michel Murr. Michel Murr is the grandfatherof former MP Nayla Tueni, the General Manager of Annaharnewspaper. Al-Joumhouria includes the following sections: local and international news, business, arts, science,health, fashion, culture, sports, and technology. It is also available on iPad format. Michel Elias Murr is theChairman of the Board, and Georges Soulage is the Editor-in-Chief.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9.6%

Private

National

Paid





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Ownership

Ownership StructureThe Michel Elias Murr Family owns directly 72.3% and through companiesthey fully own, which are Group Murr SAL Holding (3.3%), Al Joumhouria NewsCorp Pan-Arab SAL Holding (20%) and Al Sharika Al Lubnania lil Idara walMoussahama SAL (3.3%).


Individual OwnerMichel Elias Murr Family 99%

Group / Individual OwnerEdouard Saadeh 1%


Facts



196 / 1471






General Information


Further Information


Elias Murr, served as Lebanon Interior Minister (2000-2004); Defense Minister(2005-2011); Deputy Prime Minister (2005-2008; 2009-2011).

Michel Elias Murr, son of Elias Murr (see above).

Georges Soulage

Phone: +961 (4) 402 999Al Joumhouria Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


UCIP Liban (2011). الصحافية األسرة جديد" الجمهورية "جريدة : لبنان . Accessed on 11

October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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https://web.archive.org/web/20140116071038/http:/ucipliban.org/arabic/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25869&Itemid=221




Sawt El MadaSawt El Mada was founded on June 1, 2009 and obtained its licensethat same year. State Minister Pierre Raffoul of the Free PatrioticMovement has been the CEO since its inception. It is broadcastthroughout all Lebanese regions and can be heard on the followingfrequencies: 92.5, 92.7, and 92.9 FM. It has a diverse network ofprograms: in addition to political news around the clock, it alsopresents artistic, entertainment, cultural, sports, social, and politicalprograms. It also carries out radio production activities. Raja Sawayais the executive director.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9.3%

Private

National

Free Content

Al Mada Group SARL




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Al Mada Group SARL

Ownership

Ownership StructureSawt El Mada is the radio station affiliated with the Free Patriotic Movement(FPM), founded by President Michel Aoun. FPM MP Elias Bou Saab ownsdirectly 24% of the shares and, through his holding Jets Holding SAL, 75%,therefore a total ownership of 99%.



Group / Individual OwnerFawzi MoutranFawzi Moutran is a Lebanese lawyer. 1%


Facts



199 / 1471






General Information


Further Information

2009

Elias Bou Saab, former Minister of Education (2014-2016) and Member ofParliament (since 2018).

Pierre Raffoul, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs (since 2016).

Raja Sawaya (Executive Director)

P.O. Box 90-1346Phone: +961 (3) 492 020| | www.sawtelmada.com | Sawt El Mada Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Sawt El Mada. About. Accessed on 10 October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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http://http//www.sawtelmada.com/


http://www.sawtelmada.com/about-us/




LBCIThe Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) is a media institutionfounded by the Lebanese Forces on August 23, 1985. It was thepolitical party’s main channel during the civil war and the first tobreak the monopoly of Télé Liban over television broadcasting. Itused to own the French-language TV channel C33, which wasfounded on September 12, 1988, and shut down on October 7, 1996due to financial constraints. Lebanese businessman Pierre Daherhas been chairman of LBC since its creation and in 1991 establishedLBCI, which bought LBC from the Lebanese Forces. In 1996, acompany was created outside of Lebanon as a joint venturebetween LBCI and AMC (Arab Media Co), headed by Saleh AbdullahKamel, a prominent Arabic businessman, who owned 49%, whileLBCI had 51% of the shares. In 1997, the Lebanese State granted LBCI an official license for terrestrialbroadcasting only a year after the Audiovisual Media Law was implemented. In 1998, LBCI began broadcastingvia satellite to Europe, America and Australia (under the LBC Sat brand). On December 14, 2004, LBCI and theLondon-based Al-Hayat newspaper created a joint newsroom first headed by Jihad Khazen and then byGeorges Semaan.

Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal is a Saudi businessman, investor, member of the Saudi royal family and grandson ofRiad Al Solh, Lebanon’s first post-Independence Prime Minister. In 2007 he acquired more than 85% of bothLBC SAT’s and PAC’s (the content provider for LBCI) shares. Consequently, the capital of PAC and LBC SAT wasincreased by 78 million dollars, reaching 123 million dollars in total. Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal was the only oneto subscribe. Thus, the shares of Lebanese shareholders declined considerably. Some of them sold theirshares, while others kept them, such as Pierre Daher who remained at the head of the group. This is howPrince Al-Waleed Bin Talal became the largest shareholder after he had bought Saleh Kamel’s shares in 2003.

A legal conflict then started between Daher and Bin Talal in 2011. On March 14, 2012, LBC SAT startedbroadcasting from Egypt after 15 years in Lebanon. LBCI and LBC SAT split and PAC Company was liquidated.

While the LBC Sat channels continued to broadcast LBCI’s programs, Bin Talal filed a lawsuit in the UK toacquire ownership. However, the LBCI’s attorney transferred the case before the French arbitration court in2013, in the complaint filed against Bin Talal to stop controlling LBC Europe, LBC America, LBC Africa, LBCAustralia and LBC Maghreb, to waive his alleged right to said channels and give them back to LBCI for onedollar only. In July 2018, the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris “ICC” ruled in favor of LBCI againstPrince Al-Waleed Bin Talal’s companies.

Lebanese Diaspora Corportation (LDC) is a Lebanese channel created by Pierre Daher on November 25, 2012following the split between LBCI and LBC Sat. LDC serves as the new satellite broadcasting channel for LBCIprograms.



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In the beginning of 2013, Daher launched LBCI Drama, a high-definition channel for Lebanese viewers only.

On September 17, 2016, Pierre Daher launched LBCI 2, a terrestrial TV targeting youth to replace the LBCIDrama. It offers a variety of local and Arabic series as well as Turkish drama series. It does not broadcast anypolitical programs or news bulletins.

The conflict opposing LBCI to Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces party, started when Geagea wasreleased after years in prison in 2005. Geagea asked Daher to return LBCI to the party, guaranteeing thesupervision of all media outlets affiliated with the Lebanese Forces. Daher rejected the offer and Geagea filed acomplaint against Daher in 2007 for “misuse of trust, fraud and embezzlement.” The trial sessions are stillongoing and included a confrontation between Geagea and Daher in June 2018. The judgment is expected inFebruary 2019. Jean Feghali is LBCI’s news director.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


41.7%

Private

National

Free content

Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International SAL




202 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureThe main owner of LBCI, until courts decide otherwise, is Pierre Daher andother family members: his brother Marcel, his wife Randa and her sistersRoula, Imane, and Rima, directly owning a total of 46.57%, and through WorldMedia Group, which is owned by Pierre Daher's children, Peter and Yara(33.33% each) and their maternal aunt Imane (33.33%), and Monitor Holding,which is owned by Pierre Daher's children, Peter, Yara and Ray (33.33%) each.Other key shareholders are former Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares andhis son Najad (10% each), as well as Maroun Jazzar; Investcom, which isaffiliated with former Prime Minister Najib Mikati's family (99.5% of Investcomshares); and Salah Osseiran.


Individual OwnerDaher-Saad Family 50.6%

Issam Fares 20%

Maroun Jazzar 4.4%

Mikati Family 4%

Salah Osseiran 4%



203 / 1471















Facts

General Information


1985

Lebanese Forces Party

Pierre Daher

Jean Feghali (News Director)

Phone: +961 (9) 850850LBC Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




204 / 1471





Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share



Asharq al-Awsat (2005). األوسط الشرق سي بي ال تاريخ في محطات . Accessed on 11

September 2018.

Asharq al-Awsat (2003). سي بي ال من بالمئة49يمتلك الوليد . Accessed on 18

September 2018.

Al-Akhbar (2012). الفضاء عن االرض ارتباط فك بجأ سي بي ال . Accessed on 10 October

2018.

LBC Group’s Official Website. Accessed on 11 September 2018.

Sudaress (2012). موظف400لتسريح ادى والوليد بيار بين الخالف . Accessed on 11

September 2018.

Al-Akhbar (2010). سي بي ال مكياجها تغير واالرضية الفضائية ابتلع الوليد . Accessed on 11

September 2018.

Khiyam (2012). ادما في االلغاء حرب . Accessed on 11 September 2018.

Al-Rai (2013). للتواصل وسيلتنا جعبته من سي دي ال أخرج الضاهر بيار . Accessed on 17

September 2018.

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources



205 / 1471

http://archive.aawsat.com/details.asp?article=284933&issueno=9587#.W5olOSQza71

http://archive.aawsat.com/details.asp?article=205725&issueno=9135#.W5olTyQza71

https://www.al-akhbar.com/Media_Tv/66942

https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/d/Lebanon/201985/

https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/arhttps://www.sudaress.com/alrakoba/50686

http://www.al-akhbar.com/node/59362


http://m.alraimedia.com/ar/article/arts/2013/01/09/381838/nr/nc



Al-Manar website (2015). الوليد من قنواتها تستعيد سي بي ال . Accessed on 11

September 2018.

Bisara7a (2016). ورائدة جرئية خطوة في الضاهر بيار الشيخ . Accessed on 16 September

2018.

Al-Akhbar (2016). lbci2 غدا تنطلق . Accessed on 23 October 2018.

Elaph (2007). الدوالرات ماليين على خالف والضاهر جعجع . Accessed on 19 September

2018.

Khiyam (2007). الضاهر بيار على تدعي القوات . Accessed on 16 September 2018.

LBC Group’s Official Website (2015). الوليد قبضة من قنواتها تستعيد سي بي ال . Accessed

on 14 June 2018.

Yemen Press (2015). Accessed on 18 September 2018.

An-nahar (2018). بين النزاع ًانهائي َصلَف تحكيمي قرار LBCI طالل بن والوليد . Accessed on 2

July 2018.

Al-Akhbar (2016). االخبار السعودي اإلعالم يمول الضاهر بيار . Accessed on 18 October

2018.




206 / 1471

http://archive.almanar.com.lb/article.php?id=1270916

http://bisara7a.com/


https://elaph.com/Web/Politics/2007/11/280722.html

http://khiyam.com/news/article.php?articleID=2048

https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/225499/

https://yemen-press.com/mobile/news52909.html

https://www.annahar.com/article/826203





Future TVFuture TV was founded by former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri andreceived its broadcast licence on March 21, 1997. The TV stationused to own Zein TV, a channel launched in 2001 and targeting ayoung adult audience. It aired a wide variety of entertainmentprograms for youth aged 15-35, addressing Internet, fashion andmusic, in addition to newscast. Zein TV was shut down on February14, 2005, upon Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination. OnDecember 9, 2007, Future TV launched the Future News channel,using the premises of Zein TV. Four years later, Future News wasshut down and merged with the main Future TV channel due to thestation's financial crisis; a large number of positions at bothchannels were subsequently eliminated.

On May 7, 2008, conflict between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement supporters and Future Movementsupporters erupted in Beirut and other Mount Lebanon areas. It is considered the most dangerous and violentconflict since the end of the Lebanese civil war. Pro-Hezbollah protesters stormed the Future TV headquartersin Beirut and the channel was forced to stop broadcast for several days.

Future TV’s political position is that of the Future movement led by Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Newscasts arebroadcast in Arabic but news briefs are also aired in English, French and Armenian. Future TV’s GeneralManager is Ramzi Jbeily and its news director is Nadim Koteich.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


12.6%

Private

National

Free content





207 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureFuture Television SAL has more than 70 shareholders. The Hariri familycontrols directly 59.14% of the shares, divided among Prime Minister SaadHariri, his brothers Ayman, Bahaa, Fahd, his aunt MP Bahia Hariri, hisstepmother Nazek Hariri, and his cousin Walid Hariri. Close allies of the Haririfamily, i.e. Saad Hariri's advisor Hani Hammoud own 10%, as well as theChammaa family, involved in several other ventures with the Hariri family,which owns 10%. Other minor shareholders include business partners suchas Bechara Nammour, Hariri advisors Salim Diab and Nadim Munla, a numberof bankers inlcuding Francois Bassil and Farid Raphael, as well assharelholders linked to a number of Lebanese politicians, including MP AnwarAl-Khalil, former Deputy Prime Minister Samir Mokbel, Future Movement MPand Interior Minister Nohad Machnouk, and former Minister Youssef Takla.



Hani Hammoud 10%

Ghaleb Chammaa 10%

Group / Individual OwnerOthersOther minor shareholders include business partners such as BecharaNammour (0.02%), Hariri advisors Salim Diab (0.04%), Nadim Munla (0.04%), anumber of bankers including Samir Hammoud (5.17%), Francois Bassil (0.08%)and Farid Raphael (1%), as well as sharelholders linked to a number ofLebanese politicians, including MP Anwar Al-Khalil (0.08%), former DeputyPrime Minister Samir Mokbel (0.4%), and former Minister Youssef Takla.

20.9%



208 / 1471











Facts

General Information

1997

Rafik Hariri, Prime Minister (1992-2008; 2000-2004), assassinated on 14February 2005.

Hani Hammoud

Nadim Koteich (News Director)

Ramzi JbeilyGeneral Manager of the TV station and an official signatory.

Nohad MachnoukFuture Movement MP and Interior Minister and owns a symbolic share of0.004%.

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief




209 / 1471





Further Information

White House buildingSpears streetSanayeh sectorBeirut P.O.Box 13-6052LebanonPhone: + 961 (1) 370700Future TV Website

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



Al-Jazeera (2008). بمقره يحيط اللبناني والجيش بثه يوقف المستقبل تلفزيون . Accessed on 28

September 2018.

Asharq al-Awsat (2001). الشباب بفرح دبي من انطلقت المستقبل قناة. زين . Accessed on 28

September 2018.

Inbaa (2013). ومقاربة مقارنة.. اللبنانية التلفزة محطات . Accessed on 28 September

2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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http://www.aljazeera.net/home/print/f6451603-4dff-4ca1-9c10-122741d17432/586fef0b-a102-4740-8cd1-21abe63446c9

https://bit.ly/2zjTtIR

http://www.inbaa.com/




Al-JadeedAl-Jadeed (formerly New TV) was founded by the LebaneseCommunist Party in 1992 and forcibly shut down in 1997 when it didnot get the required license as it did not support the pro-Syrianregime Lebanese authorities. The station was reopened in 2001 byTahseen Khayat (a Lebanese businessman, owner of TahseenGroup, a company working in different sectors such as publishing,printing, distribution, media, power generation andpharmaceuticals). In early 2007, New TV changed its name to Al-Jadeed. Al-Jadeed's editorial line is critical of the Future Movementand the March 14 alliance.

Its current chairman is Tahseen Khayat and its news director isMariam Al-Bassam.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


35.6%

Private

National

Free content

Al Jadeed SAL




211 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureAl-Jadeed is mainly owned by businessman Tahseen Khayat and his family,including his daughters Bouchra, Ghida, Nadia and Karma, and his son Karim(for a total of 58.13%). Other shareholders are businessmen Safa Al-Khoury(10%), and Abdallah Zakhem, Marwan Kalo and Nizar Younes (6.68% each).


Individual OwnerKhayat Family 58.1%

Safa Al Khoury 10%


Marwan Kalo 6.7%

Nizar Younes 6.7%



212 / 1471













Al Jadeed SAL


Facts

General Information


1992


Tahseen Khayat

Mariam Al-Bassam (News Director)

Phone: +961 (1) 303300Al-Jadeed Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




213 / 1471



http://www.aljadeed.tv/arabic



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share


The information regarding the Syrian interference and the date to get therequired license is based on an interview with the person responsible for Al-Jadeed’s archive.

Al-Jadeed registered the highest level of viewership in Lebanon according tothe info on their website.


Al-Jadeed’s Official Website. Accessed on 7 August 2018.

Presidency of the Council of Ministers Website (2014). 2014آب7جلسة .

Accessed on 7 August 2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



214 / 1471

http://www.aljadeed.tv/arabic/about-us/aljadeed-history

http://www.pcm.gov.lb/arabic/subpg.aspx?pageid=5813




Al-BinaaFounded in 1958, Al-Binaa is an Arabic-language daily newspaperpublished in Beirut by Al-Sharika Al-Qawmiya lil-I'lam. It is alignedwith the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, a secular nationalist politicalparty calling for Greater Syria and supporting the Syrian regime. ItsEditor-in-Chief is former Beirut MP Nasser Qandil, who also servedfrom 1995 to 2000 as President of the National Audiovisual MediaCouncil.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


0.3%

Private

National

Paid

Al-Sharika Al-Qawmiya lil-I'lam SARL




215 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureThree officials of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) formally own thecompany on behalf of the actual party.


Individual OwnerSyrian Social Nationalist Party 100%


Facts

General Information



216 / 1471







Further Information

1958

SSNP

Wael Al-Hassanieh (General Manager), Vice-President of the SSNP.

Nasser Qandil, former Member of Parliament (2000-2005).

Phone: +961 (1) 748 920Al Binaa Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Greater Syria includes Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Jordan, and Palestine.Audience share for newspapers is based on IPSOS data (average readership2016 and 2017).

Official Website Al Binaa.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



217 / 1471






Radio Liban LibreRadio of the Lebanese Forces, Radio Liban Libre (RLL) was foundedin the summer of 1978 by a decision of Bachir Gemayel, the founderof the Lebanese Forces who was elected President of the LebaneseRepublic in 1982 but was assassinated before taking office. SejaanKazzi (who served as Labor Minister from 2013 to 2016) was theradio’s first director. RLL obtained its license in 1996, after playing apolitical and media-centered role during the civil war, voicing theviews of the Lebanese Forces. It is currently one of the LebaneseForces’ media outlets, and it is broadcast via shortwaves on: 102.3,102.5, and 102.7 FM, covering various areas of Lebanon and some areas of neighboring countries. It providesnews bulletins, as well as political, economic, social and sports programs, music and songs. It is currently run byAntoine Mrad.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9.7%

Private

National

Free Content

Liban Libre pour la Production et la Diffusion SAL




218 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureRLL presents itself as the official radio station of the Lebanese Forces politicalparty. Its license to broadcast is owned by Liban Libre pour la Production et laDiffusion SAL, which has 17 co-owners, including 11 officials of the LebaneseForces party, among them the late Makarios Salamé (10%, former CentralCommittee member of the party), Elie Khalil (10%, the channel's lawyer),Antoine Mrad (10%, advisor to the President of the Lebanese Forces), TonySleiman (10%, RLL Programs Director), and Antoine Khoueir (10%).




Facts



219 / 1471







General Information


Further Information

1978

The Lebanese Forces, a Lebanese Christian political party and former militia.

Edgar Majdalani

Elie Harb

P.O. Box 110 Zouk MikaelPhone: +961 (9) 225 577| | www.rll.com.lb | RLL Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


RLL Live Streaming. Accessed on 10 October 2018.

Radio Liban Libre Online. نحن من . Accessed on 8 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



220 / 1471




http://www.rll.com.lb/about/






221 / 1471




NBNThe National Broadcasting Network (NBN) was founded in 1996 byLebanon’s Parliament Speaker and head of Amal movement, NabihBerri, pursuant to Decree No. 10059 of January 10, 1998.

In September 2000, NBN launched its satellite channel via Nile Sat tocover the Arab World, Europe and Africa. Since 2004, NBN isavailable in the United States, through Reach Media Inc and in NorthAmerica, Latin America, Australia and Canada as part of ART. NBN isthe official television of the Lebanese Amal movement. KassemSoueid is chair of NBN’s board of directors and MohammadNoureddine is its news director.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


4.8%

Private

National

Free content

National Broadcasting Network (NBN) SAL




222 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureNBN is the television of the Amal Movement led by Speaker of ParliamentNabih Berri. However, the Berri family itself only appears through threeshareholders, Nabih Berri's siblings Mahmoud and Amina, as well as hissister-in-law Samira Assi, owning a total of 19.70%. The other majorshareholders are close political allies of Berri and leading officials of the AmalMovement, from the Hamdan family (29.8%), Ahmad Hussein and NBN's CEOKassem Soueid (10% each). Also listed is William Mjalli (9.89% of the shares),who is in fact the chief-of-staff of former Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares.


Individual OwnerHamdan Family 29.8%

Berri Family 19.7%

Ahmad Hussein 10%

Kassem Soueid 10%

William Mjalli 9.9%



223 / 1471















Facts

General Information


1996

Nabih Berri, Speaker of Parliament since 1992.

Kassem Soueid

Mohammad Noureddine (News Director)

Phone: +961 (1) 803981NBN Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




224 / 1471





Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share



NBN’s Official Website. Accessed on 11 September 2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



225 / 1471





OTVOTV is a publicly-traded TV founded in 2007 by Roy Hachem, theson-in-law of Lebanese President Michel Aoun and current chairmanof the station. OTV started broadcasting programs through twocompanies. The first one is Alubnaniah lil Ilam SAL which wasgranted a broadcasting license by the Lebanese Council of Ministersin June 2006 and gathered 15 shareholders at the beginning. It wasin charge of defining the TV station’s policy in terms of news andprograms. The second one is OTV Holding to handle finance andadvertising. At the time, Michel Aoun was MP and president of theFree Patriotic Movement. He suggested the possibility for allLebanese to subscribe in order to fund the station. Back then, oneshare used to cost 10 US dollars and each shareholder had theobligation to buy at least 10 shares, with the possibility to share them with others if he could not afford to pay100 US dollars. OTV began broadcasting via satellite on July 20, 2007.

OTV’s political position is that of the Free Patriotic Movement and the station broadcasts diverse cultural, socialand political shows. Its news director is Jad Abou Jaoudé.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


16.4%

Private

National

Free content





226 / 1471




Ownership


Individual OwnerAoun Family 50%

Group / Individual OwnerJoseph El ZoghbyJoseph El Zoghby is also a member of the board of OTV Holding SAL (see OTVMedia profile).

10%

Assaad GeitaniAssaad Geitani is a Lebanese businessman, owning shares in OTV Holding SAL(see OTV Media profile).

10%




227 / 1471







Facts

General Information


Further Information

2007

Roy Hachem, President Michel Aoun's son-in-law.

Roy Hachem

Jad Abou Jaoudé

Phone: +961 (1) 517050OTV Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



Headlines

Meta Data



228 / 1471




OTV’s Official Website. Accessed on 28 September 2018.

Al-Akhbar (2006). البرتقالية .الشاشة النطالق العكسي العد بدأ Accessed on 28 September

2018.

TV audience shares

Sources

Documents



229 / 1471


https://al-akhbar.com/Culture_People/208055




MTVMTV (Murr TV) was founded in 1991 by Gabriel Murr, a Lebanesebusinessman and politician. He is the brother of current MP andformer Deputy Prime Minister Michel Elias Murr. MTV’s current CEOand chairman is Michel Gabriel Murr, Gabriel's son. The TV stationwas shut down in 2002 as a result of Syrian pressure andintimidation. However, the legal argument raised was that it violatedarticle 68 of the electoral law of 1999. This article bans propagandaduring the election process, which the station had been found guilty of in favor of Murr who ran for Parliamentin June 2002 against his niece, Mirna Murr (daughter of former Deputy Prime Minister Michel Elias Murr andsister of then Interior Minister Elias Murr) and won. The Lebanese security forces stormed the offices, roughedup the staff and ordered them to leave the offices. The station finally reopened its doors seven years later, onApril 7, 2009, two months before the 2009 parliamentary elections. It is important to note that, back in 2005,the Lebanese parliament decided to amend article 68 and reopen the station after the Syrian troupes withdrewfrom Lebanon and the anti-Syrian opposition coalition won a majority in Lebanon’s parliament, but the stationremained closed.

In March 1995, MTV got its license under the Audiovisual Media Law and launched its local news broadcastsalong with a number of political and socio-economic shows. The TV station supports the views of the March 14Alliance (a coalition of political parties and movements that was formed after Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’sassassination or the so-called Cedar Revolution). This Alliance was named after a huge protest that gatheredmore than a million people in the streets of Beirut on March 14, 2005. MTV’s news director is Walid Abboud.



230 / 1471



Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


32.5%

Private

National

Free content

MTV SAL


Ownership

Ownership StructureThe documents made available by the Ministry of Justice's CommercialRegister mention five co-owners of MTV SAL: four children of Gabriel Murr(Michel, Jyad, Carl and Carole) as well as Joseph Sarkis, without detailing thenumber of shares each one of them holds.



Joseph Sarkis



231 / 1471







MTV SAL


Facts

General Information


1991

Gabriel Murr, former Member of Parliament (2002).

Michel Gabriel Murr

Walid Abboud (News Director)

Phone: +961 (4) 444000MTV Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




232 / 1471






Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share



MTV’s Official Website. Accessed on 11 September 2018.

Al-Modon (2016). تبتلع أن من أكبر.. البلدية ّرالم إمبراطورية . Accessed on 11 September

2018.

Legal Agenda (2015). المخالف الرأي صاحبة عون، غادة . Accessed on 11 September

2018.

Menassat (2009). السياسي؟ أم اإلعالمي المشهد الى تعود في تي أم ال . Accessed on 11

September 2018.

HuffPost (2011). Lebanon’s MTV News Defies Critics, Rolls With the

Punches. on September 28, 2018.

Profile of Michel Murr on the Murr Group website. Accessed on 11

September 2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



233 / 1471


https://www.almodon.com/politics/2016/5/14/

http://legal-agenda.com/article.php?id=1049

http://www.menassat.com/?q=ar/news-articles/5869-

http://web.archive.org/web/20171011153108/https:/www.huffingtonpost.com/magda-abufadil/murr-television-lebanon_b_931657.html

http://www.groupmurr.com/founders




Tayyar.orgEstablished in 2001 to promote the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM)and the agenda of its leader and current President of LebanonGeneral Michel Aoun, Tayyar.org offers breaking, local andinternational political news, in addition to cultural and social news.Most of the international news are taken from an external source.Local news covers mostly the agenda of the Free PatrioticMovement and President Aoun. A special section on the website isdedicated to the FPM's activity.

The website is amongst the top visited news websites in Lebanon(20% of the visitors) according to the Nielsen survey.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Private

International

Free




234 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureTayyar.org is the official website of the Free Patriotic Movement. It is notregistered as a separate legal entity.


Individual OwnerFree Patriotic Movement 100%

Facts

General Information


2001


Missing Data

Patrick Bassil

Phone: +961 (1) 499010Tayyar.org Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





235 / 1471






Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share




Dubai Press Club. ARAB MEDIA OUTLOOK(2009-2013). Accessed on 22

November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



236 / 1471


https://fas.org/irp/eprint/arabmedia.pdf



AnnaharOne of the oldest Lebanese daily political newspapers, Annahar wasfounded by Ambassador Gebran Tueni. Its first issue came out onAugust 4, 1933, and Tueni’s son Ghassan joined the newsroom in1948 till 1999. Following his father’s footsteps, he became one of themost prominent journalists in Lebanon, even assuming diplomatic,parliamentary, and ministerial posts. Ghassan’s son, Gebran, alsofollowed this path until he was assassinated in a car bomb onDecember 12 2005, after he was elected a Member of Parliament for Beirut. Six months earlier, Annaharjournalist Samir Kassir was assassinated in similar circumstances on June 2, 2005.

In 2009, the newspaper suffered a financial crisis and dismissed over 50 employees. The same situationoccurred again in 2016 and some of those who were let go filed complaints against the newspaper at theMinistry of Labor. In January 2009, Annahar launched its Web TV and in June 2013, the daily launched a newprint and an online version. Former MP and Gebran’s daughter Nayla Tueni is the General Manager and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper. Ghassan Hajjar is the Director of Publication.

Annahar covers local and international news, health, beauty, technology, women, science, arts, society,entertainment, and social issues.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9.4%

Private

National

Paid

Annahar SAL




237 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureMembers of the Tueni family directly own 20.62%. Current Education MinisterMarwan Hamade - the uncle of the Tueni children - owns 0.15% and the NadiaTueni Foundation, an association named after the first wife of late GhassanTueni owns 2.2%. The Hariri family owns 99.9% of Al Mal Investment Co. SALHolding, which holds 39.6% of Annahar SAL.


Individual OwnerTueni Family 23%

Hariri Family 39.6%

Ali Ghandour 1.7%




238 / 1471









Annahar SAL


Facts

General Information

1933

Gebran Tueni, Lebanese journalist, diplomat, and politician.

Nayla Tueni, former Member of Parliament (2009-2018) and great-grand-daughter of the founder.

Nayla Tueni

Ghassan Hajjar, Managing Editor since 2009, Hajjar joined Annahar as ajournalist in 1996. The Director of Annahar Center for Training and Research,he teaches at the Antonine University and the Lebanese University.

| | www.annahar.com | Annahar WebsitePhone: +961 (1) 994 888

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact



239 / 1471








Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


إنهاء.. 2017الـ في" النهار "أزمة! .بإنسانية وال بأخالق تعاملنا لم تويني: الجريدة يقاضون" النهار "مفصولوموظف؟100عمل . Accessed on 11 October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



240 / 1471

https://www.annahar.com/




Al-LiwaaA daily political newspaper, Al-Liwaa deals with Arab, regional, andinternational affairs. It was founded by Abdel Ghani Salam in 1963and is pro-March 14 Alliance. The paper includes a section called"Islamiyyat" which covers Islamic religious topics. Adnan Ghalayini isthe Administrative Director, and Salah Salam is the Editor-in-Chief. Itis published in Arabic in Beirut by Dar Al-Liwaa for Press andPublishing.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


1.8%

Private

National

Paid

Dar Al-Liwaa for Press and Publishing SAL




241 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureThe three daughters of Salah Salam, Nisrine, Sirine and Nadine own 98% ofthe shares. Salah Salam owns 1% and his wife Najwa 1% as well.


Individual OwnerSalam Family 100%


Facts

General Information



242 / 1471







Further Information

1963

Abdel Ghani Salam, late Lebanese writer.

Salah Salam

Salah Salam

Phone: +961 (1) 751 000Al Liwaa Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Future Movement undergoing 'structural reorganization'. Accessed 11

October 2018.

Janoubia (2014). اإلعالم مسيرة في ًاعام50و سالم صالح . Accessed 22 November

2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



243 / 1471


https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-182251437.html

http://janoubia.com/2014/11/26/%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%8850-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85/




The Daily StarThe Daily Star was founded in June 1952 by journalist Kamel Mrowa,the owner and Editor-in-Chief of the pan-Arab Al-Hayat dailynewspaper. Malek Mrowa, the son of Kamel Mrowa is its currentChairman of the Board and journalist Nadim Ladki its Editor-in-Chief. It is the only English-language print daily in Lebanon.

The Daily Star stopped printing with the outbreak of the civil war asits offices were in the middle of the battlefield. Its activity resumed in November 1983 with Kamel Mrowa’schildren until mid-1985, when it became a weekly newspaper. The ongoing war eventually halted its activityonce again until 1996.

In January 2009, the paper was closed for two weeks by a Lebanese court order due to financial difficulties andit resumed activity the following month thanks to agreements with creditors regarding the payment ofaccumulated debt. In 2010, a group of businessmen close to the Hariri family bought the paper.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


0.3%

Private

National

Paid

The Daily Star SAL




244 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureMalek Mrowa - son of The Daily Star's founder - and Nadim Ladki - the Editor-in-Chief - own 0.007% of the shares each. The remaining shares are owned byD.S. Holding SAL, which in turn is owned by Middle Holding SAL (founded bySaad Hariri), which in turn is owned by Millennium Development SAL, which inturn is owned by Cayman Islands-based Millennium DevelopmentInternational. The Chairman confirms that the shares ultimately belong to theHariri family. Also, Millennium Development SAL was founded by MillenniumDevelopment Holding SAL, which in turn is owned by Inmaa Holding SAL thatis owned by Mr. Nader Hariri, son of MP Bahia Hariri and cousin and formerchief-of-staff of Prime Minister Saad Hariri.



Group / Individual OwnerMalek MrowaMalek Mrowa is the son of The Daily Star's founder. ?

Nadim LadkiNadim Ladki is the Daily Star's Editor in Chief. ?



245 / 1471





The Daily Star SAL


Facts

General Information

1952

Kamel Mrowa, late Lebanese publisher and journalist. Besides The Daily Star,he founded the Arabic daily Al-Hayat, and the French language newspaperBeyrouth Matin in 1959. His politics opposed military dictatorships. He waskilled by a gunman in 1966.

Malek Mrowa, Vice-President of the Samir Kassir Foundation and Vice-President of the Democratic Renewal Movement. He is the son of thefounder.

Nadim Ladki

Phone: +961 (1) 985 313Daily Star Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact



246 / 1471







Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Arab Media Forum (2013). Nadim Ladki Biography. Accessed on 22

November 2018.


Dailystar. About. Accessed on 11 October 2018.

12th Arab Media Forum 2013. Speaker Profile Nadim Ladki. Accessed on

21 November 2018.


Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



247 / 1471


http://www.dailystar.com.lb/AboutUs.aspx





Al MustaqbalAl Mustaqbal newspaper was founded by late Lebanese PrimeMinister Rafik Hariri in June 1999. It supports the political views ofthe Future Movement, which is headed by current Lebanese PrimeMinister Saad Hariri. This newspaper suffered a financial crisis in2015, prompting the dismissal of employees and a delay in paymentof salaries. Hani Hammoud, the former General Manager of RadioOrient is the Editor-in-Chief and Chairman of the Board, and SaadAl-Alayli is the General Director.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


3%

Private

National

Paid





248 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureArab United Press Corp is owned by the Hariri family (Saad, Nazek, Bahaa,Ayman, Hind, Fahd) 98%; the remaining 2% are owned by four politicaladvisors and business partners of Saad Hariri.



Group / Individual OwnerOthers 2%


Facts



249 / 1471






General Information


Further Information

1999


Hani Hammoud, Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s political and media adviser andlate Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's media advisor.

Hani Hammoud

Saad Al-Alayli, General Manager.

Phone: +961 (1) 746 301Al Mustaqbal Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


للقوانين مخالف المستقبل صحيفة من موظفين صرف: العمل . Accessed on 11 October 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



250 / 1471

http://www.almustaqbal.com/

https://www.eliktisad.com/news/show/252404/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84:-%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%81-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B8%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86



Newspapers audience sharesDocuments



251 / 1471




Radio OrientRadio Orient is a Lebanese radio station broadcast from Beirut. Itfirst aired in 1982 from Paris and was founded by Raghid al-Shammaa, a French-Lebanese businessman based in Paris. It wassold to former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in late 1994 and obtainedits license the same year. At the time, it was one of the strongestArab media outlets in Europe. Hariri’s adviser Hani Hammoud wasappointed as its general manager, but the latter began his new roleby clashing not only with a significant number of employees, butalso with the relevant journalists’ unions in Paris. Hammoudreturned to Beirut to work alongside PM Hariri. The radio continued to operate from both Paris and Beirut, butas financial obstacles erupted frequently, the decision was to save money by laying off staff. The radio airsnews and political programs in addition to diverse local artistic programs and game shows on 88.3 and 88.7 FM.It is currently run by Kamal Risha.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


4.2%

Private

National

Free Content

Radio Orient SAL




252 / 1471



Radio Orient SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureRadio Orient is affiliated with the Hariri family through Wave Holding SAL,which holds 99.7% of Radio Orient SAL. Wave Holding SAL is owned 99.65% byMP Bahia Hariri, aunt of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and sister of late PrimeMinister Rafik Hariri.




Facts

General Information



253 / 1471








Further Information

1982

Raghid Al-Shammaa

Kamal Risha (General Manager)

Phone: +961 (1) 370 700| | www.radioorientlb.com | Radio Orient Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Al Riyadh (2005). الحريري رفيق اغتيال بعد قدميه على بالوقوف يأمل الشرق راديو . Accessed on

10 October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



254 / 1471



http://www.alriyadh.com/40552




Lebanon 24Lebanon 24 was first launched in 2015. It belongs to InvestcomHolding, owned by former Prime Minister's Mikati's family. Thewebsite covers local and international politics, finance, and sports.Articles on Lebanon 24 website are a mix of curated and in-housecontent. Its General Manager is Rabih Saadeh.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type



Private

International

Free

Lubnan 24 SAL




255 / 1471



Lubnan 24 SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureLubnan 24 SAL is owned by the Mikati Family through their ownership of99.9% of Investcom Holding SAL.


Individual OwnerMikati Family 99.9%


Facts

General Information

2012Founding Year



256 / 1471







Further Information

Missing Data

Rabih Saadeh (General Manager)

André Kassas and Ahmad Zoabi

Phone: +961 (1) 317773Lebanon 24 Website

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


KnowledgeView (2015). Lebanon24 Launches Round the Clock News

Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



257 / 1471


https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lebanon24-launches-round-the-clock-news-website-502725231.html



Télé Lumière and NoursatThe "Television of Light" (Télé Lumière) was founded in 1991 by agroup of people: the late Charles Helou, former President ofLebanon, the late Georges Frem (ex MP and minister), JacquesKallassi, Georges Moawad, Rola and Sana Nassar, Dr. Antoine Saad,Christiane Debbaneh and Brother Nour. The Church has beensupporting the Télé Lumière project ever since its implementation.The TV station is supervised by the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchsand Bishops in Lebanon and directed by a committee involvingreligious leaders from various denominations. The relationshipbetween the Church and Télé Lumière is organized through a"cooperation protocol." As for the government, it considers Télé Lumière, through the Assembly of CatholicPatriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon, a Christian station that is financially independent, having freedom ofmanagement and programming and controlled only by the authority of the Church. In June 2003, on Pentecost,Télé Lumière celebrated its 12th anniversary as well as the launching of its satellite station Noursat coveringthe Middle East, Europe and North Africa. On September 8, 2004, Noursat began broadcasting in North andSouth America, Canada and Australia. The TV station refuses to broadcast political news. Télé Lumière’sExecutive Director is Jacques Kallassy and its programming director is Marie-Thérèse Kreidi. It includes severalchannels: Nour al-Shabab that targets youth and addresses their problems and concerns; Nour al-Sharq, whichis the special satellite for Oriental Churches’ affairs. Its programs are distributed equally among all churchesregarding the broadcasting content; Nour al-Koddass that broadcasts round-the-clock masses; Nour Music thatbroadcasts religious and classical melodies; Mariam (Mary) channel, which includes cultural and educationalshows; and Nour al-Rouh that broadcasts religious shows.



258 / 1471



Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


0%

Private

National

Free content

Télé-Lumière SALNoursat SAL




259 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureTélé Lumière is co-owned by several Lebanese Christian religiousdenominations, dioceses and monastic orders, in addition to a number ofbusinesspeople. Most of these businesspeople are also shareholders of thesister company Noursat, which broadcasts on satellite. Télé Lumière has atotal of 1000 shares. Noursat has a total of 5000 shares; therefore 6000shares combined. Percentage of ownership is then calculated after combiningboth companies, on the basis of 6000 shares.


Individual OwnerFrem Family 27.5%

Nassar Family 29.2%

Gebran Tohmé 1.4%

Kallassi Family 28.5%



260 / 1471













Facts

General Information


1991

Charles Helou, Georges Frem, Jacques Kallassi, Georges Moawad, Rola andSana Nassar, Antoine Saad, Christiane Debbaneh, and Brother Nour

Jacques Kallassi

Marie-Thérèse Kreidi (Programs Director)

Phone: +961 (1) 255001Noursat Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




261 / 1471






Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share



Noursat’s Official Website. Accessed on 28 September 2018.

L’Orient-Le Jour (2016). Edition 1 March 2016. Accessed on 10 November

2018.

TV audience shares

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



262 / 1471


https://www.lorientlejour.com/storage/pdfs/2016/6287_file1.pdf




Radio LibanRadio Liban operates under the supervision of the Ministry ofInformation and according to the media plan established by theGovernment.

Radio Liban was founded in 1938 under the presidency of EmileEddé. Initially called Radio al-Sharq (Radio Orient), it was located inthe Sérail building in Beirut, which formerly housed the PrimeMinister’s office and currently houses the Ministry of the Interior.Albert Adib (a Lebanese writer and poet born in 1908) became thefirst national director appointed to manage Radio Liban along withthe famous Lebanese poet Said Akl as Arabic broadcaster. In April1946, the Lebanese government took over the radio station fromthe French Mandate which used to broadcast in both Arabic and French. It became part of the Ministry of Newsand Tourism under a new name: Mahattat al-Itha’a al-Lubnaniya (Lebanese Radio Station). The GermanSiemens provided technical support to the radio station project, which included seven studios, a recordinglibrary, and a transmission station in Amshit, 45 km north of Beirut. With the beginning of the Lebanese war in1975, the radio station faced difficult circumstances as its transmission stations were damaged, interruptingcommunications between them and the headquarters in Beirut. After the Taif Agreement, Radio Libanprogressively recovered its broadcast with the help of foreign donors and in 2003 entered a partnership withRadio France International (RFI) when two studio were set up for the French programming available on 96.2 FM.

For the Arabic programming, the radio includes seven main studios with new equipment supplied and installedby the Swiss Studer company in 2007. It operates on 98.1 and 98.5 FM. Its radio recording library is consideredone of the richest in the Middle East. It contains thousands of programs, music and song recordings byLebanese, Arab, and foreign artists and singers who passed through during its golden age and recorded theirmusic in the studios.



263 / 1471



Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type

0.3%

Public

National

Free Content


Ownership

Ownership StructureRadio Liban is a directorate within the Lebanese Ministry of Information.


Individual OwnerLebanese State 100%

Facts

General Information

1938Founding Year



264 / 1471






Further Information

Mohammad Ibrahim (Director)

Rita Njeim Roumi (Programs Director)

Phone: +961 (1) 343 217Radio Liban Website

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Radio Liban. About. Accessed on 10 October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



265 / 1471

http://www.radioliban.gov.lb/

http://www.radioliban.gov.lb/ar/about-us




JanoubiaJanoubia was established in 2007 by Ali Al-Amine, who is the Editor-in-Chief of the website. It covers national and international news. In2014 they launched Janoubia English and are associated to aquarterly magazine called Sho'un Janoubia and to an NGO bothestablished in 2002. In addition to the website and magazine, theytrain journalists and hold conferences on several topics related tomedia, the economy and politics.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Private

International

Free




266 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureJanoubia is directly owned by Ali Al-Amine. It is affiliated with the NGO Sho'unJanoubia.


Individual OwnerAli Al Amine 100%

Facts

General Information


2007

Ali Al-Amine

Ali Al-Amine

Ali Al-Amine

Phone: +961 (7) 6037181Janoubia Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





267 / 1471






Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share

The audience share is the average number of unique browsers in August andOctober 2018. The data was provided by Vertical Media.

Janoubia Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Interview with the administration office of the website on 16 October 2018

Meta Data

Sources



268 / 1471




AddiyarAddiyar was first published in 1941 as an Arab daily politicalnewspaper. In 1988, it was taken over by journalist Charles Ayoub,but was temporarily shut down in January 1990 by then-PrimeMinister Michel Aoun because of Ayoub’s political alignments. Itresumed publishing after three days. The paper is known to be pro-Syrian regime. Ayoub himself confirmed receiving funding from theSyrian regime. Charles Ayoub is the Chairman of the Board. FadiShami and Emile Hayek are both Editors-in-Chief.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


6.6%

Private

National

Paid

Al-Nahda SAL




269 / 1471



Al-Nahda SAL

Ownership

Ownership StructureAddiyar is published by Al-Nahda SAL, which is almost fully owned by CharlesAyoub (98.6%). 1.4% of the shares of Al-Nahda SAL are held by KingdomHolding SAL, which is owned by the Solh Family (Al Waleed Bin Talal's aunts,Leila Solh (former Lebanese Minister of Industry), his mother Mona Solh, andhis cousin Walid Solh. However, Kindgom Holding SAL is the Lebanese branchof the Saudi conglomerate Kingdom Holding, which is owned 95% by Prince AlWaleed Bin Talal.







270 / 1471








Facts

General Information


Further Information


Charles Ayoub

Charles Ayoub

Fadi Shami and Emile Hayek

Phone: +961 (5) 923 830Addiyar Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

The MOM team tried to obtain information from the newspaper’s archivesand administration for the period between 1941 and 1988, but it wasinformed that the only information available is that which falls under Ayoub’sadministration.Audience share for newspapers is based on IPSOS data (average readership2016 and 2017).

Meta Data



271 / 1471




NYTimes (1990). A Second Newspaper Is Shut by Lebanese General.


MEMRI (2006). Lebanon Faces Political Crisis in Aftermath of War: Tensions

Escalate Between ‘March 14 Forces’ and Hizbullah, Pro-Syrian Camp.


Zaman Al Wsl (2013). تحتقرني وال اقتلني: األسد بشار إلى أيوب شارل من ثانية رسالة . Accessed

11 October 2018.


Sources

Documents



272 / 1471

https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/19/world/a-second-newspaper-is-shut-by-lebanese-general.html

https://www.memri.org/reports/lebanon-faces-political-crisis-aftermath-war-tensions-escalate-between-%E2%80%98march-14-forces%E2%80%99-and

https://www.zamanalwsl.net/news/article/39804%20%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9%20%D8%AB%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9%20%D9%85%D9%86%20%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%84%20%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A8%20%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89%20%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3




Sawt El ShaabSawt El Shaab was founded by the Lebanese Communist Party in1987 as a partisan, commercial radio in Lebanon. It obtained itslicense in 1996, and broadcasts from Beirut news and politicalprograms as well as diverse local artistic programs. It is aired on thefollowing FM frequencies: 103.7 (Beirut) and 104.0 (Tripoli). It iscurrently run by Semaan Bou Moussa.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


3.7%

Private

National

Free Content

Al-Sharika Al-Alamiya lil Bath (Shaab) SAL




273 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureSawt El Shaab is the official radio of the Lebanese Communist Party. The legalstructure of this company is a one-person trader (تاجر). Journalist and partymember Tanios Deaibes, who is not the owner but the person in charge withregards to official contacts with the public administration. The license tobroadcast is owned by Al-Sharika Al-Alamiya lil Bath (Shaab) SAL, which is co-owned by several Communist and leftist political, social and cultural figures inLebanon.


Individual OwnerLebanese Communist Party 100%


Facts



274 / 1471







General Information


Further Information

1987

The Lebanese Communist Party

Nabil Fawaz

General ManagerSemaan Bou Moussa

Phone: +961 (1) 311 809Sawt El Shaab Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share


Sawt Achaab. About. Accessed on 10 October 2018.


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



275 / 1471


https://sawtachaab.com/web/index.php/site/page?view=about




Ya SourYa Sour was launched in 2005 and covers Southern Lebanon. It alsooffers news about the Lebanese from southern Lebanon livingabroad. The website relies on its network of correspondents tocover Southern Lebanon and on news agencies to cover the rest ofthe country. In 2013, Ya Sour launched its own sports websitewww.yasoursport.org covering both local and international sports.Its CEO is Haitham Shaaban and its General Director is AbirMahfouz. Ya Sour belongs to Ya Sour Media and Social Group, whichalso offers radio coverage in Southern Lebanon and live internet radio broadcasts for international users. Dailynumber of readers is between 120 and 150 thousand.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type

Missing Data

Private

International

Free




276 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureThe legal form is an association (Law of 1909), therefore it is not a company.


Individual OwnerYa Sour Media and Social Group 100%

Facts

General Information


2005

Missing Data

Haitham Shaaban

Abir Mahfouz

Phone: +961 (7) 350506Ya Sour Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact




277 / 1471



http://www.yasour.org/2018/ar/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share

No data on audience or unique browsers were available. Ya Sour was addedto the media selection at the recommendation of the advisory group.The Data related to the daily percentage of reader came from the websiteadministration.


Meta Data

Sources



278 / 1471

http://www.yasour.org/2016/index.php



Lebanon DebateLebanon Debate is a private news portal established by MichelKanbour on July 15, 2010. It offers breaking, local, internationalpolitical news, and miscellaneous news about tourism, technologyand interior design. The website is designed to produce its ownnews and deliver brief information gathered through monitoringother media outlets without any additional analysis. The Editor-in-Chief is Fadi Eid.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Private

International

Free




279 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureLebanon Debate is directly owned by Michel Kanbour.


Individual OwnerMichel Kanbour 100%

Facts

General Information


2010

Michel Kanbour

Michel Kanbour

Fadi Eid

Phone: +961 (1) 347773Lebanon Debate Website

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





280 / 1471






Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share



Lebanon Debate Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



281 / 1471





LankadeepaThe weekly Irida (Sunday) Lankadeepa and its daily edition,Lankadeepa, are published by Wijeya Newspapers Limited, a mediaconglomerate owned and managed by Ranjit Wijewardene. IridaLankadeepa is the most read newspaper in the country with thereadership of 27.15 percent, the daily edition of Lankadeepareaches an audience of 5.26 percent. The papers primarily focus ondomestic issues such as local politics, economics, business, sportsand entertainment in their coverage. While Irida Lankadeepa and Lankadeepa are Wijeya's flagship Sinhalalanguage publications, Tharunya, Wijeya, Bilindu, Ada, and Sirisetha also cater to a Sinhala-speaking readership.Additionally, Lankadeepa’s sister publication Vijay caters to a Tamil-speaking readership, while Daily Mirror, theSunday Times and Daily Financial Times (Daily FT) cater to an English-speaking readership.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


32.41%

Private

National

Paid Content

Wijeya Newspapers Limited




282 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureThe Wijewardene family is the majority of shareholder of Wijeya NewspapersLimited. Ranjit Wijewardene, Sujan Wijewardene, Ruwan Wijewardene, IrushiNeela Bulathsinhala and Ranjini Wijewardene collectively own 99.98 percentof the company. Meanwhile, Sarathi Limited, a company affiliated with theWijeya Group of Companies, also holds shares at Wijeya Newspapers Limited.Besides members of the Wijewardene family, Anandi Balasingham owns alesser percentage of shares at Wijeya Newspapers Limited. However, AnandiBalasingham serves as the Estate Administrator for Sarathi Limited which, asstated above, is affiliated with the Wijeya Group of Companies.

Voting RightsVoting rights have been assigned based on the shares held by an individual orcompany. Therefore, the voting rights are as follows: Ranjith Wijewardena –89.99%, Sujan Wijewardene – 10%, Ruwan Wijewardene – 0.0002%, IrushiNeela Bulathsinhala – 0.0002%, Ranjini Neela Wijewardene – 0.0002%, SarathiLimited – 0.0002%, Anandi Balasingham – 0.0002%

Individual OwnerWijewardene Family 100%




283 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/wijewardene-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/wijeya-newspapers-limited/



Facts

General Information

1986 – Irida (Sunday) Lankadeepa / 1991 – Lankadeepa (daily)

Ranjit Sujiva Wijewardene, also referred to as Ranjit Wijewardene, is the sonof Sri Lankan media proprietor D.R. Wijewardene, who founded theAssociated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL, also known as Lake House)in 1926, prior to its nationalisation under Sirimavo Bandaranaike’sgovernment in 1973. Ranjit serves as the founding Chairperson and majorityshareholder of Wijeya Newspapers Limited. Although the company wasformed in 1979 under the name of Wijeya Publications Limited, it startedpublishing the weekly Irida Lankadeepa newspaper in 1986, and shortlyafterwards, the daily Lankadeepa newspaper in 1991. Ranjit also holds 0.57percent of shares at the ANCL. In addition to holding the position of aChairperson at Wijeya Newspapers Limited, Ranjith also serves as theChairperson and Managing Director at Lake House Printers & Publishers Ltd.,Chairperson at Lake House Bookshop Pvt Ltd., Chairperson at LH PlantationsPvt Ltd., Chairperson at Ranweli Holiday Village Ltd., Chairperson at SarathiLtd., Chairperson at Stamford Lake (Pvt) Ltd., Chairperson at Wijeya GraphicsPvt Ltd., and President at the Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka. Ranjith is alsoon the Board of Directors at Freudenberg & Co. (Ceylon) Ltd. and R.S. PrintekPvt Ltd.

Upali Wijewardene, the founder of Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited, is Ranjit’scousin. Meanwhile, the incumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the Leaderof the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremesinghe is Ranjit’s nephew.

Ranjit Wijeywardene married Ranjini Neela Senanayake, the granddaughter ofD.S. Senanayake who served as the first Prime Minister of Ceylon. Othernotable family members from Ranjini's family include Dudley Senanayake(uncle) the second Prime Minister of Ceylon, and Rukman Senanayake, aformer Member of Parliament. Ranjit has three children, including currentState Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, and Sujan Wijewardene, whois the Executive Director of Lake House Printers and Publishers Limited, acompany affiliated with the Wijewardene Group.

Ranjit Sujiva Wijewardene is the Chaiperson of Wijeya Newspapers Limited,the publisher of Lankadeepa. See above for more.

Founding Year

Affiliated Interests Founder

Affiliated Interests Ceo



284 / 1471



Ariyananda Dombagahawatta – is currently the Chief Editor for the weeklyIrida Lankadeepa. In addition, Ariyananda serves as a board member at theSri Lanka Press Council, a body that has been disputed by the press (LINK),which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media. In2009, members of the Free Media Movement, Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka, SriLanka Muslim Media Forum, Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance, the NewspaperSociety of Sri Lanka and the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA)collectively demanded the removal of Dombagahawatta from the council,alleging that he had been politically appointed. Dombagahawatta’s politicalaffiliations with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa have been questionedin press publications. On the other hand, Ariyananda has been recognisedwith awards in the field of journalism.

Siri Ranasinghe – the chief editor at Lankadeepa (daily) and concurrentlyserves as a Director at Wijeya Newspapers Limited as well as a Board Memberat Press Complaints Commission Sri Lanka. In addition, Siri is credited as oneof the initiators of the Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka. Siri later served as thePresident of the Editors’ Guild on numerous occasions. With regards toLankadeepa, he is accredited with resurrecting the newspaper in 1986 as IridaLankadeepa. Previously, Siri served as a journalist for Dinamina.

Premakeerthi Ranathunga – Associate Editor at Irida Lankadeepa

P.B. Elangasingha and Prasanna Sanjeewa Thennakoon – Deputy Editors atIrida Lankadeepa

Shantha Kumara Vithana – Features Editor at Irida Lankadeepa

Indrani Peiris and A.A. Lionel Perera – Associate Editors at Lankadeepa

Chandrika Wijesundara – Associated Editor at Lankadeepa

U. Hennayaka – Deputy Editor (Features) at Lankadeepa

W.G. Goonarathne – Provincial Editor at Lankadeepa

Daminda Wijesuriya – Sports Editor at Lankadeepa

Samantha Yahampath – Features Editor at Lankadeepa

Gamini Abeysekara – Pictures Editor at Lankadeepa

Affiliated Interests Editor-In-Chief

Affiliated Interests otherimportant people



285 / 1471




Further Information

Wijeya Newspapers LimitedNo.08, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 2General: +94 11 247 9479 , +94 11 231 4714Fax: +94 11 244 8323Email: [email protected]

Website: www.lankadeepa.lk

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Lankadeepa wins most popular newspaper award, Daily Mirror (2018),

Accessed on 8 August 2018

Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Pooja [Poson Light Ceremony], Daily Mirror

(2018), Accessed on 8 August 2018

Lankadeepa journalist awarded scholarship, Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed

on 8 August 2018

Lankadeepa wins most popular newspaper award, Daily Mirror (2017),


Daily Lankadeepa wins SLIM-Nielsen Peoples’ Award again, Sunday Times


Headlines



286 / 1471

mailto:[email protected]

http://http//www.lankadeepa.lk

http://www.lankadeepa.lk/

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Lankadeepa-wins-most-popular-newspaper-award-147066.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Lankadeepa-Poson-Aloka-Pooja-151917.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Lankadeepa-journalist-awarded-scholarship--145043.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Lankadeepa-wins-most-popular-newspaper-award-125307.html

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160327/news/daily-lankadeepa-wins-slim-nielsen-peoples-award-again-187895.html



Lankadeepa gives boost to new writers, Sunday Times (2011), Accessed on

8 August 2018

Lankadeepa correspondent lodges complaint that police obstructed her

from carrying out her duty, Sunday Times (2017), Accessed on 8 August

2018

Lankadeepa Caught Lying: “Sniffer Dog Visiting Shop Owner”, Colombo

Telegraph (2014), Accessed on 8 August 2018

Ranil-loyalists in ‘Lankadeepa’ sacked!, Sri Lanka Mirror (2017), Accessed

on 8 August 2018

Sara Demands Apology From Lankadeepa; Denies CBK – Sunethra –

Special Canadian Rep Meeting Story, Colombo Telegraph (2013), Accessed

on 8 August 2018

The official websites of Lankadeepa and Wijeya Newspapers Limited do notprovide any details about its founder, board of directors or its organisationalstructure. As such, publicly available secondary sources were referenced.Although, many publicly available secondary sources provide adequateinformation on the newspaper, in certain instances the information gatheredwas conflicting. For instance, the official designation of Sujan Wijewardene isstated in three different forms as Deputy Chairman, CEO and Director atWijeya Newspapers Limited. #While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reached out to WijeyaNewspapers Limited by formally requesting for the company’s information on20 July 2018, the company responded to the aforementioned request on 17August 2018. From the response received, the team was unable to use themarket share provided (75%) as the team did not have access to the figuresused to arrive at this percentage. However, information on the organisationalstructure was cited from the response provided by the company as well asfrom the Department of Registrar of Companies. Readership data wasobtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year2017.

Official website of Lankadeepa News, Accessed 10 August 2018

Facebook page of Lankadeepa News, Accessed 10 August 2018

Official website of Wijeya Newspapers, Accessed 10 August 2018

Meta Data

Sources



287 / 1471

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110703/Plus/plus_09.html

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/171210/news/lankadeepa-correspondent-lodges-complaint-that-police-obstructed-her-from-carrying-out-her-duty-272491.html

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/lankadeepa-caught-lying-sniffer-dog-visiting-shop-owner/

https://srilankamirror.com/news/1783-ranil-loyalists-in-lankadeepa-sacked

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sara-demands-apology-from-lankadeepa-denies-cbk-sunethra-special-canadian-rep-meeting-story/


https://www.facebook.com/lankadeepa/

http://www.wijeyanewspapers.lk/



Comparison of Father and Focus on Ranjith Wijewardene, Lankaweb

(2015), Accessed 10 August 2018

The State Minister of Defence Sri Lanka, Accessed 10 August 2018

77th Death Anniversary of Mrs. Helena Wijewardene of Sedawatte

Walawwa, The Island (2017), Accessed 10 August 2018

Inaugural Wijewardene family get-together, The Island (2012), Accessed 10

August 2018

The Senanayakes Official Website, Accessed 10 August 2018

Key People, Lake House Printed and Publishers: Wall Street Journal,

Accessed 10 August 2018

Siri Ranasinghe new president of Editors’ Guild, Sunday Times (2012),


Siri Ranasinghe new president of Editors’ Guild, Press Complaints

Commission of Sri Lanka, Accessed 10 August 2018

Official website of Press Complaints Commission Sri Lanka, Accessed 10

August 2018

Chairman and Board Members: Sri Lanka Press Council, Accessed 10

August 2018

Media associations decide not to nominate a representative to the PC,

Transparency International Sri Lanka (2009), Accessed 10 August 2018

Peoples Awards, Accessed 10 August 2018.

Guide to Media 2017

Chatting Sri Lanka: Powerful Communications in Colonial Times

Documents



288 / 1471

https://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2015/11/03/a-comparison-of-father-and-son-focus-on-ranjith-wijewardene-part-3/

http://www.defence.lk/main_abt.asp?fname=State%20Minister

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=174814


https://www.senanayakefamily.org/

https://quotes.wsj.com/LK/XCOL/LPRTN/company-people/executive-profile/13989109

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120219/News/nws_10.html

http://www.pccsl.lk/about-us

http://www.pccsl.lk/

http://slpc.lk/about-us/chairman-board-members.html

http://www.tisrilanka.org/media-associations-decide-not-to-nominate-a-representative-to-the-pc/

http://peoplesawards.lk/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5917&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=d8f6fa0e10309689342228c07d6ad3a7

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5918&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=cf1f32d3f5064eb6b95daf50d36e975e



AdaAda is a Sinhala language daily newspaper that covers a wide rangeof news categories including, local, international, religious, sports,technology and business. It is part of Wijeya Newspapers Limited.Ada shares Vijey, Daily Mirror, the Sunday Times, Daily FinancialTimes (Daily FT) as some of its sister publications.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


1.19%

Private

National

Paid Content





289 / 1471




Ownership


Voting RightsVoting rights have been assigned based on the shares held by an individual orcompany. Therefore, the voting rights are as follows: Ranjith Wijewardena –89.99%, Sujan Wijewardene – 10%, Ruwan Wijewardene – 0.0002%, IrushiNeela Bulathsinhala – 0.0002%, Ranjini Neela Wijewardene – 0.0002%, SarathiLimited – 0.0002%, Anandi Balasingham – 0.0002%.





290 / 1471






Facts

General Information

2012





Founding Year





291 / 1471




Further Information

Kanchana Dassanayake is the current Chief Editor of the Ada newspaper. Hehas served in this position from the inception of the newspaper in 2012. Inaddition to this, he is also part of the Welfare Society of Wijeya Newspapers.

Ruwan Wijewardene, also referred to as Ruwan Wijewardene, serves as thecurrent State Minister of Defence for the Government of Sri Lanka and owns0.002 percent of shares at WNL. In addition to his ministerial portfolio, heserves as a Consultant and Personal Assistant to the Chairperson of WNL.

Wijeya Newspapers LimitedNo. 08, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 2General: +94 11 247 9479, +94 11 231 4714Fax: +94 11 244 8323Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ada.lk



Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Ada out from today by the Daily Mirror (2012), Accessed on 17 September

2018

Headlines



292 / 1471


http://http//www.ada.lk/

http://www.ada.lk/

https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20120102/291636870926390



The official websites of Ada and Wijeya Newspapers Limited do not provideany details about its founder, board of directors or its organisationalstructure. As such, publicly available secondary sources were referenced.While many publicly available secondary sources provided adequateinformation on the newspaper, in certain instances the information gatheredwas conflicting. For instance, the official designation of Sujan Wijewardenewas stated in three different forms as Deputy Chairman, CEO and Director ofWijeya Newspapers Limited. Moreover, there was minimal information on theaffiliated interests of other important people.While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reached out to WijeyaNewspapers Limited by formally requesting for the company’s information on20 July 2018, the company responded to the aforementioned request on 17August 2018. From the response received, the team was unable to use themarket share percentage provided (75%) as the team did not have access tothe figures used to arrive at this percentage. However, information on theorganisational structure was cited from the response provided by thecompany as well as from the Department of Registrar of Companies.Readership data was obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market ResearchBureau (LMRB) for the year 2017.

Official website of Ada News, Accessed on 17 September 2018

Official Facebook site of Ada News, Accessed on 17 September 2018

Official website of Wijeya Newspapers, Accessed on 10 August 2018

The State Minister of Defence Sri Lanka, Accessed on 10 August 2018


Walawwa by The Island (2017), Accessed on 10 August 2018

Inaugural Wijewardene family get-together by The Island (2012), Accessed

on 10 August 2018

Official website of The Senanayakes, Accessed on 10 August 2018

Lake House Printed and Publishers by The Wall Street Journal, Accessed

on 10 August 2018

Guide to Media 2017

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



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http://www.ada.lk/

https://www.facebook.com/ada.daily/?ref=br_rs













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The Sunday TimesThe Sunday Times is a weekly newspaper published in English,consisting of five supplementary publications, namely, the TV Times,Funday Times, Mirror Magazine, Hit Ad and ST Appointments. It wasfirst published in 1997 by Wijeya Newspapers Limited, which alsoproduces several English language publications such as the DailyMirror and Daily Financial Times (Daily FT). The organisation’sSinhala language publications includes Lankadeepa, Irida (Sunday)Lankadeepa and Tharunaya. Meanwhile, its Tamil languagepublications includes the Tamil Mirror, daily and weekend Financial Times as well as Wijeya. The Sunday Timeshas an audience share of 1.27 percent, whereas its daily edition Daily Mirror has 0.55 percent audience share.

In addition to being the founder of Wijeya Newspapers Limited, Ranjit Wijewardene is the Chairperson andManaging Director of the organisation. Together with Upali Newspapers Limited that was founded by UpaliWijewardene, Wijeya Newspapers Limited has occupied a significant space in Sri Lankan print media.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


0.82%

Private

National

Paid Content





295 / 1471




Ownership







296 / 1471






Facts

General Information

1996





Founding Year





297 / 1471




Further Information

Sinha Ranatunga is the Editor-in-Chief of the Sunday Times newspaper

Parakrama Sujan Wijewardane, – also referred to as Sujan Wijewardene,serves as the Deputy Chairperson at WNL and owns 10 percent of the sharesin the company.

Dinendra Ruwan Wijewardene, – also referred to as Ruwan Wijewardene isSujan’s brother and serves as the current State Minister of Defence for theGovernment of Sri Lanka and owns 0.002 percent of shares at WNL. Inaddition to his ministerial portfolio, he serves as a Consultant and PersonalAssistant to the Chairperson of WNL.

Wijeya Newspapers LimitedNo. 08, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 2Editor (Print) contact: +94 112 331276Timesonline team contact: +94 112479341Email: [email protected] , [email protected]

Website: www.sundaytimes.lk



Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Illegal fishing: The Sunday Times invokes RTI law to get to the bottom by

the Right to Information Sri Lanka, Accessed on 7 September 2018

Headlines



298 / 1471



http://http//www.sundaytimes.lk/

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/

https://www.rti.gov.lk/media/news/133-illegal-fishing-the-sunday-times-invokes-rti-law-to-get-to-the-bottom



Five more senior journalists to be honoured this year by The Island,

Accessed on 7 September 2018

The founding year of the Sunday Times was taken from the outlet’s Facebookpage. Meanwhile, the official website of the Sunday Times functions only as anews portal. Information on the outlet and key people was thereforeobtained from secondary sources. While the Media Ownership Monitorresearch team reached out to Wijeya Newspapers Limited by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, the companyresponded to the aforementioned request on 17 August 2018. From theresponse received, the team was unable to use the market share percentageprovided (75%) as the team did not have access to the figures used to arriveat this percentage. However, information on the organisational structure wascited from the response provided by the company as well as from theDepartment of Registrar of Companies. Readership data was obtained fromthe Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017.


Official website of the Sunday Times, Accessed on 10 August 2018

Magnetic Spell of a press magnete by the Daily News (2016), Accessed on

10 August 2018

Official Facebook page of the Sunday Times, Accessed on 10 August 2018

The State Minister of Defence Sri Lanka, Accessed on 10 August 2018


on 10 August 2018

Lake House Printed and Publishers by The Wall Street Journal, Accessed

on 10 August 2018

Prairie Awards to Wijewardene Clan For Fostering Sri Lankan Journalism,

Focus on Ranjith S. Wijewardene (Part 1) by Colombo Telegraph (2015),


Meta Data

Sources



299 / 1471


http://www.wijeyanewspapers.lk/index.html

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/

http://www.dailynews.lk/2016/02/23/features/magnetic-spell-press-magnate

https://www.facebook.com/pg/TimesOnlinelk/about/?ref=page_internal




https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/prairie-awards-to-wijewardene-clan-for-fostering-lankan-journalism/



Prairie Awards to Wijewardene Clan For Fostering Sri Lankan journalism;

Downs and ups of the Wijewardenes (Part 2) by Colombo Telegraph


Prairie awards to Wijewardene clan for fostering Sri Lankan Journalism; A

Comparison Of Father and Son (Part 3) by Colombo Telegraph (2015),


Guide to Media 2017


Documents



300 / 1471

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/downs-ups-of-the-wijewardenes/

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/a-comparison-of-father-son/





Lankadeepa OnlineLankadeepa Online is a Sinhala language news site that is operatedby one of the largest publishing houses in the country, WijeyaNewspapers Limited. Several news items that are published in theprint editions of the weekly and daily Lankadeepa newspapers arereplicated on the online site. The site therefore differs from the e-paper which requires a subscription fee to access the content.Lankadeepa Online provides content under several themesincluding politics, economics, business, sports and entertainment.There is no data on online readership of Lankadeepa.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

Private

International

Free Content





301 / 1471




Ownership







302 / 1471






Facts

General Information

Missing Data

Lankadeepa Online was founded under Wijeya Newspapers Limited, whichwas founded by Ranjit Wijewardene. Ranjit Wijewardene, also referred to asRanjit Wijewardene, is the son of Sri Lankan media proprietor D.R.Wijewardene, who founded the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited(ANCL, also known as Lake House) in 1926, prior to its nationalisation underSirimavo Bandaranaike’s government in 1973. Ranjit serves as the foundingChairperson and majority shareholder of Wijeya Newspapers Limited.Although the company was formed in 1979 under the name of WijeyaPublications Limited, it started publishing the weekly Irida Lankadeepanewspaper in 1986, and shortly afterwards, the daily Lankadeepa newspaperin 1991. Ranjit also holds 0.57 percent of shares at the ANCL. In addition toholding the position of a Chairperson at Wijeya Newspapers Limited, Ranjithalso serves as the Chairperson and Managing Director at Lake House Printers& Publishers Ltd., Chairperson at Lake House Bookshop Pvt Ltd., Chairpersonat LH Plantations Pvt Ltd., Chairperson at Ranweli Holiday Village Ltd.,Chairperson at Sarathi Ltd., Chairperson at Stamford Lake (Pvt) Ltd.,Chairperson at Wijeya Graphics Pvt Ltd., and President at the NewspaperSociety of Sri Lanka. Ranjith is also on the Board of Directors at Freudenberg& Co. (Ceylon) Ltd. and R.S. Printek Pvt Ltd.

Ranjit Sujiva Wijewardene is the Chaiperson of Wijeya Newspapers Limited,the publisher of Lankadeepa Online. See above for more.

Ariyananda Dombagahawatta – is currently the Chief Editor for the weeklyIrida Lankadeepa. In addition, Ariyananda serves as a board member at theSri Lanka Press Council, a body that has been disputed by the press (LINK),which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media. In2009, members of the Free Media Movement, Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka, SriLanka Muslim Media Forum, Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance, the NewspaperSociety of Sri Lanka and the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA)collectively demanded the removal of Dombagahawatta from the council,alleging that he had been politically appointed. Dombagahawatta’s politicalaffiliations with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa have been questionedin press publications. On the other hand, Ariyananda has been recognisedwith awards in the field of journalism.

Founding Year






303 / 1471




Siri Ranasinghe – is the Chief Editor at the daily Lankadeepa and concurrentlyserves as a Director at Wijeya Newspapers Limited. He is also a member ofthe board at the Press Complaints Commission Sri Lanka (PCCL). In addition,Siri is considered to be an initiator of the Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka. As per hisrole in Lankadeepa, he is accredited with resurrecting the newspaper in 1986as Irida Lankadeepa. Previously Siri served as a journalist for the state-ownedDinamina newspaper.

Premakeerthi Ranathunga – Associate Editor at Irida Lankadeepa

P.B. Elangasingha and Prasanna Sanjeewa Thennakoon – Deputy Editors atIrida Lankadeepa

Shantha Kumara Vithana – Features Editor at Irida Lankadeepa

Indrani Peiris and A.A. Lionel Perera – Associate Editors at Lankadeepa

Chandrika Wijesundara – Associated Editor at Lankadeepa

U. Hennayaka – Deputy Editor (Features) at Lankadeepa

W.G. Goonarathne – Provincial Editor at Lankadeepa

Daminda Wijesuriya – Sports Editor at Lankadeepa

Samantha Yahampath – Features Editor at Lankadeepa

Gamini Abeysekara – Pictures Editor at Lankadeepa

Wijeya Newspapers LimitedNo.08, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka.General: +94 11 247 9479 , +94 11 231 4714Fax: +94 11 244 8323Email: [email protected]

Website: www.lankadeepa.lk


Contact



304 / 1471


http://http//www.lankadeepa.lk




Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Wijeya Newspapers launches first-ever breaking news Apps for Daily

Mirror and Lankadeepa by the Daily FT (2011), Accessed on 30 September

2018

Lankadeepa does it again by the Sunday Times (2008), Accessed on 30

September 2018

Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Pooja [Poson Light Ceremony] by Daily Mirror


Lankadeepa journalist awarded scholarship by Daily Mirror (2018),


??????? ????? ??????????? ???? ???? (Lankadeepa Journalist Listens to

Jeyakumari's case) by Sri Lanka Brief (2015), Accessed on 30 September

2018

Headlines



305 / 1471

http://www.ft.lk/it-telecom-tech/wijeya-newspapers-launches-first-ever-breaking-news-apps-for-daily-mirror-and-lankadeepa/50-58757

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/081012/News/sundaytimesnews_05.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Lankadeepa-Poson-Aloka-Pooja-151917.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Lankadeepa-journalist-awarded-scholarship--145043.html

http://sinhala.srilankabrief.org/2015/03/%E0%B6%BD%E0%B6%82%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%AF%E0%B7%93%E0%B6%B4-%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%98-%E0%B6%A2%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%BA%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%9C/



Information on the thematic content of Lankadeepa Online was documenteddirectly from the respective website. However, Lankadeepa Online and theofficial website of Wijeya Newspapers Limited do not provide details about itsfounder, board of directors or its organisational structure. As such, publiclyavailable secondary sources were referenced to obtain the aforementionedinformation. While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reached outto Wijeya Newspapers Limited by formally requesting for the company’sinformation on 20 July 2018, the company responded to the aforementionedrequest on 17 August 2018. From the response received, the team referencedthis document for information on the organisational structure. Shareholderdetails were gathered from the Department of Registrar of Companies.

Official website of Lankadeepa News, Accessed 10 August 2018

Facebook page of Lankadeepa News, Accessed 10 August 2018

Official website of Wijeya Newspapers, Accessed 10 August 2018

Comparison of Father and Focus on Ranjith Wijewardene, Lankaweb


The State Minister of Defence Sri Lanka, Accessed 10 August 2018


Walawwa, The Island (2017), Accessed 10 August 2018

Inaugural Wijewardene family get-together, The Island (2012), Accessed 10

August 2018

The Senanayakes Official Website, Accessed 10 August 2018

Key People, Lake House Printed and Publishers: Wall Street Journal,


Siri Ranasinghe new president of Editors’ Guild, Sunday Times (2012),


Siri Ranasinghe new president of Editors’ Guild, Press Complaints

Commission of Sri Lanka, Accessed 10 August 2018

Meta Data

Sources



306 / 1471


https://www.facebook.com/lankadeepa/


https://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2015/11/03/a-comparison-of-father-and-son-focus-on-ranjith-wijewardene-part-3/






http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120219/News/nws_10.html

http://www.pccsl.lk/about-us



Official website of Press Complaints Commission Sri Lanka, Accessed 10

August 2018

Chairman and Board Members: Sri Lanka Press Council, Accessed 10

August 2018

Media associations decide not to nominate a representative to the PC,

Transparency International Sri Lanka (2009), Accessed 10 August 2018

Peoples Awards, Accessed 10 August 2018.

Guide to Media 2017


Documents



307 / 1471

http://www.pccsl.lk/

http://slpc.lk/about-us/chairman-board-members.html

http://www.tisrilanka.org/media-associations-decide-not-to-nominate-a-representative-to-the-pc/






DivainaThe Sinhala language weekly and daily Divaina newspapers arepublished under Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited. The daily Island,Sunday Island, Vidusara and Navaliya function as Divaina's sisterpublications. Divaina publishes news under the themes of domesticpolitics, foreign news, sports and entertainment. Divaina weeklyreaches 6.88 percent of the readers whereas Divaina daily has areadership of 1.25 percent. Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited wasfounded by Upali Wijeywardene and is currently managed by Nimal Welgama, who serves as the ManagingDirector.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


8.13%

Private

National

Paid content

Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited




308 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership Structure99.99 percent of Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited is owned by Upali InvestmentHoldings Limited while the remaining 0.01 percent is owned by an individualnamed Murugiah Ramalingam. Presently, Upali Investment Holdings Limitedis managed by the Welgama family. Lakmani Welgama owns 90.52 percent ofthe company, while her husband and current Managing Director of UpaliNewspapers (Pvt) Limited Nimal Welgama owns 2.74 percent. In total, theWelgama family own 94 % of the company. Due to the majority ownership ofthe company, the Welgama family has majority control on the activities ofUpali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited. The remaining 6% of the company is ownedby 102 minority shareholders.


Individual OwnerWelgama Family 94%

Group / Individual OwnerOthersWhile the Welgama family owns 94 percent of shares at Upali Newspapers(Pvt) Limited, through Upali Investment Holdings Limited 102 other minorityshareholders own 6 percent of Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited.

6%



309 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/welgama-family/






Facts

General Information

1981 – Irida (Sunday) Divaina Sangrahaya / 1982 – Divaina daily newspaper

Upali Wijewardene founded Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited in 1978. In 1981,the company launched the Sunday editions of the Divaina and The Island.Upali’s family has a long history of being closely affiliated with the print mediain the country. For instance, Upali’s cousin Ranjit Wijewardene foundedWijeya Newspapers Limited and serves as the current Chairperson. In 1983,Upali Wijewardene was legally declared deceased when his private jetdisappeared on a home-bound flight from Malaysia, shortly after take-off.

Nimal Welgama is the current Managing Director of Upali Newspapers (Pvt)Limited. Nimal is married to Lakmani Welgama (nee Ratwatte), widow of UpaliWijewardene. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Seevali Ratwatte, who servedas the Chairperson of the Upali Group of newspapers. Nimal Welgama'sbrother Kumara Welgama is a Member of the Parliament with the UnitedPeople's Freedom Alliance (UPFA).

Founding Year





310 / 1471

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Further Information

Wasantha Liyanage – became the Editor-In-Chief of the daily Divainanewspaper after the resignation of Jayantha Chandrasiri. Wasantha Liyanage'sbrother, Lal Liyanage, currently serves as the Distribution Manager of Divaina.Concurrently, Wasantha Liyanage is part of the Executive Committee of SriLanka Press Association (SLPA).

Anura Solomons – is a journalist who was appointed as the Editor-In-Chief ofthe weekly Sunday Divaina newspaper. He served as the Presidential Advisorfor Conflict Resolution under the former Rajapaksa government.

Manoj Abeydeera – is the Deputy Editor of the weekly Sunday Divaninanewspaper

Hemantha Randunu – is the Deputy Editor of the weekly Divanina newspaper

Divaina NewspapersNo. 223, Bloemendhal Road, Colombo 13Email: [email protected]

Tel: +94 11 249 9750, +94 11 234 5243Website: divaina.com/daily/



Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Divaina senior journalist Shyam Nuwan Ganewatta presents by the Daily

FT (2012), Accessed on 20 September 2018

Headlines



311 / 1471


http://http//divaina.com/daily/

http://divaina.com/daily/

http://www.ft.lk/article/115369/Divaina-senior-journalist-Shyam-Nuwan-Ganewatta-presents



CID arrests Divaina journalist Saman Gamage, Daily Mirror (2018),


The official website of the Divaina newspaper does not provide any detailsabout its founder, board of directors or its organisational structure.Moreover, Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited does not have an official website.As such, publicly available secondary sources were referenced. Informationon the shareholders was gathered through the annual returns available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies. The most recently available data onownership and the board of directors was for the year 2017. Readership datawas obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for theyear 2017. While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reached out toUpali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited by formally requesting for the company’sinformation on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request.

Upali Wijewardene the colossus by the Daily News (2016), Accessed on 20

September 2018

Phillip Upali Wijewardene a native son whose vision embraced the world

by The Island (2016), Accessed on 20 September 2018

Malaysian plane revives memories of Upali Wijewardene who disappeared

by News First (2014), Accessed on 20 September 2018

Rajapaksa era culture and ethos, EPF scams helped Sri Lanka bond frauds:

Commission by Economy Next (2018), Accessed on 20 September 2018

Death of Dr. Seevali Ratwatte by The Island (2014), Accessed on 20

September 2018

Welgama brothers to spend Rs. 5 mn for Mirisawetiya Bodhiya by The

Island (2011), Accessed on 20 September 2018

Member of Parliament profile of Kumara Welgama by the Parliament of

Sri Lanka, Accessed on 20 September 2018

???????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? (Nimal Welgama the new chairman of

Telecom) by Divaina (2010), Accessed on 20 September 2018

Meta Data

Sources



312 / 1471

http://www.dailymirror.lk/149787/CID-arrests-Divaina-journalist-Saman-Gamage

http://www.dailynews.lk/2016/02/12/features/upali-wijewardene-colossus


https://www.newsfirst.lk/2014/03/12/malaysian-plane-mh370-revives-memories-mysteriously-disappeared-lankan-baron-upali-wijewardena/24948/

https://economynext.com/Rajapaksa_era_culture_and_ethos,_EPF_scams_helped_Sri_Lanka_bond_frauds__Commission-3-9599-.html



http://www.parliament.lk/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/viewMember/182

http://www.divaina.com/2010/05/19/news03.html



Sri Lanka Press Association ExCo 2018 /2019 by the Daily News (2018),


Laughing Shot by the Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed on 20 September 2018

The need for a properly constituted Monetary Board for the Central Bank

of Sri Lanka by the Daily FT (2016), Accessed on 20 September 2018

How Public Funds Wasted On Presidential Advisers by Sri Lanka Brief

(2015), Accessed on 20 September 2018

????? ???????? ??? ??? ????????? ???????? (Cannot take our journey forward

with insults) by Divaina (2016), Accessed on 20 September 2018

'??????' ??????? ????? ?? ?? ‍?? ?????? ???????? ???? (Divaina Julius Caesar and Sri

Lanka’s press culture) by Divaina (2013), Accessed on 20 September 2018

?????? ???? ‍? ?????????? ?? ????? ???????? ?????? ??????? (Dr. Seevali Ratwatte,

the efficient media administrator) by Divaina ( 2014), Accessed on 20

September 2018

Guide to Media 2017


Documents



313 / 1471

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/03/12/local/145215/sri-lanka-press-association-exco-2018-2019?page=44

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Laughing-Shot-150405.html

http://www.ft.lk/article/552521/The-need-for-a-properly-constituted-Monetary-Board-for-the-Central-Bank-of-Sri-Lanka

http://srilankabrief.org/2015/02/how-public-funds-wasted-on-presidential-advisers/


http://www.divaina.com/2013/10/06/feature11.html






Neth FMFounded in 2005, Neth FM is a Sinhala language radio station thatfeatures a range of programmes including news segments, talkshows and religious sermons. It is operated by ASSET RadioBroadcasting (Pvt) Limited, which is owned by Nihal SeneviratneEpa. Neth FM has an audience share of 12.66% according to the2017 national survey by Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau(LMRB).

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


12.66%

Private

National

Free to air

ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limited




314 / 1471



ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt)Limited

Ownership

Ownership StructureThe total amount of ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limited's shares areowned by Nihal Seneviratne Epa (38.67%) and EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited(61.33%). Nihal is also the sole shareholder of EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited.

Voting RightsShareholders holding more than 10 percent of shares are entitled to vote.

Individual OwnerNihal Seneviratne Epa 100%


Facts

General Information



315 / 1471

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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/asset-radio-broadcasting-pvt-limited/




2005

Missing Data

Asanga Priyantha Jayasooriya

Asanga Priyantha Jayasooriya- is the current CEO and a Director at ASSETRadio Broadcasting Company (Pvt) Limited. He is the Vice Chairperson of SriLanka Electronic Media Broadcasters’ Grid (SLEMBG).

Charith Suddathchari – Assistant Director for News and Current Affairs

Nihal Seneviratne Epa

Nihal Seneviratne Epa is the Chairperson, as well as a Director andshareholder at ASSET Radio Broadcasting Company (Pvt) Limited, where EPAHoldings (Pvt) Limited is the only other shareholder. He is also the onlyDirector and shareholder of EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited. He owns 38.67percent of individual shares at ASSET Radio Broadcasting Company (Pvt)Limited while EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited owns 61.33 percent of shares.However, Nihal is the sole shareholder of EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited. As such,he remains the overall owner of ASSET Radio Broadcasting Company (Pvt)Limited. In 2011, Nihal and Milroy Pieris, a Director of Neth FM, werereportedly legally challenged by Lak Asia Holdings (Pvt) Limited and SankaKanchana Wasala Liyanage for preventing them from becoming Directors inASSET Radio Broadcasting Company (Pvt) Limited. Nihal Seneviratne Epa alsoauthored a book on Sri Lankan foreign policy. He is a member of the Chamberof Young Lankan Entrepreneurs.

ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limited11B Ocean Tower Building, Station Road, Bambalapitya, Colombo 04News line: (+94) 112507078General: (+94) 115347347Email: [email protected]

Website: nethfm.lk

Founding Year


Ceo





Contact



316 / 1471


http://nethfm.lk/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Neth FM excels by the Sunday Times (2014), Accessed on 18 August 2018

Unethical media practices by Neth FM by Groundviews (2016), Accessed

on 18 August 2018

The official website of Neth FM does not provide sufficient information aboutthe channel’s ownership. Meanwhile, secondary sources also remaininadequate to determine both the founder and details related to theownership of the outlet. As such, shareholder details were gathered throughthe annual returns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies.The most recently available data for ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limitedand EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited was from the year 2017. Listenership data wasobtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year2017 (January- November). While the Media Ownership Monitor researchteam reached out to ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limited by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 25 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request.

Official website of Neth FM, Accessed on 19 August 2018

Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs profile on Nihal Seneviratne

Epa, Accessed on 19 August 2018

Sri Lanka's Dialog Telekom moves into television services by Lanka

Business Online (2006), Accessed on 18 August 2018

Standing Apart by Business Today (2018), Accessed on 18 August 2018

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources



317 / 1471

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/141228/magazine/neth-fm-excels-128437.html

https://groundviews.org/2016/07/14/unethical-media-practices-by-neth-fm/

https://nethfm.lk/

http://coyle.lk/portfolio/mr-nihal-seneviratne-epa/

http://ftp.lankabusinessonline.com/news/sri-lankas-dialog-telekom-moves-into-television-services/1019944875

http://www.businesstoday.lk/article.php?article=5628



Asset Radio’s Rights Issue blocked by Court by the Daily FT (2011),




318 / 1471

http://www.ft.lk/article/23426/Www.aquavista.lk



Sirasa TVSinhala language channel Sirasa TV launched in 1998 under MTVChannel (Pvt) Limited, the first private TV station to maintain itsoperation in Sri Lanka. The company is part of one of Sri Lanka’slargest conglomerates, The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.English language channel MTV, now known as TV 1, and TamilLanguage channel Shakthi TV, are Sirasa TV’s sister channels.

Since its early entry into the TV industry, Sirasa TV has featured awide range of programmes including, news, talk shows, teledramasand well-known reality shows such as Sri Lanka’s Got Talent. In2004, it was among key media outlets owned by Capital Maharajathat covered the Olympic Games for the first time in Sri Lanka.Sirasa TV has an audience share of 15.4 percent.

During the height of the war, in early 2009, the premises of the MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and MBC Networks(Pvt) Limited were attacked by armed men who had reportedly held the staff at gunpoint and destroyed themain control room. Groundviews, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Freedom House and Reporters WithoutBorders (RSF) considered the attack to be led by a government affiliated group. Former Secretary of DefenseGotabaya Rajapaksa however refuted such allegations levelled against the state.

In 2013, the incumbent Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera filed a court case againstthe Chairperson of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited, R. Rajamahendran, reportedly on the groundsthat the latter’s media coverage of a communal clash in Matara was inciting members of the United NationalParty (UNP). However, the Matara Magistrate Court dismissed the case.

The premises of MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited were also reportedly attacked bythe use of firecrackers in April 2018, allegedly following the defeat of the No Confidence Motion broughtagainst the incumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe.



319 / 1471



Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


15.4%

Private

National

Free-to-air terrestrial

The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited




320 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureMTV Channel (Pvt) Limited is a subsidiary of one of Sri Lanka's largestconglomerates, The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited. The CapitalMaharaja and its subsidiary companies have complex ownership structures.As per the structure of MTV Channels (Pvt) Limited, 10 companies own sharesin the company. These are: MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited (35.34%), Vision Link(Pvt) Limited (20.83%), S-Lon Industrial Plastics (14.48%), Capital Holdings(12.95%), Jones Overseas (Pvt) Limited (5.45%), Stradbroke INV (Pvt) Limited(3.80%), Business Investments (Pvt) Limited (3.40%), The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited (2.27%), Jones Land (Pvt) Limited (1.29%) and DawsonCapital (Pvt) Limited (0.16%). In turn, all of these companies appear asshareholders in their ownership structures, each part- owning the other.

For example, MBC Networks is owned by Capital Holdings (94.56%) and VisionLink (5.43%). However, Vision Link is owned by Jones Overseas (71.13%) andCapital Holdings (28.6%). Meanwhile, Jones Overseas is also owned by CapitalHoldings (43.66%), Harrisons Colombo Limited (36.42%), The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited (19.92%) and R. Rajamahendran (0.00003%); HarrisonsColombo Limited is owned by S-Lon Lanka (99.99%); S-Lon Lanka is owned byVision Link (53.46%) and S-Lon Industrial Plastics (46.50%); S-Lon IndustrialPlastics is owned by Vision Link (84.2%) and Capital Holdings (15.79%). In total,18 companies within the Maharaja Organisation were researched. All of thesecompanies have Capital Holdings as a shareholder at some level in theirownership structures. Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited is directly owned by theRajamahendrans, i.e. Rajandram Rajamahendran (79.95%) and his sonSashidharan Rajamahendran (20.05%). The calculations of shares indicatethat the Rajamahendran family has overall ownership over all thesecompanies.


Individual OwnerRajamahendran Family 100%



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The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited


Facts

General Information

1998

Rajandram Maharaja and Rajandram Rajamahendran are the founders ofSirasa TV, and the sons of Sinnathamby Rajandram, one of the founders ofThe Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited. Rajandram Maharaja was marriedto Padma Maharaja, an enterprising figure who had her own fashion labelcalled 'Vati' and also served on the board of Hilton Hotel. She passed away in2016. Rajandram Rajamahendran is married to Cannice Rajamahendran. Sheis the CEO of Rumours salon, a company under the organisation. While bothbrothers took over the organisation, Rajandram Maharaja eventually retired.In 2018, Rajandram Rajamahendran's son, Sashidharan Rajamahendran, wasappointed as Managing Director of the organisation. Meanwhile,Rajamahendran's daughter, Anjali Rajamahendran, is a Group Director in theorganisation. Pradeep Maharaja, the son of Rajandram Maharaja and PadmaMaharaja, is also a Group Director in the organisation. In 2015, Pradeep wasappointed to the board of directors at the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka (MBSL).

Founding Year




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Further Information

Susara Dinal – serves as the CEO of MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited. Previously, heheld the post of Channel Head at Sirasa TV. He also contested for the WesternProvincial Council Polls from the Gampaha District in 2014.

Missing Data

Nedra Weerasinghe – Heads Capital Maharaja's media divisions, the MTVChannel and MBC Networks. She is a Group Director in the organisation.Previously, she headed the group's two GSA airline operations, namely,Northwest Airlines and Royal Jordanian. Additionally, she has headed CapitalMaharaja's commercially successful pipe manufacturing entity, S-Lon Lanka.

MBC/ MTV Channels (Pvt) Ltd.45/3, Braybrook Place, Colombo-02Tel : +94112851371Website: sirasatv.lk




Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Sirasa investigations 'flawed' (2009), Accessed on 1 August 2018

Ranil says Sirasa TV Violated His Rights and Privileges as PM, Asian Mirror

(2015), Accessed on 26 July 2018

Headlines



323 / 1471

http://http//sirasatv.lk

http://sirasatv.lk/

https://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2009/01/090119_sirasa_court.shtml

http://www.asianmirror.lk/news/item/7306-ranil-says-sirasa-tv-violated-his-rights-and-privileges-as-pm



Sirasa And Killy Ridiculed, Condemned And Criticized For Manipulating

Political Crisis (2018), Accessed on 28 July 2018

Time given by Sirasa to Ranil ends: attack begins (2014), Accessed on 28

July 2018

The official websites of Sirasa TV and The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited do not provide sufficient information about the channel’s ownership.Meanwhile, secondary sources also remain inadequate to determine both thefounder and details related to the ownership of the outlet. As such,shareholder details were gathered through the annual returns available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies. The most recently available data forMTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and the Capital Maharaja Organisation is from theyear 2017. Viewership data was obtained from the Kantar Lanka MarketResearch Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017. The address of Sirasa TV, as per itsofficial website, is listed in Pannipitiya. However, reports covering the recentattack in April 2018 on the channel’s premises lists the address as BaybrookePlace. While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reached out to TheCapital Maharaja Organisation Limited by formally requesting for thecompany’s information on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request.

Sirasa TV official website, Accessed on 26 July 2018

Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited official website, Accessed on 31 July

2018

Gunmen raid Sri Lanka TV station, by BBC News – Asia (2009) Accessed on

26 July 2018

Comprehensive coverage of Olympics - MBC/MTV by Daily News (2004),

Accessed on 26 July 2018

Sirasa attack an ‘inside job’ by BBC News – Sinhala (2009), Accessed on 26

July 2018

Shashi Rajamahendran appointed Capital Maharaja MD by Daily News

(2018), Accessed on 26 July 2018

Black Knight giving Lankan cricketers extra groom and glitter by The Island


Meta Data

Sources



324 / 1471

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sirasa-and-killy-ridiculed-condemned-and-criticized-for-manipulating-political-crisis/

http://archive.srilankamirror.com/news/16676-time-given-by-sirasa-to-ranil-ends-attack-begins

http://sirasatv.lk/

http://www.capitalmaharaja.com/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7813043.stm

http://archives.dailynews.lk/2004/07/19/spo11.html

https://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2009/01/090116_gotabhaya_sirasa.shtml

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/05/21/business/151470/shashi-rajamahendran-appointed-capital-maharaja-md

http://island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=119874



LinkedIn Profile of Nedra Weerasinghe, LinkedIn, Accessed on 27 July 2018

The Legendary Padma Maharaja – Appreciation by The Island (2016),


Sagarica Delgoda heads new board of Hilton Hotel owning company by

Daily Mirror (2015), Accessed on 3 August 2018

Ravi K appoints Coordinating Secy Rahman and Pradeep Maharaja to

MBSL Board by Daily FT (2015), Accessed on 3 August 2018

Mangala’s case against MTV/MBC dismissed by Ada Derana (2013),


Court dismisses Mangala’s case against Capital Maharaja Organisation

Chairman by News First (2013), Accessed on 30 September 2018

We don’t condone attacks on media President by Daily Mirror (2018),


MTV/MBC Head Office mobbed by News First (2018), Accessed on 30

September 2018

Sirasa attack 'an inside job' by BBC Sinhala (2009), Accessed on 30

September 2018

Mob attempts to intimidate Sirasa TV in Sri Lanka by the International

Federation of Journalists (2018), Accessed on 30 September 2018

The Reckoning: Press Freedom in Sri Lanka by Groundviews (2011),


Attack on broadcaster needs independent inquiry by the Committee to

Protect Journalists (2009), Accessed on 7 September 2018

Freedom House profile on Sri Lanka (2010), Accessed on 7 September

2018



325 / 1471

https://lk.linkedin.com/in/nedra-weerasinghe-mba-049a3735

http://island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=153366

http://www.dailymirror.lk/69197/sagarica-delgoda-heads-new-board-of-hilton-hotel-owning-company

http://www.ft.lk/article/397560/Ravi-K-appoints-Coordinating-Secy-Rahman-and-Pradeep-Maharaja-to-MBSL-Board

http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=25055

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2013/12/12/case-chairman-tcmol-dismissed/

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/We-don-t-condone-attacks-on-media-President-148387.html

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/04/05/mtv-mbc-head-office-mobbed/


http://www.ifj.org/nc/news-single-view/backpid/1/article/mob-attempts-to-intimidate-sirasa-tv-in-sri-lanka/

https://groundviews.org/2011/05/19/the-reckoning-press-freedom-in-sri-lanka/

https://cpj.org/2009/01/attack-on-broadcaster-needs-independent-inquiry.php

https://freedomhouse.org/report/countries-crossroads/2010/sri-lanka



Government urged to punish violence against independent media outlets

after new attack by Reporters Without Borders (2009), Accessed on 7

September 2018

Guide to Media 2017Documents



326 / 1471

https://rsf.org/en/news/government-urged-punish-violence-against-independent-media-outlets-after-new-attack




Shakthi TVShakthi TV began broadcasting in 1998 and is the Tamil language TVchannel of MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited, which is part of one of SriLanka’s largest conglomerates, The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited. Sinhala language channel Sirasa TV, and the Sinhala andEnglish bilingual channel TV 1 are Shakthi TV's sister TV channels. Itsfeatured content includes entertainment, sports, current affairs,children’s programmes and news segments. Most of theentertainment programmes aired on Shakthi TV are programmesfrom Sun TV and Star Vijay from India. Additionally, programmes onShakthi TV are available online through Yupp TV.

During the height of the war, in early 2009, the premises of the MTVChannel (Pvt) Limited and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited were attacked by armed men who had reportedly heldthe staff at gunpoint and destroyed the main control room. Groundviews, the Committee to Protect Journalists,Freedom House and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) considered the attack to be led by a governmentaffiliated group. Former Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa however refuted such allegations levelledagainst the state.

The premises of MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited were also reportedly attacked bythe use of firecrackers in April 2018, allegedly following the defeat of the No Confidence Motion broughtagainst the incumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


6.1%

Private

National

Free-to-air terrestrial





327 / 1471



Ownership







328 / 1471







Facts

General Information

1998


Founding Year




329 / 1471





Further Information


G.V. Prakash – Channel Head

Nedra Weerasinghe – Heads Capital Maharaja's media divisions, the MTVChannel and MBC Networks. She is a Group Director in the organisation.Previously, she headed the group's two GSA airline operations, namely,Northwest Airlines and Royal Jordanian. Additionally, she has headed CapitalMaharaja's commercially successful pipe manufacturing entity, S-Lon Lanka.

MBC/ MTV Channels (Pvt) Limited45/3, Braybrook Place, Colombo-02Tel : +94112851371Website: shakthitv.lk




Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Sirasa Shakthi Sahana Yathra begins collecting goods by News First (2018),


YuppTV forays into Sri Lankan market via Sirasa and Shakthi TV by the

Daily FT (2015), Accessed on 31 August 2018

Headlines



330 / 1471

http://shakthitv.lk/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/05/23/sirasa-shakthi-sahana-yathra-begins-collecting-goods/

http://www.ft.lk/article/415895/YuppTV-forays-into-Sri-Lankan-market-via-Sirasa-and-Shakthi-TV



Sunday Times (2009), Accessed on 31 August 2018

Mobs surrounds Sirasa head office, throw firecrackers by The Island (2018

), Accessed 7 September 2018


September 2018


September 2018



The official websites of Shakthi TV, or MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited i.e. thecompany it is managed by, does not provide any details about its founder orcompany structure. Instead, it provides a list of the channel's programmesand contact details. Meanwhile, MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited’s parent company,The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited, provides a list of is board ofdirectors. In order to obtain further information on the channel, secondarysources were required. Upon contacting the channel via phone calls, it wasconfirmed that the mentioned key individuals still hold their respective posts.The founder is occasionally referred to by two names in the referencedsources as R. Rajamahendran and Kili Maharaja. These names are also speltdifferently across the cited reports. Details with regarding to the presentshareholders were obtained from the annual returns available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies. While the Media Ownership Monitorresearch team reached out to The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited byformally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, thecompany did not respond to the aforementioned request. Viewership datawas obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for theyear 2017.

Official website of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited, Accessed

on 31 August 2018

Official website of Shakthi TV, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Official Facebook page of Shakthi TV, Accessed on 31 August 2018

LinkedIn – profile of Nedra Weerasinghe, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Meta Data

Sources



331 / 1471

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/031221/tv/6.htm







https://www.facebook.com/shakthitv.lk/?tn-str=k*F

https://lk.linkedin.com/in/nedra-weerasinghe-mba-049a3735








2018

Government urged to punish violence against independent (2009),





332 / 1471








TV 1TV 1 is a bilingual English and Sinhala language TV channel managedby MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited, which is a subsidiary of The CapitalMaharaja Organisation Limited. Having commenced in 2016, itremains a fairly recent channel aimed at catering content to theyouth. According to the Lanka Market Research Bureau nationalsurvey in 2017, the channel had an audience reach of 0.7 percent.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


0.7%

Private

National

Free to air





333 / 1471



Ownership







334 / 1471







Facts

General Information

1992


Founding Year




335 / 1471





Further Information


Rinaz Mohammed – is the Channel Head at TV 1.

Missing Data

TV 1MBC/ MTV Channels (Pvt) Limited45/3, Braybrook Place, Colombo-02Email: [email protected]

Tel: +94114650750Website: tv1.lk




Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

TCMOL launches brand new channel TV 1 by News First (2016), Accessed

on 14 September 2018

News 1st, Sirasa and TV1 sweep Raigam Tele Awards 2017, Newsfirst


Headlines



336 / 1471


http://http//tv1.lk/

http://tv1.lk/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2016/01/18/tcmol-launches-brand-new-channel-tv-1/125402/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/03/24/news-1st-sirasa-and-tv1-sweep-raigam-tele-awards-2017/



The official website of TV 1 does not provide any details about its founder orthe company structure. It provides a list of the channel's programmes andcontact details. The official website of The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited, which is the parent company of MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited, does notlist TV 1 as a channel. However, upon contacting the company, it wasexplained that TV 1 is maintained by MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited, akin to itssister channels Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV and MTV. Details about the CEO andChannel Head were also gathered by directly contacting the company.Moreover, it was conveyed that the channel had undergone many namechanges from its commencement, some of which include, MTV Sports andChannel One. However, the channel officially rebranded as TV 1 in 2016.Information regarding the company’s shareholders was gathered from theannual returns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies.Viewership data was obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market ResearchBureau (LMRB) for the year 2017. While the Media Ownership Monitorresearch team reached out to The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited byformally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, thecompany did not respond to the aforementioned request.

Official website of TV 1, Accessed on 14 September 2018

Sirasa TV to celebrate its 20th anniversary by News First (2018), Accessed


Susara Dinal receives nominations to contest in western provincial council

polls by News First (2014), Accessed on 14 September 2018

Sirasa – Shakthi sahana yathra begins collecting goods by News First

(2018) , Accessed on 14 September 2018

TCMOL launches brand new channel TV1 by News First (2016), Accessed


Channel One out MTV Sports in by the Daily FT (2012), Accessed on 14

September 2018

Guide to Media 2017

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



337 / 1471

http://tv1.lk/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/06/09/sirasa-tv-to-celebrate-its-20th-anniversary/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2014/02/03/susara-dinal-receives-nominations-contest-western-provincial-council-polls/


https://www.newsfirst.lk/2016/01/18/tcmol-launches-brand-new-channel-tv-1/125402/

http://www.ft.lk/front-page/channel-one-out-mtv-sports-in/44-68401




Shakthi FMShakthi FM began broadcasting in 1998 and is the Tamil languageradio station of MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited, which is part of TheCapital Maharaja Organisation Limited. Sinhala language radiostation Sirasa FM, English language radio stations Yes FM andLegends FM, and the Sinhala and English bilingual radio station Y FMare Shakthi FM's sister stations. Functioning as a 24-hour radiostation, Shakthi FM broadcasts music, live news, interactiveinterviews and a host of other programmes in Sri Lanka.

During the height of the war on 6 January 2009, the premises of theMTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited wereattacked by armed men who had reportedly held the staff atgunpoint and destroyed the main control room. Groundviews, the Committee to Protect Journalists, FreedomHouse and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) considered the attack to be led by a government affiliated group.Former Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa however refuted such allegations levelled against the state.The premises of MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited were reportedly attacked by theuse of firecrackers in April 2018, allegedly following the defeat of the No Confidence Motion brought againstthe incumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


5.94%

Private

National

Free to air





338 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureShakthi FM is managed by the radio broadcasting company MBC Networks(Pvt) Limited, which is listed as a subsidiary of The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited on its official website. In total, the broadcastingcompany's shares are owned by two companies linked to The CapitalMaharaja Organisation Limited i.e. Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited, which owns94.56 percent of shares, and Vision Link (Pvt) Limited, which owns 5.43percent of shares. Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited also holds 28.6 per cent ofshares at Vision Link (Pvt) Limited. Chairperson of The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited R. Rajamahendran owns 79.95 percent of shares atCapital Holdings (Pvt) Limited while his son Sashidharan Rajamahendranowns 20.05 percent.






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Facts

General Information

1998

Rajandram Maharaja and Rajandram Rajamahendran are the founders ofShakthi FM, and the sons of Sinnathamby Rajandram, one of the founders ofThe Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited. Rajandram Maharaja was marriedto Padma Maharaja, an enterprising figure who had her own fashion labelcalled 'Vati' and also served on the board of Hilton Hotel. She passed away in2016. Rajandram Rajamahendran is married to Cannice Rajamahendran. Sheis the CEO of Rumours salon, a company under the organisation. While bothbrothers took over the organisation, Rajandram Maharaja eventually retired.In 2018, Rajandram Rajamahendran's son, Sashidharan Rajamahendran, wasappointed as Managing Director of the organisation. Meanwhile,Rajamahendran's daughter, Anjali Rajamahendran, is a Group Director in theorganisation. Pradeep Maharaja, the son of Rajandram Maharaja and PadmaMaharaja, is also a Group Director in the organisation. In 2015, Pradeep wasappointed to the board of directors at the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka (MBSL).

Lakshmi Jayasinghe is the present CEO of MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited. Shehas previously held the posts of Director at the Management InformationSystem and Business Intelligence of The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited, Sales Director and Sales Manager of News First at MTV/MBC Channel(Pvt) Limited and the position of Key Accounts Manager at OLE Spring Bottlers(Pvt) Limited.

R.P. Abarna Suthan currently serves as the Channel Head for Shakthi FM.Entering into the broadcasting sphere in 1996, Abarna Suthan worked withboth Sooriyan FM and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) prior tojoining Shakthi FM. In 2016, he served as one of the panelists in selecting theprize winners for the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union

Shanthi Bhagirathan – serves as the Group Director for MBC Networks (Pvt)Limited and also heads Stein Studios, both of which are listed as subsidiariesof The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited on its official website. She hasserved in several local and international organisations such as the BBC UK,Star Network India, FOX and Warner Brothers. As an active member of theAsia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, she serves as the Chairperson for the RadioWorking Party. Prior to entering the media world, she worked with P&G aswell as Reckitt and Colman in the UK and Pepsi in India.

Founding Year







340 / 1471




Further Information

Asoka Dias – is the Director Station at MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited.

MBC/ MTV Channels (Pvt) Limited45/3, Braybrook Place, Colombo-02Tel: +9411 2851371Email: [email protected]

Website: shakthifm.com

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Shakthi FM marks fifteen years of sound success by News First (2013),


Sirasa Shakthi Sahana Yathra begins collecting good by News First (2018),


Shakthi FM celebrates 16th anniversary today; enchanting programmes

continue to fascinate audiences by News First (2014), Accessed on 12

August 2018

Samsung partners with E FM, Shakthi FM and Shree FM to host island-

wide caller competitions by the Ceylon Business Reporter (2015), Accessed

on 12 August 2018

Headlines



341 / 1471


http://http//shakthifm.com/

http://shakthifm.com/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2013/11/20/shakthi-fm-marks-fifteen-years-of-sound-success/


https://www.newsfirst.lk/2014/11/20/shakthi-fm-celebrates-16th-anniversary-today/

http://cbr.lk/technology/samsung-partners-e-fm-shakthi-fm-shree-fm-host-island-wide-caller-competitions/






September 2018


September 2018





The official website of Shakthi FM and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited do notprovide any details about its founder or company structure. Instead, itprovides a list of the station’s programmes and contact details. However,Group Directors in the parent company, The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited, are listed on the company’s official website. While secondary sourceswere referenced to obtain data about the station, here too the MOM researchteam encountered limited information. Similarly, although information on theaffiliated interests of the other key individuals working for the company wasscarce, the company confirmed that these individuals continue to hold theirposts. Chairperson Rajandram Rajamahendran is occasionally referred to asKili Maharaja and R. Rajamahendran. These names are spelt differently acrossthe cited sources. Information on the company’s shareholders was gatheredthrough the annual returns available at the Department of Registrar ofCompanies. The most recent data was available for the year 2017.Listenership data was obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market ResearchBureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January- November). While the MediaOwnership Monitor research team reached out to The Capital MaharajaOrganisation by formally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July2018, the company did not respond to the aforementioned request.

Official website of the The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited,


Official website of Shakthi FM, Accessed on 12 August 2018

Meta Data

Sources



342 / 1471










Official website of MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited, Accessed on 12 August

2018

Facebook page of Shakthi FM, Accessed on 12 August 2018

LinkedIn profile of Shanthi Bhagirathan, Accessed on 12 August 2018

Grand Prix Nova profile on Shanthi Bhagirathan, Accessed on 12 August

2018


2018



LinkedIn profile of Lakshmi Jayasinghe, Accessed on 12 August 2018




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http://www.mbc.lk/

https://www.facebook.com/shakthiradio/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanthibhagirathan28/

http://www.grandprixnova.ro/articole/art.htm?a=1496491&c=3151&g=2



https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshmi-jayasinghe-fcma-cgma-5b3ba490/?originalSubdomain=lk




Y FMY FM is an English and Sinhala bilingual radio station that caters to ayounger audience. Launched in 2005, Y FM is managed by MBCNetworks (Pvt) Limited, which is a subsidiary of The CapitalMaharaja Organisation Limited. Sirasa FM, Shakthi FM, Yes FM andLegends FM serve as Y FM’s sister channels.

During the height of the war on 6 January 2009, the premises of theMTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited wereattacked by armed men who had reportedly held the staff atgunpoint and destroyed the main control room. Groundviews, theCommittee to Protect Journalists, Freedom House and ReportersWithout Borders (RSF) considered the attack to be led by agovernment affiliated group. Former Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa however refuted suchallegations levelled against the state. The premises of MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and MBC Networks (Pvt)Limited were also reportedly attacked by the use of firecrackers in April 2018, allegedly following the defeat ofthe No Confidence Motion brought against the incumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


3.7%

Private

National

Free to air





344 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureY FM is managed by the radio broadcasting company MBC Networks (Pvt)Limited, which is listed as a subsidiary of The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited on its official website. In total, the broadcasting company's shares areowned by two companies linked to The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limitedi.e. Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited, which owns 94.56 percent of shares, andVision Link (Pvt) Limited, which owns 5.43 percent of shares. Capital Holdings(Pvt) Limited also holds 28.6 per cent of shares at Vision Link (Pvt) Limited.Chairperson of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited R. Rajamahendranowns 79.95 percent of shares at Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited while his sonSashidharan Rajamahendran owns 20.05 percent.






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Facts

General Information

2005

Rajandram Maharaja and Rajandram Rajamahendran are the founders of YFM, and the sons of Sinnathamby Rajandram, one of the founders of TheCapital Maharaja Organisation Limited. Rajandram Maharaja was married toPadma Maharaja, an enterprising figure who had her own fashion label called'Vati' and also served on the board of Hilton Hotel. She passed away in 2016.Rajandram Rajamahendran is married to Cannice Rajamahendran. She is theCEO of Rumours salon, a company under the organisation. While bothbrothers took over the organisation, Rajandram Maharaja eventually retired.In 2018, Rajandram Rajamahendran's son, Sashidharan Rajamahendran, wasappointed as Managing Director of the organisation. Meanwhile,Rajamahendran's daughter, Anjali Rajamahendran, is a Group Director in theorganisation. Pradeep Maharaja, the son of Rajandram Maharaja and PadmaMaharaja, is also a Group Director in the organisation. In 2015, Pradeep wasappointed to the board of directors at the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka (MBSL).

Lakshmi Jayasinghe is the present CEO of MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited. Shehas previously held the posts of Director at the Management InformationSystem and Business Intelligence of The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited, Sales Director and Sales Manager of News First at MTV/MBC Channel(Pvt) Limited and the Key Accounts Manager at OLE Spring Bottlers (Pvt)Limited.



Founding Year






346 / 1471




Further Information

MBC/ MTV Channels (Pvt) Limited45/3, Braybrook Place, Colombo-02Tel: +94 77 274 4943E-mail: [email protected]

Website: yfm.lk

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Celebrations in the air as Y FM marks eight years of success by News First


SLIM takes marketing to the youth with Y FM by the Daily FT (2015),


Shashi Rajamahendran appointed Capital Maharaja MD by the Daily News





September 2018

Headlines



347 / 1471



http://http//yfm.lk/

http://yfm.lk/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2013/12/01/y-fm-celebrates-8th-anniversary/

http://www.ft.lk/article/402677/SLIM-takes-marketing-to-the-youth-with-Y-FM







September 2018





The official website of Y FM and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited do not provideany details about its founder or company structure. Instead, it provides a listof the station’s programmes and contact details. However, Group Directors inthe parent company, The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited, are listed onthe company’s official website. While secondary sources were referenced toobtain data about the station, here too the MOM research team encounteredlimited information. Similarly, although information on the affiliated interestsof the other key individuals working for the company was scarce, thecompany confirmed that these individuals continue to hold their posts.Chairperson Rajandram Rajamahendran is occasionally referred to as KiliMaharaja and R. Rajamahendran. These names are spelt differently acrossthe cited sources. Information on the company’s shareholders was gatheredthrough the annual returns available at the Department of Registrar ofCompanies. The most recent data was available for the year 2017.Listenership data was obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market ResearchBureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January- November). While the MediaOwnership Monitor research team reached out to The Capital MaharajaOrganisation by formally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July2018, the company did not respond to the aforementioned request.


on 3 September 2018

Official website of Y FM, Accessed on 3 September 2018

The Media Giant by Business Today (2006), Accessed on 3 September

2018

LinkedIn profile of Lakshmi Jayasinghe, Accessed on 3 September 2018



Meta Data

Sources



348 / 1471





http://yfm.lk/

http://www.businesstoday.lk/cover_page.php?article=5527

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshmi-jayasinghe-fcma-cgma-5b3ba490/





2018

Government urged to punish violence against independent media outlets

after new attack by Reporters Without Borders (2009), Accessed on 7

September 2018




349 / 1471






News 1stNews First, also known as News1st, is a news service provider underThe Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited. It operates in threemediums – digital, television and radio. The digital medium initiallycommenced as ethalaya.com on 10 October 2007. However, thename was later changed to newsfirst.lk. Although the websiteprimarily catered to a Sinhala-speaking readership, it currentlycaters to speakers of Sinhala, Tamil and English. News content onthe website is published as both text and video. The recordedcontent is telecasted on the channels that are operated by MTVChannel (Pvt) Limited from 5:55 am to midnight on a daily basis.Apart from disseminating local news, the website featuresinternational news, business, sports and entertainment as well.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

Private

International

Free





350 / 1471



Ownership







351 / 1471







Facts

General Information

2007


Founding Year




352 / 1471





Further Information


Suranga Senanyake is the Channel Head for News First

Chevaan Daniel – is the Group Director who oversees News First. He haspreviously served as a Consultant at NBC News in the US. Following the attackat the premises of MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limitedin 2009, Chevaan was interviewed by CNN. Subsequently, then Secretary ofDefense Gotabaya Rajapaksa had reportedly called for Chevaan’s arrest forhaving spoken to CNN regarding the incident.

News 1st, MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd, MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited45/3, Braybrooke Street, Colombo 2T.P : +94 114 792 700Fax : +94 114 792 733Email: [email protected]

Website: www.newsfirst.lk




Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

News1st Digital now on Whatsapp by News First (2018), Accessed on 25

September 2018

Headlines



353 / 1471


http://https//www.newsfirst.lk/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/09/05/news-1st-digital-now-on-whatsapp/



Newfirst.lk named overall winner of BestWeb 2018 by News First (2018),


Newsfirst Digital consolidates No. 1 position across social media platforms


The official website of News First operates as a news portal and as such, doesnot provide details with regards to the operational structure of the digitalmedium. The profile on News First was written by the MOM team aftercontacting the News First division. Information with regards to the ownershipstructure was gathered from the Department of Registrar of Companies.

Official website of News First, Accessed on 25 September 2018

News1st Digital celebrates a vibrant tenth anniversary by News First




Sri Lankan journalist predicted own execution by CNN (2009), Accessed on

26 September 2018

LinkedIn profile of Chevaan Daniel, Accessed on 26 September 2018

Meta Data

Sources



354 / 1471

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/06/30/newsfirst-lk-named-overall-winner-of-bestweb-2018/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2014/06/17/news-1st-digital-consolidates-1-position-across-social-media-platforms/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2017/10/10/news1st-digital-celebrates-10th-anniversary/


http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/15/sri.lanka.journalist.death/index.html

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chevaan/?originalSubdomain=lk



Sirasa FMSirasa FM is a popular Sinhala language radio station owned by MBCNetworks (Pvt) Limited, which is a subsidiary of The CapitalMaharaja Organisation Limited. It was founded in 1994 and by 1995,it became the first Sinhala language radio station to provide 24-hourbroadcasting. Tamil language station Shakthi FM, English languagestations Yes FM and Legends FM, as well as the Sinhala and Englishbilingual youth station Y FM all operate under MBC Networks (Pvt)Limited. Sirasa FM features news covering local and internationalcontent, local sports, business, weather and traffic.

During the height of the war on 6 January 2009, the premises of theMTV Channel (Pvt) Limited and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited wereattacked by armed men who had reportedly held the staff at gunpoint and destroyed the main control room.Groundviews, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Freedom House and Reporters Without Borders (RSF)considered the attack to be led by a government affiliated group. Former Secretary of Defence GotabayaRajapaksa however refuted such allegations levelled against the state. The premises of MTV Channel (Pvt)Limited and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited were also reportedly attacked by the use of firecrackers in April 2018,allegedly following the defeat of the No Confidence Motion brought against the incumbent Prime Minister of SriLanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


12.88%

Private

National

Free to air





355 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureSiras FM is managed by the radio broadcasting company MBC Networks (Pvt)Limited, which is listed as a subsidiary of The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited on its official website. In total, the broadcasting company's shares areowned by two companies linked to The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limitedi.e. Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited, which owns 94.56 percent of shares, andVision Link (Pvt) Limited, which owns 5.43 percent of shares. Capital Holdings(Pvt) Limited also holds 28.6 percent of shares at Vision Link (Pvt) Limited.Chairperson of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited R. Rajamahendranowns 79.95 percent of shares at Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited while his sonSashidharan Rajamahendran owns 20.05 percent.






356 / 1471






Facts

General Information

1994


Lakshmi Jayasinghe is the present CEO of MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited. Shehas previously held the posts of Director at the Management InformationSystem and Business Intelligence of The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited, Sales Director and Sales Manager of News First at MTV/MBC Channel(Pvt) Limited and the Key Accounts Manager at OLE Spring Bottlers (Pvt)Limited.

Sajith Ranayake is the Channel Head



Founding Year







357 / 1471




Further Information

MBC/ MTV Channels (Pvt) Limited45/3, Braybrook Place, Colombo-02Tel: +9411 2851371Email: [email protected]

Website: sirasa.com

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Nanda – Victor And Sirasa FM: Ramya Threerthaya And Its Beyond by

Colombo Telegraph (2014), Accessed on 12 August 2018

Sirasa FM celebrates 22nd anniversary – creates history with 24-hour

broadcast by News First (2016), Accessed on 12 August 2018




September 2018


September 2018



Headlines



358 / 1471


http://sirasa.com/

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/nanda-victor-and-sirasa-fm-ramya-threerthaya-and-its-beyond/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2016/03/02/sirasa-fm-celebrates-22nd-anniversary-creates-history-with-24-hour-broadcast/







The official website of Sirasa FM and MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited do notprovide any details about its founder or company structure. Instead, itprovides a list of the station’s programmes and contact details. However,Group Directors in the parent company, The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited, are listed on the company’s official website. While secondary sourceswere referenced to obtain data about the station, here too the MOM researchteam encountered limited information. Similarly, although information on theaffiliated interests of the other key individuals working for the company wasscarce, the company confirmed that these individuals continue to hold theirposts. Chairperson Rajandram Rajamahendran is occasionally referred to asKili Maharaja and R. Rajamahendran. These names are spelt differently acrossthe cited sources. Information on the company’s shareholders was gatheredthrough the annual returns available at the Department of Registrar ofCompanies. The most recent data was available for the year 2017.Listenership data was obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market ResearchBureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January- November). While the MediaOwnership Monitor research team reached out to The Capital MaharajaOrganisation by formally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July2018, the company did not respond to the aforementioned request.


on 12 August 2018

Official website of Sirasa FM, Accessed on 12 August 2018

Rocket Reach profile of Shanthi Bhagirathan, Accessed on 12 August 2018

Grand Prix Nova profile on Shanthi Bhagirathan, Accessed on 12 August

2018






2018



Meta Data

Sources



359 / 1471

http://www.capitalmaharaja.com/index.html

http://sirasa.com/

https://rocketreach.co/shanthi-bhagirathan-email_7317014

http://www.grandprixnova.ro/articole/art.htm?a=1496491&c=3151&g=2










360 / 1471




SwarnavahiniThe Sinhala language TV channel Swarnavahini has been on air since16 March 1997. The channel is under EAP Broadcasting CompanyLimited and telecasts an array of programmes including newssegments, reality shows, talk shows and teledramas. The channel isalso reportedly the first to air morning programming in the country.However, since 2015, EAP Broadcasting Company Limited, part ofEAP Holdings, has faced several changes in terms of its ownershipand management mostly due to financial troubles. Earlier this year,the Central Bank of Sri Lanka stepped in to manage EAP Holdings.The lack of information and ambiguity surrounding the ownership ofthe EAP Group has been lengthily discussed in the local media.Presently, the websites of EAP Holdings and Swarnavahini.lk areunder construction, and there is still a lack of clarity as to who controls the channel.

In 2017, all the shares of EAP Broadcasting were split between Ranawaka Arachchilage Michael Anthony DeAlwis, Edinadura Wipula De Soysa and ETI Finance Limited (99.99%). In March 2018, 39.99% of shares that wereheld by ETI Finance Limited, were then sold to a Singapore-based wealth management company, Blue SummitCapital Management Pte. Limited. Meanwhile, 59.99% shares of EAP Broadcasting Company Limited were soldto Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited, a company which is based in Sri Lanka. Alexis Indrajit Lovell is the soleshareholder of Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited, whereas Blue Summit Capital Management Pte. Limited is owned bythe Portugal-based Pettigo Commercio Internacional LDA. This Portuguese company owns the trademarks ofLycamobile, Lyca and Lycafly. The company is affiliated with Allirajah Subaskaran, the owner of Lycamobile, aninternational mobile network operator based in London.

It is possible that Ranawaka Arachchilage Michael Anthony De Alwis and Edinadura Wipula Soysa still own oneshare each while ETI Finance Limited may own two shares. EAP Broadcasting has not filed an annual returnsince these share transfers took place in order to determine the present ownership structure.



361 / 1471



Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


8.8%

Private

National

Free to air

EAP Broadcasting Company Limited




362 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureSwarnavahini is managed by EAP Broadcasting Company Limited, where ETIFinance Limited used to have majority shares until 2017. In March 2018,39.99% of shares that were held by ETI Finance Limited, were sold to aSingapore-based wealth management company, Blue Summit CapitalManagement Pte. Limited. Meanwhile, 59.99% shares of EAP BroadcastingCompany Limited were sold to Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited, a company which isbased in Sri Lanka. Alexis Indrajit Lovell is the sole shareholder of BenHoldings (Pvt) Limited, whereas Blue Summit Capital Management Pte Limitedis owned by the Portugal-based company, Pettigo Commercio InternacionalLDA. This Portuguese company owns the trademarks of Lycamobile, Lyca andLycafly. The company is affiliated with Allirajah Subaskaran, the owner ofLycamobile, which an international mobile network operator based inLondon. It is uncertain as to whether ETI holds 2 shares and RanawakaArachchcige Michael Anthony De Alwis and Edinadura Wipula De Soysa ownone share each, as an annual return has not been filed since the transfer ofshares.


Individual OwnerAlexis Indrajit Lovell 60%

Allirajah Subaskaran 40%



363 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/alexis-indrajit-lovell/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/allirajah-subaskaran/






Facts

General Information

1994

EAP Broadcasting Company Limited, which operates the Swarnavahini TVchannel, was started by the Edirisinghe family. Founded by E.A.P. Edirisinghein the 1930s, EAP Holdings Limited (the parent company of EAP Broadcasting),initially began in the pawning industry. Thereinafter, the business branchedinto several sectors such as: two finance companies – Saravana Finance andEdirisinghe Trust Investments (ETI) Limited, broadcasting, hospitality,jewellery, and theatres. After E.A.P. Edirisinghe passed way in 1974, his wifeSoma Edirisinghe took over the company, which consisted of 25 subsidiarycompanies and spanned over diverse industries. She was the first femaleDistrict Governor of the Lions Club (2003 – 2004) and is widely known for herphilanthropic initiatives such as establishing the charity organisation, JanasaraFoundation. After Soma passed away in 2015, her children – Jeewaka, Nalaka,Asanka and Deepa Edirisinghe – took-over the business.

Founding Year




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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/eap-broadcasting-company-limited/



As per the annual returns available for the year 2018 at the Department ofRegistrar of Companies, the CEO is listed as a Malaysian-based individual,Thomas Mathew.

Missing Data

Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe – the son of the founder of EAP Holdings and anExecutive Director at Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC. He also serves as aDirector in over 15 companies, many of which are affiliated with the EAPGroup of companies. In July 2018, it was reported that Asanka SrimalEdirisinghe, along with three other Directors from the EAP Group, had beenissued a travel ban by the Colombo Fort Magistrate, Lanka Jayaratne. On 10July 2018, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued a public notice requesting forinformation on assets and properties held by the aforementioned Directors.As per the data available at the Department of Registrar of Companies forMay 2018, he is listed as a Director of EAP Broadcasting Company Limited.

Anjali Deepa Edirisinghe – is the daughter of the late Soma Edirisinghe, whowas the wife of the founder of EAP Holdings and previously managed the EAPGroup of companies. Deepa serves as a Director for many of the samecompanies as Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe. In 2017, Deepa announced that shewould contest in the Local Government Election through the Sri LankaFreedom Party (SLFP). She was also reportedly appointed by PresidentMaithripala Sirisena as the Colombo District Organiser for the SLFP. Akin toAsanka Srimal Edirisinghe, Deepa was also issued a travel ban. Additionally,the Central Bank of Sri Lanka included her name in the list of Directors thebank was monitoring with regards to ownership of properties and assets. Asper the data available at the Department of Registrar of Companies, she islisted as a Director for EAP Broadcasting Company Limited.

Omar Siraj Qandeel – reportedly serves on the Board of Switzerland-basedBlueOrchard, which is a leading impact investment manager worldwide andespecially focuses on inclusive finance such as microfinance. As per the dataavailable at the Department of Registrar of Companies for May 2018, he islisted as a Director.






365 / 1471




Further Information

Don Cyril Rodrigo – Don Cyril Rodrigo, also known as Cyril Rodrigo, is thefounder and CEO of S-Net Freight (Holdings) Pte. Limited, which is aSingapore-based freight company. He has previously held the positions ofCargo Marketing Manager for Cathy Pacific, Marketing Manager for AEI andAsia Pacific Vice President for Emery Worldwide. As per the data available atthe Department of Registrar of Companies for May 2018, he is listed as aDirector.

Paul Xavier Kelly – As per the data available at the Department of Registrar ofCompanies for May 2018, he is listed as the Investments Manager.

EAP Broadcasting Company LimitedNo.676 A2, Galle Road, Colombo 3Tel: +947 534 534Website: www.eapholdings.lk

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Swarnavahini most awarded channel of the year at Raigam Tele Awards

2014 by the Daily FT (2015), Accessed on 10 August 2018

Swarnavahini celebrates 14th anniversary by the Daily News (2011),


Bandula Removed From Swarnavahini’s Mul Pituwa by Colombo Telegraph


Headlines



366 / 1471

http://http//www.eapholdings.lk/

http://www.eapholdings.lk/

http://www.ft.lk/article/434739/Swarnavahini-most-awarded-channel-of-the-year-at-Raigam-Tele-Awards-2014

http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/03/18/bus11.asp

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/bandula-removed-from-swarnavahinis-mul-pituwa/



Ranil Blames Swarnavahini Administration For Sacking Bandula by

Colombo Telegraph (2015), Accessed on 10 August 2018

Explaining the Rs 17 Million Hole In ETI's Balance Sheet by Echelon (2018),


Central Bank yet to rule on EAP Group sale by the Sunday Times (2018),


EAP Group seals deal to sell key assets to S’pore firm by the Daily Mirror


Reports emerge of an imminent deal on EAP Group assets by News First


Purchase of Edirisinghe Group: Investors in a labyrinth of multiple

companies by the Sunday Times (2018), Accessed on 10, August 2018

Central Bank to manage two crisis-hit EAP finance companies by the


Travel ban issued on Edirisinghe family over ETI probe by The Sunday

Leader (2018), Accessed on 10 August 2018

EAP group holds talks with Malaysian investor to sell its companies by the


EAP group exits from subsidiaries to save two finance companies by the


No Magic Wand: Tittawalla's Painful Medicine For Ailing EAP group by

Echelon (2016), Accessed on 10 August 2018

Offices Of Sri Lankan Born UK Tycoon And Rajapaksa Associate Raided By

French Police by Colombo Telegraph (2016), Accessed on 10 August 2018

Deepa Edirisinghe to contest elections by the Daily News (2017), Accessed

on 3 August 2018



367 / 1471

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/ranil-blames-swarnavahini-administration-for-sacking-bandula/

http://echelon.lk/home/explaining-the-rs17-billion-hole-in-etis-balance-sheet/

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180225/news/central-bank-yet-to-rule-on-eap-group-sale-283579.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/EAP-Group-seals-deal-to-sell-key-assets-to-S-pore-firm-147821.html

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/02/20/reports-emerge-imminent-deal-eap-group-assets/

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180603/news/296904-296904.html

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1037185/cb-to-manage-two-crisis-hit-eap-finance-companies

http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2018/07/06/travel-ban-issued-on-edirisinghe-family-over-eti-probe/

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/171224/news/eap-group-holds-talks-with-malaysian-investor-to-sell-its-companies-274489.html

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180401/business-times/eap-group-exits-from-subsidiaries-to-save-two-finance-companies-288011.html

http://echelon.lk/home/no-magic-wand-tittawellas-painful-medicine-for-ailing-eap-group/

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/offices-of-sri-lankan-born-uk-tycoon-and-rajapaksa-associate-raided-by-french-police/

http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/12/16/political/137488/deepa-edirisinghe-contest-elections



Deepa Edirisinghe enters politics through SLFP by Ada Derana (2017),


CB seeks info on ETI directors by the Sunday Times (2018), Accessed on

August 23, 2018

$ 75 m EAP deal struck with $ 35 m initial infusion by Daily FT (2018),


ETI Directors barred from leaving by the Daily News (2018), Accessed on

23 August 2018

Travel bans imposed on four ETI directors by News First (2018), Accessed

on 23 August 2018

The official website of EAP Holdings has been under construction for over twomonths, making the access to information on the company’s presentownership difficult to obtain. As such, the MOM research term referencedseveral newspaper reports, in addition to gathering shareholder detailsthrough the annual returns available at the Department of Registrar ofCompanies. The most recent data was available for the year 2017. However,documents on the transfer of shares was for the year 2018. As mentionedabove, an annual return has not been filed by EAP Broadcasting CompanyLimited since the transfer of shares to Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited andBen Holdings (Pvt) Limited. Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited also does nothave an official website. Information on Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited wasobtained from the Singapore Registrar of Companies. Viewership data onSwarnavahini was obtained from the Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB)for the year 2017. While the Media Ownership Monitor research teamreached out to EAP Broadcasting Company Limited by formally requesting forthe company’s information on 25 July 2018, the company did not respond tothe aforementioned request.

Official website of SupremeSAT, Accessed on 10 August 2018

Official website of EAP Holdings, Accessed on 10 August 2018

Profile of Blue Summit Capital Management Pte. Limited by the Singapore

Business Registry, Accessed on 10 August 2018

Official YouTube page of Swarnavahini, Accessed on 10 August 2018

Meta Data

Sources



368 / 1471

http://www.adaderana.lk/news/44818/deepa-edirisinghe-enters-politics-through-slfp-

https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/sunday-times-sri-lanka/20180916/282733407769975

http://www.ft.lk/front-page/--75-m-EAP-deal-struck--with---35-m-initial-infusion/44-654648

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/07/07/local/156158/eti-directors-barred-leaving?page=19

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/07/07/travel-bans-imposed-on-four-eti-directors/

http://www.supremesat.com/


https://www.sgpbusiness.com/company/Blue-Summit-Capital-Management-Pte-Ltd

https://www.youtube.com/user/swarnavahinitv/about



Facebook profile of Deepa Edirisinghe, Accessed on 3 August 2018

Profile of Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe by Market Screener, Accessed 3

August 2018

Profile of Anjali Deepa Edirisinghe by Market Screener, Accessed on 3

August 2018

Official website of S-Net Freight (Holdings) Pte. Limited, Accessed on 23

August 2018

Business Profile (Company) of Blue Summit Capital Pte LimitedDocuments



369 / 1471

https://www.facebook.com/deepa.edirisinghe.7?lst=729911988%3A100003765884338%3A1538238732

https://www.marketscreener.com/business-leaders/Asanka-Edirisinghe-0CC9LJ-E/biography/

https://www.marketscreener.com/business-leaders/Anjalee-Edirisinghe-0CC9L9-E/biography/

https://www.s-netglobal.com/index.html

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5924&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=fddeb0d637a16951881cb0c5d86f60f9



Shree FMShree FM is a Sinhala language radio station that was founded in1999 under the Edirisinghe Broadcasting Company Limited. It begantransmission in 2000. The company also owns the Sinhala languageTV channel, Swarnavahini. As per the company’s annual returns forthe year 2018 at the Department of Registrar of Companies, 59.99percent of the company’s shares are owned by Ben Holdings (Pvt)Limited, while 39.99 percent of shares are owned by a Singaporean-based company, Blue Summit Capital Management Pte. Limited.Alexis Indrajit Lovell is the sole shareholder of Ben Holdings (Pvt)Limited, whereas Blue Summit Capital Management Pte. Limited isowned by Portugal-based Pettigo Commercio Internacional LDA,owner of the trademarks of Lycamobile, Lyca and Lycafly. Thecompany is affiliated with Allirajah Subaskaran, the owner of Lycamobile, which is an international mobilenetwork operator based in London.

It is possible that Ranawaka Arachchilage Michael Anthony De Alwis and Edinadura Wipula Soysa still own oneshare each while ETI Finance Limited may own two shares. The company has not filed an annual return sincethese share transfers took place in order to determine the present structure of ownership.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


5.99%

Private

National

Free to air





370 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureShree FM is managed by EAP Broadcasting Company Limited, where ETIFinance Limited used to have majority shares until 2017. In March 2018,39.99% of shares that were held by ETI Finance Limited, were sold to aSingapore-based wealth management company, Blue Summit CapitalManagement Pte. Limited. Meanwhile, 59.99% shares of EAP BroadcastingCompany Limited were sold to Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited, a company which isbased in Sri Lanka. Alexis Indrajit Lovell is the sole shareholder of BenHoldings (Pvt) Limited, whereas Blue Summit Capital Management Pte.Limited is owned by the Portugal-based company, Pettigo CommercioInternacional LDA. This Portuguese company owns the trademarks ofLycamobile, Lyca and Lycafly. The company is affiliated with AllirajahSubaskaran, the owner of Lycamobile, which an international mobile networkoperator based in London. It is uncertain as to whether ETI Finance Limitedholds 2 shares and Ranawaka Arachchcige Michael Anthony De Alwis andEdinadura Wipula De Soysa own one share each, as an annual return has notbeen filed since the transfer of shares.


Individual OwnerAlexis Indrajit Lovell 60%

Allirajah Subaskaran 40%



371 / 1471









Facts

General Information

1999

EAP Broadcasting Company Limited, which operates the Swarnavahini TVchannel, was started by the Edirisinghe family. Founded by E.A.P. Edirisinghein the 1930s, EAP Holdings Limited (the parent company of EAP Broadcasting),initially began in the pawning industry. Thereinafter, the business branchedinto several sectors such as: two finance companies – Saravana Finance andEdirisinghe Trust Investments (ETI) Limited, broadcasting, hospitality,jewellery, and theatres. After E.A.P. Edirisinghe passed away in 1974, his wifeSoma Edirisinghe took over the company, which consisted of 25 subsidiarycompanies and spanned over diverse industries. She was the first femaleDistrict Governor of the Lions Club (2003 – 2004) and is widely known for herphilanthropic initiatives such as establishing the charity organisation, JanasaraFoundation. After Soma passed away in 2015, her children – Jeewaka, Nalaka,Asanka and Deepa Edirisinghe – took-over the business.

Founding Year




372 / 1471




As per the annual returns available for the year 2018 at the Department ofRegistrar of Companies, the CEO is listed as a Malaysian-based individual,Thomas Mathew.

Missing Data

Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe – the son of the founder of EAP Holdings and anExecutive Director at Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC. He also serves as aDirector in over 15 companies, many of which are affiliated with the EAPGroup of companies. In July 2018, it was reported that Asanka SrimalEdirisinghe, along with three other Directors from the EAP Group, had beenissued a travel ban by the Colombo Fort Magistrate, Lanka Jayaratne. On 10July 2018, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka issued a public notice requesting forinformation on assets and properties held by the aforementioned Directors.As per the data available at the Department of Registrar of Companies forMay 2018, he is listed as a Director of EAP Broadcasting Company Limited.

Anjali Deepa Edirisinghe – is the daughter of the late Soma Edirisinghe, whowas the wife of the founder of EAP Holdings and previously managed the EAPGroup of companies. Deepa serves as a Director for many of the samecompanies as Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe. In 2017, Deepa announced that shewould contest in the Local Government Election through the Sri LankaFreedom Party (SLFP). She was also reportedly appointed by PresidentMaithripala Sirisena as the Colombo District Organiser for the SLFP. Akin toAsanka Srimal Edirisinghe, Deepa was also issued a travel ban. Additionally,the Central Bank of Sri Lanka included her name in the list of Directors thebank was monitoring with regards to ownership of properties and assets. Asper the data available at the Department of Registrar of Companies, she islisted as a Director for EAP Broadcasting Company Limited.

Omar Siraj Qandeel – reportedly serves on the Board of Switzerland-basedBlueOrchard, which is a leading impact investment manager worldwide andespecially focuses on inclusive finance such as microfinance. As per the dataavailable at the Department of Registrar of Companies for May 2018, he islisted as a Director.






373 / 1471




Further Information

Don Cyril Rodrigo – Don Cyril Rodrigo, also known as Cyril Rodrigo, is thefounder and CEO of S-Net Freight (Holdings) Pte. Limited, which is aSingapore-based freight company. He has previously held the positions ofCargo Marketing Manager for Cathy Pacific, Marketing Manager for AEI andAsia Pacific Vice President for Emery Worldwide. As per the data available atthe Department of Registrar of Companies for May 2018, he is listed as aDirector.

Paul Xavier Kelly – As per the data available at the Department of Registrar ofCompanies for May 2018, he is listed as the Investments Manager.


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

The Shree FM "Sports Round Up" programme has been awarded the

prestigious title of "Electronic Media (Radio) - Best Sports Programme of

the Year" at the first-ever Presidential Sports Awards, organised by the

Ministry of Sports of Sri Lanka recently by Bu

Shree FM celebrates 16 years of excellence in radio by The Island (2016),


Headlines



374 / 1471



http://businesscafe.lk/business-news/lifestyle-fashion/item/3020-shree-fm-sports-round-up-awarded-first-ever-presidential-sports-awards-honour




Shree FM Badu Malla Wins AIB Award for Most Creative Marketing

Strategy by The Sunday Leader (2010), Accessed on 10 August 2018

Explaining the Rs. 17 Million Hole in ETI's Balance Sheet by Echelon (2018),









companies by the Sunday Times (2018), Accessed on 10 August 2018



Travel ban issued on Edirisinghe family over ETI prob by The Sunday








Offices Of Sri Lankan Born UK Tycoon And Rajapaksa Associate Raided By

French Police by Colombo Telegraph (2016), Accessed on 10 August 2018

Deepa Edirisinghe to contest elections by the Daily News (2017), Accessed

on 3 August 2018



375 / 1471

http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/12/12/shree-fm-badu-malla-wins-aib-award-for-most-creative-marketing-strategy/











https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/offices-of-sri-lankan-born-uk-tycoon-and-rajapaksa-associate-raided-by-french-police/

http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/12/16/political/137488/deepa-edirisinghe-contest-elections



Deepa Edirisinghe enters politics through SLFP by Ada Derana (2017),


CB seeks info on ETI directors by the Sunday Times (2018), Accessed on

August 23, 2018

$ 75 m EAP deal struck with $ 35 m initial infusion by Daily FT (2018),


ETI Directors barred from leaving by the Daily News (2018), Accessed on

23 August 2018

Travel bans imposed on four ETI directors by News First (2018), Accessed

on 23 August 2018

The official website of EAP Holdings has been under construction for over twomonths, making the information on the company’s present ownershipdifficult to obtain. As such, the MOM research term referenced severalnewspaper reports in addition to gathering shareholder details through theannual returns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. Themost recent data was available for the year 2017. However, documents on thetransfer of shares was for the year 2018. As mentioned in Shree FM’s profilenote, an annual return has not been filed by EAP Broadcasting CompanyLimited since the transfer of shares to Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited andBen Holdings (Pvt) Limited. Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited also does nothave an official website. Information on Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited wasobtained from the Singapore Registrar of Companies and the PortugueseCompanies Registrar. Listenership data was obtained from the Kantar LankaMarket Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January- November). Whilethe Media Ownership Monitor research team reached out to EAPBroadcasting Company Limited by formally requesting for the company’sinformation on 25 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request.

Official website of SupremeSAT (Pvt) Limited, Accessed on 10 August 2018

EAP Holdings, Accessed on 10 August 2018

Blue Summit Capital Management Pte. Ltd. (2018), Accessed on 10 August

2018

Meta Data

Sources



376 / 1471

http://www.adaderana.lk/news/44818/deepa-edirisinghe-enters-politics-through-slfp-

https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/sunday-times-sri-lanka/20180916/282733407769975

http://www.ft.lk/front-page/--75-m-EAP-deal-struck--with---35-m-initial-infusion/44-654648

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/07/07/local/156158/eti-directors-barred-leaving?page=19

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/07/07/travel-bans-imposed-on-four-eti-directors/

http://www.supremesat.com/


https://www.sgpbusiness.com/company/Blue-Summit-Capital-Management-Pte-Ltd



Facebook profile of Shree FM, Accessed on 10 August 2018

Facebook profile of Deepa Edirisinghe, Accessed on 3 August 2018

Profile of Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe by Market Screener

Profile of Anjali Deepa Edirisinghe by Market Screener

Official website of S-Net Freight (Holdings) Pte. Limited, Accessed on 23

August 2018

Business Profile (Company) of Blue Summit Capital Pte LimitedDocuments



377 / 1471

https://www.facebook.com/pg/shreefmlk

https://www.facebook.com/deepa.edirisinghe.7?lst=729911988%3A100003765884338%3A1538238732

https://www.marketscreener.com/business-leaders/Asanka-Edirisinghe-0CC9LJ-E/biography/

https://www.marketscreener.com/business-leaders/Anjalee-Edirisinghe-0CC9L9-E/biography/

https://www.s-netglobal.com/index.html




Hiru TVHiru TV is considered to be the first Digital Ready/HD Ready TVChannel in Sri Lanka. It was reportedly launched with island-widecoverage from its inception. Presently, the channel is maintained byAsia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited (ABC). ABC is listed as asubsidiary of Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited in the latter’sofficial website. Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited is owned bywell-known media personality Rayynor Silva, whose brotherDuminda Silva was a former Member of Parliament. On 11 October2018 the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by DumindaSilva for the murder of former Member of Parliament, BharathaLakshman Premachandra. Meanwhile, Rayynor’s brother Vincentserves as the CEO of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited.

Featuring programmes from political discussions, news segments to current affairs and teledramas, Hiru TVbroadcasts its content in the Sinhala language. Hiru TV is the only TV channel listed under the wings of ABC,while all the other media outlets under the company include radio stations, such as Hiru FM, Gold FM, Sun FM,Shaa FM, Sooriyan FM, and news sites, including Hirunews.lk and gossip.hirufm.lk.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


18.1%

Private

National

Free to air

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited




378 / 1471



Asia Broadcasting Corporation(Pvt) Limited

Ownership

Ownership Structure


Individual OwnerSilva Family 100%


Facts

General Information

2012Founding Year



379 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/silva-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/asia-broadcasting-corporation-pvt-limited/



ஆசிய ஒலிபரப்புக் கூட்டுத்தாபன (பிைரேவட்) லிமிட்டட் ஆரம்பத்தில் சன் ைரஸ்

வாெனாலி குழுமத்தால் 1990 ஆரம்பிக்கப்பட்டது. பின்னர், ெரய்ன

சில்வாவினால் உடைமயாக்கப்பட்டது. இவர், இலங்ைகயின்

ஒளிபரப்புத்துைறயில் ஒரு பிரபலமான வர்த்தகராவார். ஆசிய ஒலிபரப்புக்

கூட்டுத்தாபன (பிைரேவட்) லிமிட்டட் நாட்டில் வாெனாலி வைலயைமப்புகளின்

மிகப் ெபரியவற்றுள் ஒன்றாக விளங்குகின்றது.ெரய்னரின் சேகாதரர் வின்சன் சில்வா ஆசிய ஒலிபரப்புக் கூட்டுத்தாபன

(பிைரேவட்) லிமிட்டட்டின் தற்ேபாைதய பிரதான நிைறேவற்று அதிகாரியாக

பணியாற்றுகிறார்.இதனிைடேய, முன்னாள் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் துமிந்த சில்வாவும், ெரய்ன

சில்வாவின் சேகாதரர் ஆவார். துமிந்த சில்வா தற்ேபாது முன்னாள் பாராளுமன்ற

உறுப்பினர் பாரத லக்ஷ்மன் பிேரமசந்திரவின் ெகாைலக்காக தனக்கும் ேவறு

நான்கு ேபருக்கும் எதிராக தூக்குத் தண்டைனைய விதித்த ெகாழும்பு

ேமல்நீதிமன்றத்தின் தீர்ப்பிற்கு எதிராக ேமன்முைறயீடு ெசய்கின்றார்.

வின்சன்ற் சில்வா ஏசியா ப்ேராட்காஸ்ரிங் ேகாபேரஷன் (பிைரெவட்) லிமிட்டட்

நிறுவனத்தின் பிரதம நிைறேவற்று அதிகாரியாகவுள்ளார். இவர், நிறுவனத்தின்

தைலவர் ெரய்நர் சில்வா மற்றும் முன்னாள் பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினரான துமிந்த

சில்வாவின் சேகாதரர். துமிந்த சில்வா, மைறந்ந பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினரான

பாரத லக்ஷ்மன் பேரமச்சந்திர ெகாைல ெதாடர்பில் மரண தண்டைன

விதிக்கப்பட்டார். தற்ேபாது, ெகாழும்பு ேமல் நீதிமன்றத்தினால் வழங்கப்பட்ட

தீரப்புக்கு எதிராக ேமன் முைறயீடு ெசய்துள்ளார். வின்சன்ற், 2018ம் ஆண்டுவைர

ஏசியா ப்ேராட்காஸ்ரிங் ேகாபேரஷன் (பிைரெவட்) லிமிட்டடின் தனி

உைடைமையக் ெகாண்டிருந்த ஸ்ைகைலன் பசிபிக் ரியல் எஸ்ேரட் (பிைரெவட்)லிமிட்டட் நிறுவனத்தின் பணிப்பாளராகவும் உள்ளார்.

ஹிரு ெதாைலக்காட்சி மற்றும் ஹிரு வாெனாலியின் ெசய்திப் பிரிவின்

பணிப்பாளர் சுேதவா ெஹட்டியாராச்சி. இளம் வயதில் ேரடிேயா சிேலான்

வாெனாலியின் லாமா பிடிய என்ற நிகழ்ச்சியின் மூலம் ஊடகத் துைறக்குள்

நுைழந்தார். வைரயறுக்கப்பட்ட ஆசிய ஒலிபரப்புக் கூட்டுத்தாபனத்தில் 1998 ல்இைணந்தார். ஹிரு வாெனாலியின் காைல ேநர நிகழ்ச்சிகளின்

முன்ேனாடியாவார்.

விராஜ் ெவல்விட்ட ஹிரு ெதாைலக்காட்சியின் உற்பத்தி மற்றும் நிகழ்ச்சித்திட்டப்

பணிப்பாளர். முன்னர் எம் ரிவி சனல் (பிைரெவட்) லிமிட்டட் நிறுவனத்தின்

சிேரஷ்ட்ட தயாரிப்பாளராக பணியாற்றியுள்ளார். #

உேபந்திரா ேஹரத் - ெதாைலக்காட்சி நிறுவனத்தின் ெசய்திப் பிரிவின் பிரதி

பணிப்பாளர். எம் பி சி / எம் ரிவி சனல் (பிைரெவட்) லிமிட்டட் நிறுவனத்தில்

சிேரஷ்ட்ட தயாரிப்பாளராக ஊடகத்தில் தனது பணிைய ஆரம்பித்தார். ஈ ஏ பிெநட்ெவர்க்ஸ் (பிைரெவட்) லிமிட்டட் நிறுவனத்தில் சிேரஷ்ட்ட தயாரிப்பாளராக

பணியாற்றியுள்ளார்







380 / 1471




Further Information

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited35th Floor, East Tower, World Trade Center, Colombo 1Tel: +94 11 2 337 555Fax: (+94) 112 346 870E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.hirutv.lk

Contact

தரவுகள் கிைடக்கவில்ைல



Missing Data




Market Share

Hiru TV and Hiru FM win 6 out of 9 electronic media awards at SLIM –

Nielsen people’s awards by Hiru News, Accessed on 23 September 2018

Hiru TV’s CIA exposes foreign liquor racket by Hiru News, Accessed on 23

September 2018

Another first by Hiru TV – Hiru TV gives out a car everyday on Hiru tele

perahara by Hiru News (2018), Accessed on 23 September 2018

Headlines



381 / 1471


http://http//www.hirutv.lk/

http://www.hirutv.lk/

http://www.hirunews.lk/185535/hiru-tv-fm-win-6-out-9-electronic-media-awards-at-slim-nielsen-peoples

http://www.hirunews.lk/187434/hiru-tvs-cia-exposes-foreign-liquor-racket

http://www.hirunews.lk/193511/another-first-by-hiru-tv-hiru-tv-gives-out-a-car-everyday-on-hiru-tele-perahara-photos



சிரச டிவி மற்றும் ெகப்பிட்டல் மகாராஜா நிறுவனம் ஆகியவற்றின்

உத்திேயாகபூர்வ வைலத்தளம் அந் நிறுவனத்தின் உரித்தாண்ைம ெதாடர்பாக

ேபாதுமான தகவல்கைள வழங்கவில்ைல. இதனிைடேய, இரண்டாம் நிைல

மூலங்களும் இரு ஸ்தாபகர்கைளயும் இந்நிைலயத்தின் உரித்தாண்ைம ெதாடர்பாக

விபரங்கைளயும் ெதளிவுபடுத்துவதற்கு ேபாதுமானதாக இல்ைல. எனேவ,பங்குதாரர்கள் பற்றிய விபரங்கள் கம்பனிகள் பதிவாளர் திைணக்களத்தில் உள்ள

வருடாந்த ரிட்டன்களிலிருந்து ெபற்றுக்ெகாள்ளப்பட்டன. எம்ரிவி அைலவரிைச

லிமிட்டட் மற்றும் ெகப்பிட்டல் மகாராஜா நிறுவனம் ஆகியன ெதாடர்பான மிக

அண்ைமய தரவுகள் 2017 ஆம் ஆண்டிலிருந்து கிைடக்கக் கூடியதாகவுள்ளன.சிரச டிவியின் உத்திேயாகபூர்வ வைலத்தளத்தின்படி அதன் முகவரி பன்னிபிட்டிய

என்று குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. எனினும் இவ் அைலவரிைசயின் வளாகத்தின் மீது

2018 ஏப்பிரலில் ேமற்ெகாள்ளப்பட்ட அண்ைமக்கால தாக்குதைல ெவளியிட்ட

அறிக்ைககள் இவ் முகவரிைய ேபபுரூயஅp;க் பிேளஸ் என்ற குறிப்பிடுகின்றன.ஊடக உரித்தாண்ைம கண்காணிப்பு ஆராய்ச்சிக்குழு இக்கம்பனியின் தகவல்கைள

முைறயாக ேகாரி 2018 யூைல 20 ஆம் திகதி ெகப்பிட்டல் மகாராஜா லிமிட்டட்

நிறுவனத்ைத அணுகியேபாது அக்கம்பனி ேமற்குறிப்பிடப்பட்ட ேகாரிக்ைகக்கு

ெசவிசாய்க்கவில்ைல.

Official website of Hiru TV, Accessed on 20 September 2018

Hiru TV – a benchmark in the television industry in Sri Lanka by The Island


Official website of the Asia Broadcasting Corporation, Accessed on 20

September 2018

Duminda’s life in jeopardized if he is not provided with a hygienic

environment and calm mental state, father of R. Duminda Silva – Lal Silva

mentions to a national newspaper by Hiru News (2017), Accessed on 21

September 2018

Facebook profile of Viraj Weliwatte, Accessed on 21 September 2018

LinkedIn profile of Upendra Herath, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Duminda Silva seeks to overturn death sentence by the Daily News (2016),


Judgement reserved in Duminda Silva’s appeal by the Daily News (2018),


Meta Data

Sources



382 / 1471



http://www.asiabroadcasting.lk/

http://www.hirunews.lk/157767/dumindas-life-in-jeopardized-if-he-provided-hygienic-%20environment-calm-mental-state-father-r-duminda-silva-lal-mentions-to-national-newspaper

https://www.facebook.com/viraj.weliwatte

https://www.linkedin.com/in/upendra-herath-587bb540/

http://www.dailynews.lk/2016/09/23/local/93803

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/07/26/law-order/158022/judgement-reserved-duminda-silva%E2%80%99s-appeal



Embattled Media: Democracy Governance and Reform in Sri Lanka edited

by William Crawley, David Page, Kishali-Pinto Jayawardena (2015),





383 / 1471

https://books.google.lk/books?id=pxlBDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT101&dq=Hiru+tv&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwisnKS5nsndAhUSyxoKHav0BvYQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=Hiru%20tv&f=false




Hiru FMSinhala language radio station Hiru FM is operated by AsiaBroadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited (ABC). Owned by RayynorSilva, the station features news segments, talk shows and religiouscontent. Gold FM, Sooriyan FM, Shaa FM and Sun FM are its sisterstations. As per the research conducted by the Kantar Lanka MarketResearch Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017, Hiru FM has alistenership of 10.31 percent.

In 2007, the Sri Lankan government suspended ABC’s radiobroadcasting licenses on two objections: firstly, that although ABC’slicenses were issued on 17 November 1995, the company had onlybeen incorporated in November; secondly, that ABC hadbroadcasted an erroneous report during the country’s armed conflict. Despite ABC issuing an apology andattempting to rectify the erroneous report, the government proceeded with the suspension on the groundsthat it was reportedly a “gross violation of the freedom of expression”. Moreover, the Supreme Court dismissedABC’s fundamental rights petition and ordered Chairperson Rayynor Silva to pay a Rs. 250,000 (2,259.99 USD)cash bail for submitting a false affidavit to the Supreme Court which had reportedly suppressed the initialerroneous news content ABC had broadcasted. Several media-related groups such as Reporters WithoutBorders (RSF) and the Free Media Movement (FMM) however widely condemned the suspension.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


10.31%

Private

National

Free to air





384 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureHiru FM is owned by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, a memberof Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited. The total shares of the company areowned by Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited. Notably, Skyline Pacific RealEstate (Pvt) Limited is wholly owned by the Silva family, particularly byChairperson Rayynor Silva (33.33%), his mother (33.33%) and father (33.33%).




Facts



385 / 1471






General Information

1998

The radio station was founded by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited,which is owned by Rayynor Silva. Rayynor Silva is a well-known businessmanin the broadcasting field of Sri Lanka. He is the Chairperson of AsiaBroadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, which remains one of the largestradio networks in the country. He took over Asia Broadcasting Corporation(Pvt) Limited after the UK-based Sunrise Group closed down their operationsin both the UK and Sri Lanka. Rayynor’s brother Vincent Silva serves as thecurrent CEO of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. Meanwhile,former Member of Parliament Duminda Silva is also Rayynor Silva’s brother.The Supreme Court on 11 October 2018 dismissed the appeal filed by formerMember of Parliament Duminda Silva for the murder of former Member ofParliament, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.

Vincent Silva is the CEO of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. He isthe brother of Chairperson Rayynor Silva and former Member of Parliament,Duminda Silva, who was sentenced to death for the murder of formerMember of Parliament, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. Vincent alsoserves as a Director in Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited, which was thesole shareholder of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited until March2018.

Chandima Sooriyaarachchi – Director Programming

Sudewa Hettiarachchi is the Director of News at Hiru TV and Hiru FM. Heentered Sri Lanka’s media sphere at an early age as a dubbing artist in RadioCeylon’s ‘Lama Pitiya’. He joined Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limitedin 1998. He was reportedly the pioneering anchor of Hiru FM’s morningprogramme.


Website: www.hirufm.lk

Founding Year





Contact



386 / 1471


http://http//www.hirufm.lk/

http://www.hirufm.lk/




Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Commercial High Court issue order on Hiru FM’s DJ Ara and Pasbara in

Intellectual Property Right by the Daily FT (2018), Accessed on 21

September 2018

Dilani wins fourth truck offered by Hiru FM by Hiru News (2018), Accessed


Hiru TV and Hiru FM win all the top media awards at the SLIM Nielsen

People’s Awards 2016 by Hiru News (2016), Accessed on 21 September

2018

Appeal in ABC suspension case by the Sunday Times (2007), Accessed on 8

September 2018

Hiru silence condemned by BBC Sinhala (2007), Accessed on 7 September

2018

SC dismisses rights plea by The Island (2007), Accessed on 7 September

2018

Headlines



387 / 1471

http://www.ft.lk/business/Commercial-High-Court-issue-order-on-Hiru-FM-s--DJ-Ara--and--Pasbara--in-Intellectual-Property-Right/34-646385

http://www.hirunews.lk/196381/dilani-wins-fourth-truck-offered-by-hiru-fm

http://www.hirunews.lk/129450/hiru-tv-fm-win-all-top-media-awards-at-slim-nielsen-peoples-2016

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/071028/News/news0009.html

https://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2007/10/071029_fmm.shtml

http://www.island.lk/2007/11/02/news9.html



Information on Hiru FM was obtained through the official website of the radiostation as well as secondary sources. However, information on theChairperson Rayynor Silva was accessible on the official website of RayynorSilva Holdings (Pvt) Limited. Details about the ownership structure weregathered through the annual returns available at the Department of Registrarof Companies. The designations of the key individuals at Hiru FM wereconfirmed upon contacting the station directly and also speaking with theDirector of Programming. Listenership data was obtained from the KantarLanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January-November). While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reached outto Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited by formally requesting for thecompany’s information on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request. The Central Bank’s average exchange rate for 2007(110.62) was used to convert the amounts into USD.

Official website of Hiru FM, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Official website of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, Accessed


Official website of Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited, Accessed on 21

September 2018

Duminda’s life in jeopardized (sic) if he is not provided with a hygienic

environment and calm mental state, father of R Duminda Silva – Lal Silva

mentions to a national newspaper by Hiru News (2017), Accessed on 21

September 2018

Reporters Without Borders Annual Report – 2007 Sri Lanka by Refworld,


ABC MD in hot water for misleading court: pettition dismissed by the Daily

News (2007), Accessed on 7 September 2018

Court upholds withdrawal of ABC's licence, says group's president tried to

mislead it by Reporters Without Borders (2007), Accessed on 7 September

2018

SC dismisses appeal filed against Duminda Silva’s death penalty by the

Daily FT (2018), Accessed on 12 October 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



388 / 1471



http://rayynorsilvaholdings.com/

http://www.hirunews.lk/157767/dumindas-life-in-jeopardized-if-he-provided-hygienic-environment-calm-mental-state-father-r-duminda-silva-lal-mentions-to-national-newspaper

http://www.refworld.org/docid/46e692bb1c.html

http://archives.dailynews.lk/2007/11/02/news02.asp

https://rsf.org/en/news/court-upholds-withdrawal-abcs-licence-says-groups-president-tried-mislead-it

http://www.ft.lk/news/SC-dismisses-appeal-filed-against-Duminda-Silva-s-death-penalty/56-664538






389 / 1471




Gold FMGold FM is an English language radio station that provides nation-wide transmission and targets a more mature audience by playingmusic from the 1960s to the 1990s. Launched in September 1998,its sister channels are Hiru FM, Sun FM, Shaa FM and Sooriyan FM.These channels are collectively owned by the Asia BroadcastingCorporation (Pvt) Limited (ABC), which is listed as a subsidiary ofRayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited as per the latter’s officialwebsite.

In 2007, the Sri Lankan government suspended ABC’s radiobroadcasting licenses on two objections: firstly, that although ABC’slicenses were issued on 17 November 1995, the company had onlybeen incorporated in November; secondly, that ABC had broadcasted an erroneous report during the country’sarmed conflict. Despite ABC having issued an apology and attempted to rectify the erroneous report, thegovernment proceeded with the suspension on the grounds that it was reportedly a “gross violation of thefreedom of expression”. Moreover, the Supreme Court dismissed ABC’s fundamental rights petition andordered Chairperson Rayynor Silva to pay a Rs. 250,000 (2,259.99 USD) cash bail for submitting a false affidavitto the Supreme Court which had reportedly suppressed the initial erroneous news content ABC hadbroadcasted. Several media-related groups such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Free MediaMovement (FMM) however widely condemned the suspension.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


0.69%

Private

National

Free to air





390 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureGold FM is owned by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, a memberof Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited. The total shares of the company areowned by Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited. Notably, Skyline Pacific RealEstate (Pvt) Limited is wholly owned by the Silva family, particularly byChairperson Rayynor Silva (33.33%), his mother (33.33%) and father (33.33%).




Facts



391 / 1471






General Information


1998

The radio station was founded by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited,which is owned by Rayynor Silva. Rayynor Silva is a well-known businessmanin the broadcasting field of Sri Lanka. He is the Chairperson of AsiaBroadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, which remains one of the largestradio networks in the country. He took over Asia Broadcasting Corporation(Pvt) Limited after the UK-based Sunrise Group closed down their operationsin both the UK and Sri Lanka. Rayynor’s brother Vincent Silva serves as thecurrent CEO of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. Meanwhile,former Member of Parliament Duminda Silva is also Rayynor Silva’s brother.On 11 October 2018 the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed byDuminda Silva for the murder of former Member of Parliament, BharathaLakshman Premachandra.


Missing Data

Prasad Karunarathne is the General Manager of Asia BroadcastingCorporation (Pvt) Limited

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, 35th Floor, East Tower WorldTrade Center, Colombo 01.Tel: +94 11 2 337 555Fax: (+94) 112 346 870E-mail : [email protected]

Website: www.goldfm.lk

Founding Year





Contact



392 / 1471


http://http//www.goldfm.lk/

http://www.goldfm.lk/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Gold FM Presents The 70’s Show by LifeOnline (n.d.), Accessed on 30

September 2018

Celebrating 14 years of entertainment with Gold FM by the Daily FT (2012),


Duminda's father discusses his plight by The Island (2017), Accessed on 3

September 2018


September 2018


2018

SC dismisses rights plea, The Island. Accessed in September 2018

Headlines



393 / 1471

http://life.dailymirror.lk/article/reviews/gold-fm-presents-the-70s-show/56/7018

http://www.ft.lk/lifestyle/celebrating-14-years-of-entertainment-with-gold-fm/8-111043







Information on Gold FM was obtained through the official website of the radiostation as well as secondary sources. However, information on theChairperson Rayynor Silva was accessible on the official website of RayynorSilva Holdings (Pvt) Limited. Details about the ownership structure weregathered through the annual returns available at the Department of Registrarof Companies. Listenership data was obtained from the Kantar Lanka MarketResearch Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January- November). While theMedia Ownership Monitor research team reached out to Asia BroadcastingCorporation (Pvt) Limited by formally requesting for the company’sinformation on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request. The Central Bank’s average exchange rate for 2007(110.62) was used to convert the amounts into USD.

Official website of Gold FM, Accessed on 3 September 2018


on 3 September 2018


September 2018

LinkedIn profile of Prasad Karunarathne, Accessed 3 September 2018

Official website of White Lotus Fashions (Pvt) Limited, Accessed on 7

September 2018

Find source of ABC news item, SC directs by the Daily News (2008),


ABC MD in hot water for misleading court: petition dismissed by the Daily


Court upholds withdrawal of ABC's license, says group's president tried to


2018



Guide to Media 2017

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



394 / 1471

http://www.goldfm.lk/



https://www.linkedin.com/in/chamilaprasad/

http://www.whitelotus.lk/








Hiru NewsHiru News is a trilingual news website under Asia BroadcastingCorporation (Pvt) Limited (ABC). The company is listed as a memberof Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited on the latter's officialwebsite. Hiru News publishes news content ranging from domesticaffairs to international news, as well as business, sports andentertainment. Sharing its name with Hiru FM and Hiru TV, HiruNews provides links to all the media-related outlets under ABC,including its sister website, Hiru Gossip.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

Private

International

Free





395 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureHiru News is owned by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, amember of Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited. The total shares of thecompany are owned by Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited. Notably,Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited is wholly owned by the Silva family,particularly by Chairperson Rayynor Silva (33.33%), his mother (33.33%) andfather (33.33%).




Facts



396 / 1471






General Information


Missing Data

Hiru News was founded under Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limitedwhich is owned by Rayynor Silva. Rayynor Silva is a well-known businessmanin the broadcasting field of Sri Lanka. He is the Chairperson of AsiaBroadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, which remains one of the largestradio networks in the country. He took over Asia Broadcasting Corporation(Pvt) Limited after the UK-based Sunrise Group closed down their operationsin both the UK and Sri Lanka. Rayynor’s brother Vincent Silva serves as thecurrent CEO of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. Meanwhile,former Minister of Parliament Duminda Silva is also Rayynor Silva’s brother.On 11 October 2018 the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed byDuminda Silva for the murder of former Member of Parliament, BharathaLakshman Premachandra.


Sudewa Hettiarachchi is the Directors of News at Hiru TV and Hiru FM. Heentered Sri Lanka’s media sphere at an early age as a dubbing artist in RadioCeylon’s ‘Lama Pitiya’. He joined Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limitedin 1998. He was reportedly the pioneering anchor of Hiru FM’s morningprogramme.

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited35th Floor, East Tower WorldTrade Center, Colombo 1Tel: +94 11 2 337 555Fax: (+94) 112 346 870E-mail : [email protected]

Website: www.hirunews.lk

Founding Year




Contact



397 / 1471


http://http//www.hirunews.lk/

http://www.hirunews.lk/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Hiru News - Sri Lanka’s number 1 TV news bulletin – @ 6.55 tonight by

Hiru News (2018), Accessed on 26 September 2018

While the Hiru News website provides information about Asia BroadcastingCorporation (Pvt) Limited and Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited, it does notprovide information on the founding year of the channel. Although the HiruNews team did not mention the founding year of the website upon contactingthem, they confirmed the designations that have been cited by the MOMresearch team. Information on the shareholders was gathered through theDepartment of Registrar of Companies.

Official website of Hiru News, Accessed on 26 September 2018

Official website of Asia Broadcasting Corporation Limited, Accessed on 26

September 2018


September 2016

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources



398 / 1471

http://www.hirunews.lk/200795/hiru-news-sri-lankas-number-1-tv-news-bulletin-6-55-tonight






Sooriyan FMSooriyan FM is a Tamil language radio station which is managed byAsia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. On its official website,Sooriyan FM lists itself as the first private Tamil language radiostation in the country. Founded by Rayynor Silva, Sooriyan FM hasseveral sister stations including Hiru FM, Shaa FM, Gold FM and SunFM. As per the research conducted by the Kantar Lanka MarketResearch Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017, the listenership of thestation is 9.47 percent.

In 2007, the Sri Lankan government suspended ABC’s radio broadcasting licenses on two objections: firstly, thatalthough ABC’s licenses were issued on 17 November 1995, the company had only been incorporated inNovember; secondly, that ABC had broadcasted an erroneous report during the country’s armed conflict.Despite ABC issuing an apology and attempting to rectify the erroneous report, the government proceededwith the suspension on the grounds that it was reportedly a “gross violation of the freedom of expression”.Moreover, the Supreme Court dismissed ABC’s fundamental rights petition and ordered Chairperson RayynorSilva to pay a Rs. 250,000 (2,259.99 USD) cash bail for submitting a false affidavit to the Supreme Court whichhad reportedly suppressed the initial erroneous news content ABC had broadcasted. Several media-relatedgroups such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Free Media Movement (FMM) however widelycondemned the suspension.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


9.47%

Private

National

Free to air





399 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureSooriyan FM is owned by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, amember of Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited. The total shares of thecompany are owned by Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited. Notably,Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited is wholly owned by the Silva family,particularly by Chairperson Rayynor Silva (33.33%), his mother (33.33%) andfather (33.33%).




Facts



400 / 1471






General Information

1998

The radio station was founded by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited,which is owned by Rayynor Silva. Rayynor Silva is a well-known businessmanin the broadcasting field of Sri Lanka. He is the Chairperson of AsiaBroadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, which remains one of the largestradio networks in the country. He took over Asia Broadcasting Corporation(Pvt) Limited after the UK-based Sunrise Group closed down their operationsin both the UK and Sri Lanka. Rayynor’s brother Vincent Silva serves as thecurrent CEO of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. Meanwhile,former Member of Parliament Duminda Silva is also Rayynor Silva’s brother.On 11 October 2018 the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed byDuminda Silva for the murder of former Member of Parliament, BharathaLakshman Premachandra.


A.R.V. Loshan is the current Director of Programming. For more than 14 years,he has served as a journalist in Sri Lanka’s media sphere. In addition to this,he has held the post of Senior Programme Executive of Shakthi FM andShakthi TV, part of The Capital Maharaja Organisation, as well as the Head ofof Vettri FM.

Missing Data

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, 35th Floor, East Tower WorldTrade Center, Colombo 01Tel: +94 11 2 337 555Fax: (+94) 112 346 870E-mail : [email protected]

Website: www.sooriyanfm.lk

Founding Year





Contact



401 / 1471


http://https//www.sooriyanfm.lk/

https://www.sooriyanfm.lk/




Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Celebrating 15 years of entertainment with Sooriyan FM by the Daily FT


Guruparan of Sooriyan FM missing: so far no clue by Asian Tribute (2006),


Sooriyan FM celebrates 15th Anniversary by Hiru News (2013), Accessed



September 2018


2018


2018

Headlines



402 / 1471

http://www.ft.lk/ft-lite/celebrating-15-years-of-entertainment-with-sooriyan-fm/6-175448

http://www.asiantribune.com/node/1766

http://www.hirunews.lk/63693/sooriyan-fm-celebrates-15th-anniversary






Information on Sooriyan FM was obtained through the official website of theradio station as well as secondary sources. However, information on theChairperson Rayynor Silva was accessible on the official website of RayynorSilva Holdings (Pvt) Limited. Details about the ownership structure weregathered through the annual returns available at the Department of Registrarof Companies. The designations of the key individuals at Sooriyan FM wereconfirmed upon contacting the station directly and also speaking with theDirector of Programming. Listenership data was obtained from the KantarLanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January-November). While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reached outto Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited by formally requesting for thecompany’s information on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request. The Central Bank’s average exchange rate for 2007(110.62) was used to convert the amounts into USD.

Celebrating 15 years of entertainment with Sooriyan FM by the Daily FT


Guruparan of Sooriyan FM missing: so far no clue by Asian Tribute (2006),


Sooriyan FM celebrates 15th Anniversary by Hiru News (2013), Accessed


Govt. failed to protect journalists by BBC Sinhala (2006), Accessed on 21

September 2018




September 2018






2018

Meta Data

Sources



403 / 1471

http://www.ft.lk/ft-lite/celebrating-15-years-of-entertainment-with-sooriyan-fm/6-175448

http://www.asiantribune.com/node/1766

http://www.hirunews.lk/63693/sooriyan-fm-celebrates-15th-anniversary

https://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2006/08/060829_guruparan.shtml








SC dismisses rights plea, The Island (2007), Accessed in September 2018



2018






404 / 1471







Shaa FMSinhala language radio station Shaa FM caters to the Sri Lankanyouth and it is managed by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt)Limited (ABC), which is listed as a subsidiary of Rayynor SilvaHoldings (Pvt) Limited as per the official websites of bothcompanies. ABC also manages several other media outlets includingHiru FM, Gold FM, Sun FM, Sooriyan FM and Hiru TV. Akin to itssister stations, Shaa FM features news segments and various talkshows.

In 2007, the Sri Lankan government suspended ABC’s radiobroadcasting licenses on two objections: firstly, that although ABC’slicenses were issued on 17 November 1995, the company had onlybeen incorporated in November; secondly, that ABC had broadcasted an erroneous report during the country’sarmed conflict. Despite ABC having issued an apology and attempted to rectify the erroneous report, thegovernment proceeded with the suspension on the grounds that it was reportedly a “gross violation of thefreedom of expression”. Moreover, the Supreme Court dismissed ABC’s fundamental rights petition andordered Chairperson Rayynor Silva to pay a Rs. 250,000 (2,259.99 USD) cash bail for submitting a false affidavitto the Supreme Court which had reportedly suppressed the initial erroneous news content ABC hadbroadcasted. Several media-related groups such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Free MediaMovement (FMM) however widely condemned the suspension.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


3.93%

Private

National

Free to air





405 / 1471




Ownership

Ownership StructureShaa FM is owned by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, a memberof Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited. The total shares of the company areowned by Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited. Notably, Skyline Pacific RealEstate (Pvt) Limited is wholly owned by the Silva family, particularly byChairperson Rayynor Silva (33.33%), his mother (33.33%) and father (33.33%).




Facts



406 / 1471






General Information

2002

The radio station was founded by Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited,which is owned by Rayynor Silva. Rayynor Silva is a well-known businessmanin the broadcasting field of Sri Lanka. He is the Chairperson of AsiaBroadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, which remains one of the largestradio networks in the country. He took over Asia Broadcasting Corporation(Pvt) Limited after the UK-based Sunrise Group closed down their operationsin both the UK and Sri Lanka. Rayynor’s brother Vincent Silva serves as thecurrent CEO of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. Meanwhile,former Minister of Parliament Duminda Silva is also Rayynor Silva’s brother.The Supreme Court on 11 October 2018 dismissed the appeal filed by formerMember of Parliament Duminda Silva for the murder of former Member ofParliament, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.


Kevin Nadira Silva - Channel Head

Sudewa Hettiarachchi is the Head of News at Shaa FM, Hiru TV and Hiru FM.He entered Sri Lanka’s media sphere at an early age as a dubbing artist inRadio Ceylon’s ‘Lama Pitiya’. He joined Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt)Limited in 1998. He was reportedly the pioneering anchor of Hiru FM’smorning programme.

Kanil Jayaratne – Technical Editor in Chief / Engineering Director

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) LimitedNo. 35th Floor, East Tower, World Trade Center, Colombo 1Tel: +94 112 686 670 / 114 385 882Email: [email protected]

Website: www.shaafm.lk

Founding Year





Contact



407 / 1471


http://http//www.shaafm.lk/

http://www.shaafm.lk/




Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Shaa FM's First Stage Vaalampuri Program which Gave Rise to Millionaires

Photos by Hiru News (2015), Accessed on 4 September 2018

Duminda’s father discusses his plight by The Island (2017), Accessed on 4

September 2018


September 2018


2018

SC dismisses the rights plea by The Island, Accessed on September 2018

The official website of Shaa FM does not provide information regarding thestation’s ownership. However, the website provides a brief description aboutthe station. In general, there is limited information available on the station.Ownership details were gathered through the annual returns available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies. Listenership data was obtained fromthe Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January-November). While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reached outto Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited by formally requesting for thecompany’s information on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request. The Central Bank’s average exchange rate for 2007(110.62) was used to convert the amounts into USD.

Headlines

Meta Data



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http://www.hirunews.lk/122134/shaa-fms-first-stage-vaalampuri-program-which-gave-rise-to-millionaires-photos








on 4 September 2018

Official website of Shaa FM, Accessed on 4 September 2018

LinkedIn profile of Sudewa Hettiarachchi, Accessed on 4 September 2018

LinkedIn profile of Chamila Prasad, Accessed on 4 September 2018

Official website of Rayynor Silva, Accessed on 4 September 2018







2018

Guide to Media 2017

Sources

Documents



409 / 1471

http://www.asiabroadcasting.lk/about_us.php

http://www.shaafm.lk/contact-us.html

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sudewa-hettiarachchi-42909369/


http://www.rayynorsilva.com/







Sunday ObserverSunday Observer is a weekly English language newspaper that ispublished by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL/Lake House), which is owned by the state. ANCL presently has 99shareholders of which the Department of Public Trustee on behalfof the Sri Lankan Government is the majority shareholder. Asidefrom this, 10 institutions and 88 individuals also hold shares. TheSunday Observer newspaper is considered to be the oldest SriLankan newspaper in circulation, as it was first published in 1834 and later renamed to Colombo Observer. Thisis besides the Government Gazette, which was initially disseminated as a newspaper during the Britishadministration, although it is presently published to officially inform the public. With an audience share of 2.18percent, the Sunday Observer features content on local political news, international news, sports,entertainment and business. The daily edition of the paper, known as Daily News has an audience share of0.57% and is the most read English daily newspaper.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


2.75%

State owned

National

Paid Content

ANCL




410 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureSunday Observer is published by the Associated Newspapers of CeylonLimited, also known as Lake House, which is a state-owned institution.Initially, Lake House was established by D.R. Wijewardene, and consisted of 7newspapers. After his death in 1956, the editorial policies were overlooked byEsmond Wickremasinghe, his son-in-law. In 1973, the government of SirimavoBandaranaike nationalised the company through the Associated Newspapersof Ceylon (Special Provisions) Act No.28. A.K. Premadasa was appointed as thefirst Chairperson. Presently, there are 99 shareholders which includes theDepartment of Public Trustee, 10 institutions and 88 individuals. These 88individuals include several members who are related to the founders of ANCL,including the present Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe who owns 0.19percent of shares. The highest number of shares is held by the Department ofPublic Trustee on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. The Department ofPublic Trustee comes within the ambit of the Ministry of Justice and PrisonReforms.


Individual OwnerThe Government 87.6%

Group / Individual OwnerCeylon Petroleum CorporationThe Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was established by Act. No. 28 of 1961 inparliament and remains Sri Lanka’s national oil and gas company.

1.8%

Ceylon Shipping CorporationThe Ceylon Shipping Corporation Limited was established in 1971 under ActNo. 11 of 1971. Although established in 1971, it became a fully state-ownedcompany in 1992.

0.9%



411 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/the-government/




ANCL


Facts

General Information

1928

Don Richard Wijewardene, also referred to as D.R. Wijewardene, establishedthe Lake House newspapers and played a key role in Sri Lanka’sindependence movement. He entered the political arena in 1913, after beingelected as the Secretary of the Ceylon National Association. In 1914,Wijewardene, along with his brother, acquired Dinamina, a Sinhala languagedaily, and thereafter took over the English language daily, The Ceylonese, andre-named it to ‘Ceylon Daily News’. This was followed by the publication ofThinakaran, a Tamil language daily. In 1926, these newspapers wereconsolidated under the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL). Thisinstitution is presently owned by the state and publishes seven newspapers,namely, Daily News, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Resa, Sunday Observer, Siluminaand Vaaramanjari.The following well-known personalities are related to Wijewardene:

Ranjit Wijewardene is D.R. Wijewardene’s son and the founder as well as theCEO of Wijeya Newspapers Limited.

Founding Year




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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/ancl/




Ruwan Wijewardene is D.R. Wijewardene’s grandson and the incumbent StateMinister of Defence.

Ranil Wickremesinghe is also D.R. Wijewardene’s grandson. He is theincumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and Leader of the UNP.Shan Wickremesinghe, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s brother, is the incumbentChairperson of Telshan Networks (Pvt) Limited (TNL), a media company.

Upali Wijewardene is D.R. Wijewardene’s nephew and also the founder ofUpali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited.

J.R. Jayawardene is D.R. Wijewardene’s nephew, and served as the FirstExecutive President of Sri Lanka.

Krishantha Prasad Cooray, also referred to as Krishantha Cooray, is thecurrent Chairperson of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL,also known as Lake House). He has previously held executive positions at theCeylinco Group, Richard Peiris Group and The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited where he oversaw the news broadcasts by the company’s TV andradio stations. He reportedly played a key role in establishing the Rivira MediaCorporation (Pvt) Limited under the Richard Peiris Group and served there asfounding Director and CEO. The Nation and Rivira were launched under hisdirection. However, Rivira ceased its English publication, The Nation, in 2017.

Dharisha Bastians is the Editor of the Sunday Observer and a member of theForeign Correspondents Association (FCA) of Sri Lanka. She has previouslyworked for several English language newspapers such as the Daily Mirror,Daily Financial Times (Daily FT), Ceylon Today and The Nation. She is also aNew York Times correspondent in Sri Lanka. Dharisha is widely known for herreports written during Sri Lanka’s armed conflict.

Ananda Kumar – Deputy Editor

No 35, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10General: 011 2 429 429, 011 2 421 181, 011 2 331 181Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sundayobserver.lk




Contact



413 / 1471


http://http//www.sundayobserver.lk/

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Lalith to Daily News and Lakshman to Sunday Observer,

Lankanewsweb.net (2015), Accessed on 2 August 2018

A cry for justice in the face of horror, Sunday Times (2008), Accessed on 2

August 2018

New editors to Lake house newspapers, The Tamil Diplomat (2015),


A new Model totalitarian, newmatilda.com (2009), Accessed on 2 August

2018

Two senior journalists tender registrations, Colombo Telegraph (2016),


Pathfinder Foundation, CICIR launch book of essays on Sri Lanka – China

relations, Daily FT (2018), Accessed on 2 August 2018

Krishantha Cooray becomes Lake House Chairman, Asian Mirror (2017),


Dharisha Bastian appointed as editor of Sunday Observer, Asian Mirror


Krishantha Cooray takes over as Lake House chairman, Daily FT (2017),


Headlines



414 / 1471

http://archive.lankanewsweb.net/news/10025-lalith-to-daily-news-lakshman-to-sunday-observer


http://tamildiplomat.com/new-editors-to-lake-house-newspapers/

https://newmatilda.com/2009/07/09/new-model-totalitarian/

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/overhaul-at-state-run-observer-two-senior-journalists-tender-resignations/

http://www.ft.lk/news/Pathfinder-Foundation--CICIR-launch-book-of-essays-on-Sri-Lanka-China-relations/56-647443

http://asianmirror.lk/news/item/24533-krishantha-cooray-becomes-lake-house-chairman

http://www.asianmirror.lk/news/item/27387-new-york-times-reporter-dharisha-bastians-appointed-editor-of-sri-lanka-government-propaganda-newspaper-sunday-observer

http://www.ft.lk/article/628837/Krishantha-Cooray-takes-over-as-Lake-House-Chairman%202



The official website of the Sunday Observer has minimal information on thepublishing house and the organisational structure. Most of the data wasextracted from the official website of the Associated Newspapers CeylonLimited (Lake House), which houses the Sunday Observer, as well as theannual returns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. Themost recently available data was for the year 2016. While the MediaOwnership Monitor research team reached out to ANCL by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request. Readership data was obtainedfrom the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017.

Official website of the Lake House Group, Accessed on 2 August 2018

Pathfinder Foundation, CICIR launch book of essays on Sri Lanka – China

relations by the Daily FT (2018), Accessed on 2 August 2018

Sunday Observer marks another milestone by the Sunday Observer


Death of Sunday Observer news editor Ranil Wijayapala by the Sunday

Observer (2017), Accessed on 2 August 2018

Sunday Observer notches 87 by the Sunday Observer (2015), Accessed on

2 August 2018

Dharisha Bastian appointed as editor of Sunday Observer by the Asian

Mirror (2018), Accessed on 18 September 2018

40th Observer Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year awards by the

Daily News (2018), Accessed on 21 September 2018

New York Times Exposé: Govt. must come clean by The Island (2018),


New York Times Reporter Dharisha Bastians Appointed Editor Of Sri Lanka

Government Propaganda Newspaper ‘Sunday Observer’ by Politicalmanac


Krishantha Cooray Appointed to Board of DFCC Bank as Independent

Director (2015), Accessed on 19 September 2018

Meta Data

Sources



415 / 1471

http://www.lakehouse.lk/about/our-history

http://www.ft.lk/news/Pathfinder-Foundation--CICIR-launch-book-of-essays-on-Sri-Lanka-China-relations/56-647443

http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2013/02/03/fea04.asp

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2017/10/15/news/death-sunday-observer-news-editor-ranil-wijayapala

http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2015/02/01/fea05.asp

http://www.asianmirror.lk/news/item/27387-new-york-times-reporter-dharisha-bastians-appointed-editor-of-sri-lanka-government-propaganda-newspaper-sunday-observer

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/07/04/local/155826/40th-observer-mobitel-schoolboy-cricketer-year-awards?page=40


http://tkm.politicalmanac.com/feed-items/new-york-times-reporter-dharisha-bastians-appointed-editor-of-sri-lanka-government-propaganda-newspaper-sunday-observer/

http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/39567



Two senior journalists tender registrations, Colombo Telegraph (2016),


Guide to Media 2017


Documents



416 / 1471

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/overhaul-at-state-run-observer-two-senior-journalists-tender-resignations/





SiluminaSilumina is a weekly Sinhala language newspaper published by thestate-owned Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL/LakeHouse). Commencing its publication in 1930, the paper currentlyfeatures news content on local and foreign affairs, sports, businessand finance. As per the readership survey conducted by the KantarLanka Market Research Bureau for the year 2017, the paper has areadership of 1.92 percent. It’s daily edition, Dinamina has anaudience share of 0.73 percent.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


2.65%

State owned

National

Paid Content

ANCL




417 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureSilumina is managed by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, alsoknown as Lake House, which is a state-owned institution as per theAssociated Newspapers of Ceylon (Special Provisions) Act No. 28. It wasinitially established by D.R. Wijewardene and consisted of 7 newspapers. Afterhis death in 1956, the editorial policies were overlooked by his son-in-lawEsmond Wickremasinghe. In 1973, the government of Sirimavo Bandaranaikenationalised the company through the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon(Special Provisions) Act No.28. A. K. Premadasa was appointed its firstChairperson. At present, there are 99 shareholders which includes theDepartment of Public Trustee, 10 institutions and 88 individuals. These 88individuals include several members who are related to the founders of ANCL,including the present Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe who owns 0.19percent of shares. The highest number of shares is held by the Department ofPublic Trustee on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. The Department ofPublic Trustee comes within the ambit of the Ministry of Justice and PrisonReforms.




1.8%


0.9%



418 / 1471





ANCL


Facts

General Information

1930

Don Richard Wijewardene, also referred to as D.R. Wijewardene, establishedthe Lake House newspapers and played a key role in Sri Lanka’sindependence movement. In 1914 Wijewardena along with his brotheracquired Dinamina, a Sinhala language daily and thereafter took over theEnglish language daily, The Ceylonese and re-named it to ‘Ceylon Daily News’.Which was then followed by the publication of Thinakaran a Tamil languagedaily. In 1926 these newspapers were consolidated under AssociatedNewspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL). This institution is presently owned bythe state and publishes seven newspapers, namely, Daily News, Dinamina,Thinakaran, Resa, Sunday Observer, Silumina and Vaaramanjari. Wijewardeneentered the political arena in 1913, after being elected the Secretary of theCeylon National Association. His Brother in law Sir Francis Molamure was thefirst speaker of the State Council and his nephew J R Jayewardene was aformer President of Sri Lanka. The following well-known personalities arerelated to Wijewardene:

Founding Year




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Ranil Wickremesinghe is also D.R. Wijewardene’s grandson. He is theincumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and Leader of the UNP.Shan Wickremesinghe, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s brother, is the incumbentChairperson of Telshan Networks (Pvt) Limited (TNL), a media company.


Krishantha Prasad Cooray, also referred to as Krishantha Cooray, is thecurrent Chairperson of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL,also known as Lake House). He has previously held executive positions atCeylinco Group, Richard Peiris Group and the Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited where he oversaw the news broadcasts by the company’s TV andradio stations. He reportedly played a key role in establishing the Rivira MediaCorporation (Pvt) Limited under the Richard Peiris Group and served there asfounding Director and CEO. The Nation and Rivira were launched under hisdirection. However, Rivira ceased its English publication, The Nation, in 2017.

Chaminda Wariyagoda

Associated Newspapers of Ceylon LimitedNo. 35, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10General: 011 2 429 429, 011 2 421 181, 011 2 331 181Email: [email protected]

Website: www.silumina.lk



Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





420 / 1471


http://http//www.silumina.lk/

http://www.silumina.lk/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share

Silumina Editor passes away by the Sunday Observer (2018), Accessed on

21 September 2018

'Silumina', 'Resa' Editor-In-Chief Chamara Lakshan passes away by the


‘Silumina & Irida Lankadeepa’ Interview Commander of the Army (2018) by

the Sri Lanka Army, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Silumina editor passes away by the Sunday Times (2018), Accessed on 21

September 2018

PM’s message on death of Silumina editor by The Island (2018), Accessed

on 21 September (2018)

Information on the shareholders was gathered through the annual returnsavailable at the Department of Registrar of Companies. While the MediaOwnership Monitor research team reached out to the Associated Newspapersof Ceylon Limited by formally requesting for the company’s information on 20July 2018, the company did not respond to the aforementioned request.Readership data was obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market ResearchBureau (LMRB) for the year 2017.

Official website of Silumina, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Lake House official website, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Guide to Media 2017


Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



421 / 1471

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2018/07/01/news/silumina-editor-passes-away

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/06/30/local/155456/silumina-resa-editor-chief-chamara-lakshan-passes-away

http://www.army.lk/news/%E2%80%98silumina-irida-lankadeepa%E2%80%99-interview-commander-army

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180701/news/silumina-editor-passes-away-300359.html








Independent Television Network(ITN)The Independent Television Network (ITN), which beganbroadcasting on 13 April 1979, is considered to be the pioneer TVchannel in Sri Lanka. Although ITN Limited, the company thatinitially owned the channel, commenced its operations as a privatesector company in April 1979, it was nationalised by the GazetteExtraordinary No. 39/4 of June 1979. Since its amalgamation as astate-owned public company, all of its 9,500,000 shares are vestedin the Secretary to the Treasury of the Government of Sri Lanka. Thisbody comes under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and MassMedia.

The ITN channel primarily broadcasts content in the Sinhala language and its sister channel, Vasantham TV,broadcasts content in the Tamil language. For the year 2017, ITN had an audience reach of 7.0 percent. Ittransmits on a 20-hour schedule and features news and current affairs, teledramas, educational programmes,discussion shows and a component of imported English programmes, which mainly features films and drama.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


7.00%

State owned

National

Free to air

ITN




422 / 1471



ITN

Ownership

Ownership StructureWhile the Independent Television Network (ITN) was nationalised by theGazette Extraordinary No. 39/4 of June 1979, it was brought under the SriLanka Rupavahini Corporation Act no. 6 of 1982 which is presently under theMinistry of Finance and Mass Media. The Secretary to the Treasury owns 100percent of shares of the Independent Television Network Limited (ITN) whichhouses Vasantham TV. This body comes under the purview of the Ministry ofFinance and Mass Media.


Individual OwnerThe Government 100%


Facts



423 / 1471



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/itn/



General Information

1979

Shan Wickremesinghe is the eldest son of Esmond Wickremesinghe and NaliniWickremesinghe (nee Wijewardene). His brother is Ranil Wickremesinghe,who is the incumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the Leader of theUnited National Party (UNP). Shan founded the Independent TelevisionNetwork (ITN) in 1979. At the time, ITN was reportedly the first private TVstation in the country. Shan's uncle, J.R. Jayawardene, was Sri Lanka’s firstExecutive President under the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. Under J.R.Jayawardene’s government, ITN was converted into a state-owned property in1979. Shan’s maternal grandfather, D.R. Wijewardene, established the LakeHouse Group, which became the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited(ANCL). Currently, Shan serves as the Chairperson of Telshan Networks (Pvt)Limited, which owns the TNL TV channel and radio station.

Chandana Thilakarathna is the CEO of Independent Television NetworkLimited (ITN). He served as a Senior Consultant at China Radio International.Before joining ITN, he served as the CEO for Sath FM.

Subash Jayawardena is the Chief Editor of News at ITN.

J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara was appointed the Chairperson of ITN in May 2018.She is the Additional Secretary (Development/ Planning) of the Ministry ofFinance and Mass Media. She has previously held the following positions:

Director and Liaison Officer of the Asia Productivity Organisation (APO) in SriLanka

Director and Deputy Director of the National Productivity Secretariat (NPS) ofSri Lanka

Head of the National Productivity Organisation of Sri Lanka

Director of Planning, Research and Development within the Ministry ofLabour Relations and Productivity Promotion

Founding Year







424 / 1471




Further Information

The Independent Television Network LimitedWickramasinghepura, Battaramulla10120Tel: +94-11-2774424Website: www.itn.lk

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

ITN to be sold to a powerful minister by News First (2018), Accessed on 8

August 2018

Danushka Ramanayake assume duties as Working Director of ITN by The

Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka (2015), Accessed on 15

September 2018

Esmond Wickremesinghe: A hero in international news media by the

Sunday Observer (2017), Accessed on 13 September 2018

PRECIFAC recommends filing indictment against MR by the Daily News


New State media heads appointed by the Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed 8

August 2018

Headlines



425 / 1471

http://http//www.itn.lk/

http://www.itn.lk/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/07/24/itn-to-be-sold-to-a-powerful-minister-sudarman-radaliyagoda/

https://www.news.lk/news/business/item/5909-danushka-ramanayake-assume-duties-as-working-director-of-itn

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2017/10/01/features/esmond-wickremesinghe-hero-international-news-media

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/01/24/local/140878/precifac-recommends-filing-indictment-against-mr

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/New-state-media-heads-appointed-149897.html



UNP confident of winning 276 LG bodies by the Daily Mirror (2018),


PM tried to protect Mahendran: JVP by the Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed


Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa questioned by Sri

Lanka's anti-graft panel by The Economic Times (2015), Accessed on 15

September 2018

Mahinda summoned before Presidential Commission for political mileage:

MR's Media, Lanka Business Online (2015), Accessed on 15 September

2018

Susil Premajayantha says he has no connection to Mahinda Rajapaksa's

propaganda campaign during the previous presidential election by Hiru


The ownership structure of the Independent Television Network Limited (ITN)is not clearly described on its official website and there is minimal informationon the current CEO, Chandana Thilakarathne. Meanwhile, The Fourth Reportof the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) revealed that from 1September 2016 to 28 February 2017, many operational inefficiencies hadbeen made on advertisements relating to the presidential election campaignsin January 2015. For instance, broadcasting advertisements to the value of Rs.101, 773, 058/- were done free of charge to promote a particular presidentialcampaign. However, the report does not disclose the respective presidentialcampaign promoted by the channel.

Information on ITN’s shareholder structure was gathered through the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The mostrecent data was available for the year 2017. Alternatively, viewership data wasobtained from the Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017.While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reached out to theIndependent Television Network Limited (ITN) by formally requesting for thecompany’s information on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request.

Official website of ITN, Accessed on 13 September 2018

Meta Data

Sources



426 / 1471

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/UNP-confident-of-winning-LG-bodies-145135.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/PM-tried-to-protect-Mahendran-JVP-145306.html

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/former-sri-lankan-president-mahinda-rajapaksa-questioned-by-sri-lankas-anti-graft-panel/articleshow/49076384.cms

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/summoning-mahinda-before-presidential-commission-for-political-mileage-mr-media/

http://www.hirunews.lk/117544/susil-premajayantha-says-he-has-no-connection-to-mahinda-rajapakasas-propaganda-campaign-during-previous-presidential-election

http://www.itn.lk/



Official website of the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media, Accessed on

13 September 2018

Lake House and D.R. Wijewardene: The informative and the pragmatist by

the Daily News (2007), Accessed on 13 September 2018

Biography of late President J.R. Jayawardene, Accessed on 13 September

2018

Official website of TNL, Accessed on 13 September 2018

New State Media head appointed by the Ministry of Mass Media and

Finance (2018), Accessed on 14 September 2018

Internet Usage Among TV Stations: A Case Study of Independent

Television Network (ITN) in Sri Lanka by JAMCO Online International

Symposium (2014), Accessed on 14 September 2018

Attacks on the Press 1999: Sri Lanka by Committee to Protect Journalists


The Current Situation of Sri Lanka TV Media and the Challenges Ahead by

JAMCO Online International Symposium (2014), Accessed on 14

September 2018

Facebook profile of Chandana Thilakarathna, Accessed on 23 September

2018

Guide to Media 2017

New Secretariat Staff at the Asian Productivity Organisation (2014)

Annual Report 2017 by Ministry of Finance

Mid year fiscal report 2018

Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises

Documents



427 / 1471

https://www.media.gov.lk/institutions/department-of-government-information

http://archives.dailynews.lk/2007/02/23/fea04.asp

https://www.britannica.com/biography/J-R-Jayewardene

http://tnltv.lk/

https://www.media.gov.lk/news-archives/1071-new-state-media-heads-appointed

http://www.jamco.or.jp/en/symposium/22/5/

https://cpj.org/2000/03/attacks-on-the-press-1999-sri-lanka.php


https://www.facebook.com/chandana.thilakarathna.37


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5925&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=5582e617d67ad4acbf8a02788dd01c3f

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5926&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=0ce0361370dbfaedf9b9ee7f2bd97053

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5927&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=775f58ad039aa724be8de388bb0b246f

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5928&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=c1ff010c1b7059e6990fb779796c1866



RupavahiniRupavahini is a state-owned Sinhala language channel that comesunder the Sri Lanka Rupavahini (TV) Corporation (SLRC), which wasestablished through the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act, No. 6of 1982. It transmits on a 20-hour schedule, and features news,teledramas, educational programmes, discussion shows and foreignprogrammes. Rupavahini is also credited as being the first SriLankan channel to telecast foreign teledramas. Channel Eye andNethra TV, which telecasts programmes in the languages of Tamiland English, function as the sister channels of Rupavahini.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


4.3%

State owned

National

Free to air

SLRC




428 / 1471



SLRC

Ownership

Ownership StructureThe Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) was established through the SriLanka Rupavahini Corporation Act No. 6 of 1982. Presently, the Rupavahinichannel, Channel Eye and Nethra TV are maintained under the SLRC. Thisbody comes under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media.


Individual OwnerThe Government


Facts

General Information



429 / 1471



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/slrc/




1982

Mapatunage James Perera, the first Chairperson of Rupavahini, is creditedwith being the channel's founder even though the channel was officiallyestablished by the government under the Sri Lanka Rupavahini CorporationAct No. 6 of 1982. Perera also served as the first Director-General of RadioCeylon and Chairperson of the following: Paddy Marketing Board, NationalLibrary Services Board, the state’s Ceylon Fertiliser Manufacturing CompanyLimited and the River Valley Development Board. He has also held the postsof Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Director of the Ministry ofCultural Affairs and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Education.

Enokaa Sathyangani Keerthinanda – has been the Chairperson of the SriLanka Rupavahini Corporation since June 2018. She is a film director andproducer, who started her career in TV and films at Telecine (Pvt) Limited,which was considered to be the largest television production company inSouth Asia in 1992.

Palitha Senarath Yapa is the current Deputy Director for General Programmesat the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation.

Nawaz Mohammed – Working Director and Board Member

Thusira Malawwethantri – is the current Director General of the Sri LankaRupavahini Corporation (SLRC)

Sri Lanka Rupavahini CorporationChannel Eye/ Nethra TVNo. 2204, Torrington Square, Colombo 7General: +94 11 250 1050, +94 11 599 506Fax: +94 11 258 0929Email: [email protected]

Website: www.rupavahini.lk

Founding Year





Contact




430 / 1471


http://http//www.rupavahini.lk/

http://www.rupavahini.lk/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share

Rupavahini goes green by the Sunday Times (2017), Accessed on 31

August 2018

SLTDA and Rupavahini launch travel programme to boost domestic

tourism by the Daily Mirror (2016), Accessed on 31 August 2018

‘Ru Entertainment’; Rupavahini creations in DVDs by the Sunday Times


Rupavahini bags 12 awards, Official Government Newsportal of Sri Lanka


Parliamentary sittings on Rupavahini by the Official Government

Newsportal of Sri Lanka (2014), Accessed on 31 August 2018

The Rupavahini channel does not have an official website. Limitedinformation on the channel’s management structure can be accessed via theofficial website of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. As such, secondarysources were referenced for additional information. Financial data for thechannels was also not available. Viewership data was obtained from theKantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017. While theMedia Ownership Monitor research team reached out to the Sri LankaRupavahini Corporation by formally requesting for the corporation’sinformation on 20 July 2018, the corporation did not respond to theaforementioned request.

Official website of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Accessed on 31

August 2018

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources



431 / 1471

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170115/magazine/rupavahini-goes-green-224335.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/116652/SLTDA-and-Rupavahini-launch-travel-programme-to-boost-domestic-tourism

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/091025/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_04.html

https://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/item/1090-rupavahini-bags-12-awards

https://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/item/10191-parliamentary-sittings-on-rupavahini




Official Facebook page of the Rupavahini Channel, Accessed on 31 August

2018

Programme schedule of the Rupavahini channel, Accessed on 31 August

2018




432 / 1471

https://www.facebook.com/srilankarupavahini/

https://www.peotv.com/tvguide/channel/rupavahini/50




Channel Eye / Nethra TVChannel Eye and Nethra TV, are two distinct state-owned channels.They come under the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC). SLRCalso manages the Sinhala language channel Rupavahini. Althoughformed in 1999 and 2008 respectively, Channel Eye and Nethra TVshare the same frequency and audience share of 3.2 percent.Formerly known as Rupavahini 2, Channel Eye was renamed in 2000.The brand name ‘Eye’ stands for the three major pillars of thechannel: (1) education, (2) youth, and (3) entertainment. Tamillanguage programmes were initially aired by Channel Eye, but withthe creation of Nethra TV in 2008, Tamil language programmes wereabsorbed by Nethra TV.

Channel Eye’s programmes includes the English edition of the Rupavahini news, press review, which ispublished both in English and Tamil mediums, as well as certain English musical programmes. Notably, thechannel is known for telecasting many sports events. For instance, Channel Eye became the official TVbroadcaster for six Cricket World Cup tournaments in 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. It was also theofficial broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup in 2010, 2014 and 2018 for Sri Lanka.

Nethra TV primarily caters to a Tamil-speaking population. Its programmes includes the Tamil language editionof Rupavahini news, political debates, teledramas and Tamil language musical programmes.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


3.2%

State owned

National

Free to air

SLRC




433 / 1471



SLRC

Ownership

Ownership StructureThe Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) was established through the SriLanka Rupavahini Corporation Act No. 6 of 1982. Presently, the Rupavahinichannel, Channel Eye and Nethra TV are maintained under the SLRC. Thisbody comes under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media.




Facts



434 / 1471






General Information


1999 – Channel Eye / 2008 – Nethra TV

Piyadasa Ratnasinghe – is credited with being the channel’s founder, althoughChannel Eye is owned by the state. Prior to serving at Channel Eye, Piyadasaserved as Rupavahini's Deputy General of Commercial Operations.

Missing Data on founder of Nethra TV


Sumedha Hettiarachi – Editor in Chief of Channel Eye

M.N. Raja – Editor in Chief of Nethra TV

Nawaz Mohammed – Working Director and Board Member

Thusira Malawwethantri – is the current Director General of the Sri LankaRupavahini Corporation (SLRC)

Sri Lanka Rupavahini CorporationChannel Eye/ Nethra TVNo. 2204, Torrington Square, Colombo 7General: +94 11 250 1050, +94 11 599 506Fax: +94 11 258 0929Email: [email protected]


Founding Year





Contact




435 / 1471






Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Market Share

Nethra opens by the Sunday Times (2008), Accessed on 31 August 2018

FT Forum on ASEAN on Channel Eye tonight by the Daily FT (2018),


Channel Eye back to cricket by the Sunday Times (2014), Accessed on 31

August 2018

Channel Eye ready to televise knock-out phase of tourney by the Island


Nethra TV and Channel Eye do not have an official website. Their parentcompany, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), has a website withlimited information on the management structure. Hence, other secondarysources were referenced to compile data on the channels. Financial data forthe channels was also not available. Viewership data was obtained from theKantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017. While theMedia Ownership Monitor research team reached out to the SLRC by formallyrequesting for the corporation’s information on 20 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request.

Official Facebook page of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Accessed

on 31 August 2018

Official website of Channel Eye, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Official Facebook page of Channel Eye, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Official website of Nethra TV, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Headlines

Meta Data

Sources



436 / 1471

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080120/TV/tv-times00012.html

http://www.ft.lk/business/FT-Forum-on-ASEAN-on-Channel-Eye-tonight/34-658040

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/140126/magazine/channel-eye-back-to-cricket-80616.html

http://www.island.lk/2003/11/04/sports11.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Media-News-Company/Sri-Lanka-Rupavahini-Corporation-1753881251501147/

http://www.channeleye.lk/

https://www.facebook.com/EyeShuffleLive/

http://www.nethratv.lk/



Official Facebook page of Nethra TV, Accessed on 31 August 2018




437 / 1471

https://www.facebook.com/Nethra-TV-578404868846085/




Vasantham TVVasantham TV is the Tamil language broadcasting channel of theIndependent Television Network Limited (ITN). ITN is a companythat is presently owned by the state. The Secretary to the Treasury,which comes under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and MassMedia, owns all of the shares of ITN. Founded in 2009, VasanthamTV initially catered to the Tamil-speaking audience of the WesternProvince. Eventually, it expanded its coverage to other regionsincluding the Northern, Eastern and Uva Provinces of the country.Vasantham TV telecasts programmes such as news, serialteledramas from South and North India and Sri Lanka, talk shows,religious and other social programmes.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


2.4%

State owned

National

Free to air

ITN




438 / 1471



ITN

Ownership

Ownership StructureWhile the Independent Television Network (ITN) was nationalised by theGazette Extraordinary No. 39/4 of June 1979, it was brought under the SriLanka Rupavahini Corporation Act no. 6 of 1982 which is presently under theMinistry of Finance and Mass Media. The Secretary to the Treasury owns 100percent of shares of the Independent Television Network Limited (ITN) whichhouses Vasantham TV. This body comes under the purview of the Ministry ofFinance and Mass Media.


Individual OwnerThe Government 100%


Facts



439 / 1471






General Information

2009

Vasantham TV was founded by the Independent Television Network Limited(ITN) which is a state-owned public company. Founded by the Chairperson ofTelshan Networks (Pvt) Limited (TNL) and the brother of the incumbent PrimeMinister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Shan Wickremesinghe, ITN commenced itsoperations as a private sector company in April 1979. However, it wasnationalised by the Gazette Extraordinary No. 39/4 of June 1979. In 1992, itwas incorporated as a state-owned public limited company.

Currently, ITN manages two media platforms in TV and radio broadcasting. Inthe TV sector, it manages ITN and Vasantham TV. The Sinhala language TVchannel ITN has an audience reach of 7 percent, while the Tamil languagechannel Vasantham TV has an audience reach of 2.4 percent. In the sector ofradio broadcasting, ITN manages ITN FM, which has an audience reach of 0.48percent and Vasantham FM, which has an audience reach of 1.6 percent. ITNFM was formerly known as Lakhanda and this radio station originated as asubsidiary of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). It wasincorporated into ITN in April 1997.

In addition to its existing radio and television outlets, ITN previously hadanother English language TV channel named Prime TV and a radio stationnamed Prime Radio Sri Lanka. Both outlets ceased broadcasting in 2011.

Although ITN was formed and registered as a private company, sincebecoming a state-owned public company, all of its 9,500,000 shares arevested in the Secretary to the Treasury of the Government of Sri Lanka. Thisbody comes under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media.

Chandana Thilakarathna is the CEO of Independent Television NetworkLimited (ITN). He served as a Senior Consultant at China Radio International.Before joining ITN, he served as the CEO for Sath FM.

Paraneetharan Murugesu Kulendran currently serves as the Channel Head ofVasantham TV. He concurrently serves as the Channel Head of VasanthamFM. He has previously served as the Programme Manager at Sooriyan FM,which belongs to Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. Additionally, hehas held the position of Assistant General Manager at Varnam FM andChannel Head of Vettri FM. The latter station belongs to the Voice of AsiaNetwork (Pvt) Limited.

Founding Year






440 / 1471




Further Information

J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara was appointed the Chairperson of ITN in May 2018.She is the Additional Secretary (Development/ Planning) of the Ministry ofFinance and Mass Media. She has previously held the following positions:

Director and Liaison Officer of the Asia Productivity Organisation (APO) in SriLanka

Director and Deputy Director of the National Productivity Secretariat (NPS) ofSri Lanka

Head of the National Productivity Organisation of Sri Lanka

Director of Planning, Research and Development within the Ministry ofLabour Relations and Productivity Promotion

Independent Television NetworkWickramasinghepura, Battaramulla, Sri LankaTelephone: +94 11 2774 424, +94 11 2774 725, +94 11 2773 289Fax: +94 11 277 4591, +94 11 277 4421Email: [email protected]

Website: www.vasantham.lk


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

ITN introduces Vasantham TV by the Daily News (2009), Accessed on 27

September 2018

Headlines



441 / 1471


http://http//www.vasantham.lk/

http://www.vasantham.lk/




The Annual Report of Independent Television Network Limited (ITN) for theyear 2015 provides the ownership details of the Independent TelevisionNetwork Limited (ITN), which is the company that manages Vasantham TV.Further data on ownership was collected from the annual returns available atthe Department of Registrar of Companies. The most recently available datafor ITN is from the year 2018. Secondary sources were referenced for detailsregarding the founder and key people of the media outlet. Meanwhile,viewership data was gathered from the Kantar Lanka Market ResearchBureau (LMRB) for the year 2017. While the Media Ownership Monitorresearch team reached out to ITN by formally requesting for the company’sinformation on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request.

Official website of Vasantham TV, Accessed on 27 September 2018

ITN projecting through the eyes of the nation by Business Today (2009),


LinkedIn profile of Danushka Ramanayake, Accessed on 27 September

2018

Danushka Ramanayake assume duties as Working Director of ITN by News

First (2015), Accessed on 27 September 2018.

Official profile on ITN by the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media,


Facebook profile of Paraneetharan Murugesu, Accessed on 30 September

2018

LinkedIn profile of Murugesu Kulendran, Accessed on 30 September 2018

Annual Report 2015: Independent Television Network Limited.

Guide to Media 2017

New Secretariat Staff at the Asian Productivity Organisation (2014)


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



442 / 1471


http://www.businesstoday.lk/cover_page.php?article=2027&issue=219

https://lk.linkedin.com/in/dhanushka-ramanayake-55823736

https://www.news.lk/news/item/5909-danushka-ramanayake-assume-duties-as-working-director-of-itn

https://www.media.gov.lk/institutions/independent-television-network

https://www.facebook.com/m.paraneetharan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/murugesu-kulendran-b55b0469/?originalSubdomain=lk

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5929&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=c26b2b329c99f7f3f624defcf39689a5


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5925&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=5582e617d67ad4acbf8a02788dd01c3f







443 / 1471




Thesiya FMThesiya FM, also known as Tamil National Service, is a Tamillanguage radio station under the state-owned Sri LankaBroadcasting Corporation (SLBC). This body comes under thepurview of the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media. SLBC currentlyoversees the operation of 7 national radio stations, 6 regionalstations and 4 community services. Thesiya FM reaches an audienceof 1.62 percent.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


1.62%

State owned

National

Free content

SLBC




444 / 1471



SLBC

Ownership

Ownership StructureThesiya FM is operated by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). TheSLBC oversees all state-owned radio stations. It is within the purview of theMinistry of Finance and Mass Media.

Voting RightsMissing data



Facts

General Information



445 / 1471



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/slbc/




Further Information

1951

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation which at the time was called RadioCeylon.

Siddi Mohamed Farook is the current Chairperson of the Sri LankaBroadcasting Corporation which oversees the operations of Thesiya FM.

Mayuri Abesinghe serves as the Deputy Director General of Programmes.

Erananda Hettiarachchi serves as the Director General

Sri Lanka Broadcasting CorporationP.O Box 574, Colombo 7Tel: 0112697491-95E-mail : [email protected] Website: www.slbc.lk

Founding Year





Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

New Chairman appointed to SLBC, by the Daily News (2017), Accessed on

28 September 2018

Headlines



446 / 1471


http://www.slbc.lk/

http://www.slbc.lk/

http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/12/13/local/137210/new-chairman-appointed-slbc



SLBC has a website with limited information on the management structure.As such, secondary sources were referenced to compile data on the channels.There are also no individual websites for each radio channel, instead they areall featured on SLBC's official website. Listenership data was obtained fromthe Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January-November).

Official website of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC),


Tamil National Service page of the SLBC, Accessed on 16 September 2018

SLBC page by the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media, Accessed on 16

September 2018

Guide to Media 2017

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



447 / 1471

http://www.slbc.lk/

http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/tech/tamil-national-service.htmlhttp://

https://www.media.gov.lk/institutions/sri-lanka-broadcasting-corporation




News.lkNews.lk is the official news portal of the Government of Sri Lankathat was launched in 1997. Presently, the website operates in allthree languages (Sinhala, Tamil and English). With the collaborationof Sri Lanka Mobitel and Dialog, the website provides a breakingnews alert service via SMS. Meanwhile, the website features politicaland current affairs, world business, sports, cultural and travelcontent, provincial-level news and cabinet decisions. It primarilyaims to provide information relating to the activities of the government.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type

Missing Data

State owned

International

Free




448 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership Structurenews.lk, also known as The Official News Portal of the Government of SriLanka, is managed by the Department of Government Information, which isan initiative of the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media. TheMinistry of Finance and Mass Media also directly oversees the Sri LankaRupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation(SLBC).


Facts

General Information

1997

The Department of Government Information is an initiative of the Ministry ofParliamentary Reforms and Mass Media. As per the department's officialwebsite, it assists the local media in areas of welfare, training, policy planningand accreditation, in addition to providing access to government news andinformation.

Sudarshana Gunawardana serves as the current Director General ofGovernment Information. He has previously held the post of Chairperson ofthe Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and was also in the board ofthe Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) as well as the National FilmCorporation. Prior to joining public service, Sudarshana founded a civil societyorganisation called Rights Now Collective for Democracy.

Prabath Ratnayake – is the Head of the New Media Unit which overseesnews.lk

Founding Year






449 / 1471






Further Information

M.A. Hassen – is the Director of Media

Department of Government InformationNo. 163, Kirulapona Avenue, Colombo 5Tel: +94 11 251 5759Fax: +94112512861E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.news.lk


Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

The news.lk website does not provide sufficient information about itsoperational structure. Information was therefore gathered through secondarysources and confirmed by directly contacting news.lk.

The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka, Accessed on 25

September 2018

Department of Government Information official website, Accessed on 25

September 2018

Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development profile on Sudarshana

Gunawardana, Accessed on 25 September 2018

Meta Data

Sources



450 / 1471


http://https//www.news.lk/

https://www.news.lk/

https://www.news.lk/

https://www.dgi.gov.lk/

http://www.aibd.org.my/node/5955



Thinakaran.lkThinakaran.lk is a website that publishes the content available in theprint edition of the Tamil language Thinakaran newspaper.Additionally, the website also permits readers to freely access the e-paper of Thinakaran. The paper and the website are owned by theAssociated Newspapers of Ceylon (ANCL or Lake House) which is astate-owned institution. The website features content under severalthemes including domestic affairs, foreign affairs, business, sportsand reports on criminal activities. Several other online publications such as Dinamina, Daily News, Resa, andSarasaviya, Sunday Observer, Silumina and Budusarana operate as Thinakaran.lk’s sister websites.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

State owned

International

Free Content

ANCL




451 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureThinakaran.lk is managed by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limitedwhich is a state-owned institution as per the Associated Newspapers ofCeylon (Special Provisions) Act No. 28. In total, there are 99 shareholderswhich includes the Department of Public Trustee, 10 institutions and 88individuals. The highest number of shares is held by the Department of PublicTrustee on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. The Department of PublicTrustee comes within the ambit of the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms.




1.8%


0.9%



452 / 1471





ANCL


Facts

General Information

Missing Data

The online edition of Thinakaran was founded under The AssociatedNewspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL or Lake House), which is a state-ownedinstitution. Presently, it publishes four daily publications (Daily News,Dinamina, Thinakaran and Resa) and three weekly publications (SundayObserver, Silumina and Vaaramanjari) in Sinhala, Tamil and English. AlthoughANCL was a private company founded by D.R. Wijewardene, it wasnationalised as a public limited liability company under The AssociatedNewspapers of Ceylon Limited (Special Provisions) Law No. 28 of 1973. Atpresent, 87.56 percent of its shares are held by the Secretary to the PublicTrustee on behalf of the government.

Founding Year




453 / 1471






Kanapathipillai Kunarasa currently serves as the Chief Editor of both the dailyThinakaran newspaper and the weekly Vaaramanjari. Before working in thecurrent position, Kunarasa has held the positions of Associate Editor andNews Editor at Thinakaran. Prior to working at Thinakaran, Kunarasa servedin the following capacities: News Reviewer at Nethra TV, TV Presenter at thestate-owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Relief Announcer at theSri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and BBC London. He also servedas a journalist at the Thinapathi and Chinthamani newspapers forIndependent Newspapers Limited.

Kalai Rajah Ashokkumarrajah – News Editor at Thinakaran

M.M. Mohammed Marlin and S. Pandiyan – Associate Editor at Thinakaran

M.M. Mohammed Marlin – he also serves in the Media Centre of the YoungMen's Muslim Association

The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, No. 35, D.R. WijewardenaMawatha, Colombo 10General: + 94 11 2 429 429 +94 11 2 421 181, + 94 11 2 429 640Email: [email protected]

Website: www.thinakaran.lk




Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





454 / 1471


http://http//www.thinakaran.lk/

http://www.thinakaran.lk/



Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share

Lake House ‘Thinakaran’ correspondent felicitated by the Daily News


Thinakaran.lk and the official website of the Associated Newspapers CeylonLimited ANCL or Lake House do not provide details about its board ofdirectors, ownership or its organisational structure. As such, publicly availablesecondary sources and the annual returns available at the Department ofRegistrar of Companies were referenced. The most recently available datawas for the year 2016. While the Media Ownership Monitor research teamreached out to ANCL by formally requesting for the company’s information on20 July 2018, the company did not respond to the aforementioned request.

Official website of Thinakaran.lk, Accessed on 18 September 2018

Facebook page of Thinakaran, Accessed on 18 September 2018

Official website of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL),


Guide to Media 2017


Headlines

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



455 / 1471

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/01/23/local/140707/lake-house-%E2%80%98thinakaran%E2%80%99-correspondent-felicitated?page=1

http://www.thinakaran.lk/

https://www.facebook.com/Thinakaran.lk/

http://www.lakehouse.lk/publications/main-papers/thinakaran





Dailynews.lkLaunched in 1995, dailynews.lk or the online edition of the DailyNews, was the first Sri Lankan newspaper to concurrently publish itscontent online. The English language publication replicates thecontent that is available in the print edition of the Daily News. Thepaper is part of the state-owned publishing house, the AssociatedNewspapers of Ceylon Limited.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

State

International

free content

ANCL




456 / 1471



Ownership



457 / 1471



Ownership StructureDailynews.lk is published by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited,also known as Lake House, which is a state-owned institution. Initially, LakeHouse was established by D.R. Wijewardene, and consisted of 7 newspapers.After his death in 1956, the editorial policies were overlooked by EsmondWickremasinghe, his son-in-law. In 1973, the government of SirimavoBandaranaike nationalised the company through the Associated Newspapersof Ceylon (Special Provisions) Act No.28. A.K. Premadasa was appointed as thefirst Chairperson. Presently, there are 99 shareholders which includes theDepartment of Public Trustee, 10 institutions and 88 individuals. These 88individuals include several members who are related to the founders of ANCL,including the present Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe who owns 0.19percent of shares. The highest number of shares is held by the Department ofPublic Trustee on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. The Department ofPublic Trustee comes within the ambit of the Ministry of Justice and PrisonReforms.



Wijewardene Family


1.8%


0.9%



458 / 1471







ANCL


Facts

General Information

1995

The Daily News website was founded under the Associated Newspapers ofCeylon Limited (ANCL or Lake House), which is a state-owned institution.ANCL presently publishes four daily newspapers (Daily News, Dinamina,Thinakaran and Resa) and three weekly publications (Sunday Observer,Silumina and Vaaramanjari) in Sinhala, Tamil and English. It is a public limitedliability company that was established by D.R. Wijewardene in 1926 prior to itsnationalisation under The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (SpecialProvisions) Law No. 28 of 1973.

Founding Year




459 / 1471





Further Information


Abhaya Amaradasa is the General Manager

Prabuddha Athukorala is the Manager of Digital Media

Associated Newspapers of Ceylon LimitedNo. 35, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10General: +9411 2 429 429, +9411 2 421 181, +9411 2 331 181Email: [email protected]

Website: www.dailynews.lk




Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Krishantha Cooray takes over as Lake House Chairman by Daily FT (2017),

Accessed on 9 October 2018

Headlines



460 / 1471


http://http//www.dailynews.lk/

http://www.dailynews.lk/

http://www.ft.lk/front-page/krishantha-cooray-takes-over-as-lake-house-chairman/44-628837



Hilton owning firm gets new board; Krishantha Cooray appointed as

Chairman by Daily Mirror (2016), Accessed on 9 October 2018

Information on the management structure of the outlet was obtained throughsecondary sources and by directly contacting the paper. Information on theshareholders was gathered through the annual returns available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies.

dailynews.lk official website, Accessed on 25 September 2018

Official website of the Lake House Group, Accessed on 2 August 2018

Guide to Media 2017


Meta Data

Sources

Documents



461 / 1471

http://www.dailymirror.lk/108199/Hilton-owning-firm-gets-new-board-Krishantha-Cooray-appointed-as-Chairman-

http://www.dailynews.lk/






Derana TVNewcomer to the television broadcasting industry of Sri Lanka,Derana TV, started transmission in 2005. In 2017, according toKantar LMRB research, Derana TV was the most viewed Televisionchannel. During its initial stages, the channel went live for only fivehours of programming. Currently, Derana TV runs programmes inthe Sinhalese language. These programmes include news segments,teledramas and religious programmes. Derana TV is managed byDerana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited, which is a subsidiary ofPower House Limited. Co-founders Dilith Jayaweera and VaruniAmunugama Fernando hold the majority of shares at Power HouseLimited.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


19.50%

Private

National

Free to air

Power House Limited




462 / 1471



Ownership



463 / 1471



Ownership StructureDerana Macro Enternatinment (Pvt) Limited is owned by Power HouseLimited. Dilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando jointly own 49.41percent of shares which makes them majority shareholders of Power HouseLimited. They also own 9.00 percent each as individuals.


Individual OwnerDilith Jayaweera 9%

Varuni Amunugama Fernando 9%

Group / Individual OwnerDilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama FernandoDilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando jointly own 49.41 percentof shares at Power House, in addition to the 9 percent (each) they ownseparately.

49.4%

Madawa MandawalaMadawa Mandawala is the CEO as well as a Director. He is listed as ashareholder at Power House Limited.

2.4%

Laksiri WickramageLaksiri Wickramage serves as the Deputy Chairperson and Director. He holds2 percent of Power House Limited, the parent company of Derana MacroEntertainment (Pvt) Limited.

2%



464 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/dilith-jayaweera/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/varuni-amunugama-fernando/




Power House Limited


Facts

General Information

2005Founding Year



465 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/power-house-limited/



Well-known entrepreneur Dilith Jayaweera and the daughter of Minister ofScience, Technology, Research, Skills Development and Vocational Trainingand Kandyan Heritage Sarath Amunugama, Varuni Amunugama Fernando,co-founded Power House Limited, which owns Derana Macro Entertainment(Pvt) Limited. Presently, Derana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited maintainsDerana TV and FM Derana. Dilith and Varuni initially began their commercialventures with an advertising agency, Triad (Pvt) Limited, while they were lawstudents. Established in 1993, the agency was modelled as the country’s firstlocal advertising house. In 2005, the agency gained prominence for runningthe advertising campaign of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s candidacyfor the presidential election. Having established Triad (Pvt) Limited, Dilith andVaruni ventured into several other media-related businesses such as PowerHouse Limited, formerly Power House (Pvt) Limited, which was incorporatedin 2003, and Derana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited, which wasincorporated in 2008.

Jayaweera was named Director of the Reefcomber in August 2010 after one ofhis subsidiary companies, Emagewise, purchased significant shares of thehotel. In October 2010, the Reefcomber was re-branded as Citrus Leisure PLCand currently has hotels at three locations – Hikkaduwa, Waskaduwa andColombo. Jayaweera remains a Director at Citrus Leisure PLC today. In 2011,Jayaweera and another prominent businessman, Nimal Perera, wereappointed to the board of directors after securing around 43 percent ofshares at the George Steuart and Company Limited. Sitting as eitherChairperson or on the board of directors, Jayaweera is currently theChairperson of the George Steuart Group as well. This includes a financecompany – George Steuart Finance Limited.

In 2015, the Colombo Magistrate Court approved an investigation into thefinancial transactions of Dilith Jayaweera, Nalaka Godahewa, VaruniAmunugama and Sarvajana Anandaraj Ameresekere over the allegedirregularities in the share transactions of Lanka Hospitals. After such claimsemerged, Jayaweera had reportedly warned to sue the brother of theincumbent Prime Minister and the Chairperson of Telshan Networks (Pvt)Limited, Shan Wickremesinghe. This was owing to allegations thatWickremesinghe’s channel, TNL, had telecasted views against Jayaweera. Thelawsuit was dropped after Wickremesinghe had reportedly issued an apology.Wickremesinghe’s daughter Ishini was also closely linked to the operations ofJayaweera’s Triad (Pvt) Limited previously. In the same year, Jayaweera'slawyers had reportedly warned to take legal action against the Chairperson ofThe Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited, R. Rajamahendran. A legal suitwas to be filed claiming compensation of LKR 2 million (around USD 12,500)for defamatory statements allegedly aired on Rajamahendran's channel,Sirasa TV. However, Rajamahendran’s lawyers had also reportedly warned to




466 / 1471




Further Information

counter-sue Jayaweera for LKR 20 billion (around USD 125 million) if Jayaweera proceeded with the suit.

Madawa Mandawala is the CEO as well as a Director. He is listed as ashareholder at Power House Limited.

Yuvaraj Athukorala- News Director Derana FM as well as Derana TV. YuvarajAthukorala has previously worked as Assistant director at the Sri LankaTourism Promotions Bureau.

Laksiri Wickramage serves as the Deputy Chairperson and Director. He holds2 percent of Power House Limited, the parent company of Derana MacroEntertainment (Pvt) Limited.

Derana Macroentertainment (Pvt) LimitedNo. 320, T.B. Jaya Mawatha, Level 4, Colombo 10Tel: +945300800, +945300700Fax: +942506226Website: derana.lk




Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

TV Derana strengthens all island coverage with new transmission tower by

the Daily FT (2013), Accessed on 5 August 2018

Founding investor Dilith Jayaweera to head Derana by the Daily Mirror


Headlines



467 / 1471

http://http//derana.lk

http://derana.lk/

http://www.ft.lk/article/154980/TV-Derana-strengthens-all-island-coverage-with-new-transmission-tower

http://www.dailymirror.lk/91351/founding-investor-dilith-jayaweera-to-head-derana



Founding Investor Dilith Jayaweera takes over the reins of Derana as

Chairman and Managing Director by The Island (2015), Accessed on 6

August 2018

???? 60+ ???????? ???????? ???? ‍?????? (Winners of the Derana 60+ reality

programme) by Mawbima (2018), Accessed on 30 September 2018

The official website of Derana TV does not provide adequate informationabout its organisational structure. Meanwhile, press reports on Derana TV donot clearly determine the relationship between Power House Limited andDerana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited. Additionally, Emagewise, asubsidiary of Triad (Pvt) Limited, is commonly spelt as 'Imagewise' in newsarticles and the relationship between Emagewise and Triad (Pvt) Limited is notalways clearly established. While press reports document Derana TV ascommencing in 2005, the LinkedIn profile of Derana Macro Entertainment(Pvt) Limited lists the founding year as 2009. Information regarding ownershipwas gathered from the annual returns available at the Department ofRegistrar of Companies. While the Media Ownership Monitor research teamreached out to Powerhouse Limited by formally requesting for the company’sinformation on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request. Viewership data was obtained from the KantarLanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017.

Official website of Derana TV, Accessed on 2 August 2018

Official website of Citrus Leisure PLC, Accessed on 6 August 2018

Official website of The George Steuart and Co., Accessed on 6 August 2018

Official LinkedIn profile of Derana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited,

Accessed on 6 August, 2018

Peoples Awards (2018), Accessed on 6 August 2018

Official website of Triad Advertising, Accessed on 6 August 2018

Official website of TNL, Accessed on 7 August 2018

Member of Parliament profile of Sarath Amunugama by the Parliament of


Meta Data

Sources



468 / 1471


http://www.mawbima.lk/print20180101MB20181230.php?id=19505

http://www.derana.lk/

https://www.citrusleisure.com/about-usl

http://www.georgesteuart.lk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/derana-macroentertainment-pvt-ltd/


http://triad.lk/

http://tnltv.lk/

http://parliament.lk/en/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/viewMember/57



Dilith buys controlling 20% stake in Liberty Plaza owning firm for Rs. 835 m

by the Daily FT (2011), Accessed on 2 August 2018

Nimal, Dilith appointed to George Steuart Board by the Daily FT (2011),


Dilith Jayaweera: Guts And Grit by Business Today (2012), Accessed on 3

August 2018

Dilith, Varuni join directorate at Reefcomber by the Business Times (2010),


Sri Lanka hotel group Citrus Leisure to drop Kalpitiya hotel by

EconomyNext (2018), Accessed on 3 August 2018

Reefcomber soon as Citrus Aqua by the Business Times (2010), Accessed

on 3 August 2018

SEC ordered by court to submit share transaction report of Dilith

Jayaweera, Nalaka Godahewa by the Sunday Times (2015), Accessed on 19

September 2018

“Basil literally chased me out” - Dilith Jayaweera by the Daily Mirror (2015),


“Money Laundering” Jayaweera threatens Shan Wickremesinghe, head

TNL TV & radio by Sunanda Deshapriya (2011), Accessed on 30 September

2018

Interim injunction issued against Shan Wickramasinghe by Ada Derana


Dilith withdraws against TNL after apology by the Daily News (2015),


Dilith to definitely take Rajamahendran to court by Ada Derana (2015),




469 / 1471

http://www.ft.lk/article/31643/Dilith-buys-controlling-20--stake-in-Liberty-Plaza-owning-firm-for-Rs--835-m

http://www.ft.lk/article/49849/Nimal--Dilith-appointed-to-George-Steuart-Board

http://www.businesstoday.lk/cover_page.php?issue=257

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100829/BusinessTimes/bt17.html

https://economynext.com/Sri_Lanka_hotel_group_Citrus_Leisure_to_drop_Kalpitiya_hotel-3-10354-7.html


http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150705/business-times/sec-ordered-by-court-to-submit-share-transaction-report-of-dilith-jayaweera-nalaka-godahewa-155722.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/73703/i-didn-t-handle-the-campaign-for-the-last-election-basil-literally-chased-me-out-dilith-jayaweera

https://sunandadeshapriya.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/%E2%80%9Cmoney-laundering%E2%80%9D-jayaweera-threatens-shan-wickremesinghe-head-tnl-tv-radio/


http://www.dailynews.lk/2015/09/29/local/dilith-withdraws-against-tnl-after-apology

http://www.adaderana.lk/news/30948/dilith-to-definitely-take-rajamahendran-to-court-



Dilith Jayaweera to be counter-sued for Rs 20 billion if frivolous legal

action is taken (Photo) by News First (2015), Accessed on 30 September

2018

Dilith sends letter of demand to Rajamahendran by Ada Derana (2015),



September 2018

Guide to Media 2017

Legal letter sent to Dilith Jayaweera by a lawyer representing Rajandram

Rajamahendran

Documents



470 / 1471

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2015/05/20/dileep-jayaweera-to-be-counter-sued-for-rs-20-billion-if-frivolous-legal-action-is-taken/




https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5931&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=233d0361d66e94c02942bf07bd47dad2



FM DeranaFM Derana is a Sinhala language radio station that was founded in2009. It is managed by Derana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited,which also maintains Derana TV. Presently, the parent company ofDerana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited is Power House Limited.Dilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando hold themajority of shares at Power House Limited. Having an audiencereach of 14.31 percent, FM Derana features 15-minute newssegments on a daily basis, in addition to other programmes such astalk shows and radio-drama series. In 2011, FM Derana was theofficial radio station that broadcasted the International CricketCouncil (ICC) World Cup.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


14.31%

Private

National

Free to air

Power House Limited




471 / 1471



Ownership



472 / 1471



Ownership StructureDerana Macro Enternatinment (Pvt) Limited is owned by Power HouseLimited. Dilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando jointly own 49.41percent of shares which makes them the majority shareholders of PowerHouse Limited. They also own 9.00 percent each as individuals.

Voting RightsMissing Data.



Group / Individual OwnerDilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama FernandoDilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando jointly own 49.41 percentof shares at Power House Limited, in addition to the 9 percent (each) theyown separately.

49.4%


2.4%


2%



473 / 1471







Power House Limited


Facts

General Information

2009Founding Year



474 / 1471





Jayaweera was named Director of the Reefcomber in August 2010 after one ofhis subsidiary companies, Emagewise, purchased a significant amount ofshares at the hotel. In October 2010, the Reefcomber was re-branded asCitrus Leisure PLC and currently has hotels at three locations – Hikkaduwa,Waskaduwa and Colombo. Jayaweera remains a Director at Citrus Leisure PLCtoday. In 2011, Jayaweera and another prominent businessman, NimalPerera, were appointed to the board of directors after securing around 43percent of shares at the George Steuart and Company Limited. Sitting aseither Chairperson or on the board of directors, Jayaweera is currently theChairperson of the George Steuart Group as well. This includes a financecompany – George Steuart Finance Limited.

In 2015, the Colombo Magistrate Court approved an investigation into thefinancial transactions of Dilith Jayaweera, Nalaka Godahewa, VaruniAmunugama Fernando and Sarvajana Anandaraj Ameresekere over thealleged irregularities in the share transactions of Lanka Hospitals. After suchclaims emerged, Jayaweera had reportedly warned to sue the brother of theincumbent Prime Minister and the Chairperson of Telshan Networks (Pvt)Limited, Shan Wickremesinghe. This was owing to allegations thatWickremesinghe’s channel, TNL, had telecasted views against Jayaweera. Thelawsuit was dropped after Wickremesinghe had reportedly issued an apology.Wickremesinghe’s daughter Ishini was also closely linked to the operations ofJayaweera’s Triad (Pvt) Limited previously. In the same year, Jayaweera'slawyers had reportedly warned to take legal action against the Chairperson ofThe Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited, R. Rajamahendran. A legal suitwas to be filed claiming compensation of LKR 2 million (around USD 12,500)for defamatory statements allegedly aired on Rajamahendran's channel,Sirasa TV. However, Rajamahendran’s lawyers had also reportedly warned to




475 / 1471




Further Information




Power House LimitedNo. 320, T.B. Jaya Mawatha, Level 4, Colombo 10Tel: +945300800, +945300700Fax: +942506226Website: http://fmderana.lk/



Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

Fm Derana wins official rights for ICC World Cup Broadcast by the Daily FT


Nilendra takes over as Director and Head of Channel at FM Derana by the

Daily FT (2011), Accessed on 16 August 2018

Headlines



476 / 1471

http://www.ft.lk/article/16568/Fm-Derana-wins-official-rights-for-ICC-World-Cup-Broadcast

http://www.ft.lk/business/nilendra-takes-over-as-director-and-head-of-channel-at-fm-derana/34-27842



The official website of FM Derana does not detail its organisational structure.It is also difficult to determine whether Power House Limited or DeranaMacro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited own the license to the radio station.Information on the shareholders was gathered through the annual returnsavailable at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The most recent datawas available for the year 2015. Listenership data was obtained from theKantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January-November). While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reached outto Powerhouse Limited by formally requesting for the company’s informationon 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to the aforementioned request.

Official website of FM Derana, Accessed on 3 August 2018






August 2018

Dilith, Varuni join directorate at Reefcomber by Business Times (2010),


Sri Lanka hotel group Citrus Leisure to drop Kalpitiya hotel (2018),

EconomyNext, Accessed on 03 August 2018

Reefcomber soon as Citrus Aqua by Business Times (2010), Accessed on 3

August 2018

Founding investor Dilith Jayaweera to head Derana by Mirror Business


Guide to Media 2017


Rajamahendran

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



477 / 1471

http://fmderana.lk/












Ada DeranaAda Derana is a trilingual online news outlet under Derana MacroEntertainment (Pvt) Limited, which is a subsidiary of Power HouseLimited. The outlet partnered with Dialog Telekom in 2007 to deliverinstant SMS news alerts. Presently, all mobile service providers offerAda Derana news alerts. Additionally, Derana Macro Entertainment(Pvt) Limited launched Sri Lanka's first 24-hour TV channel known asAda Derana 24X7. This channel is only available to subscribers ofDialog Television and PEO TV.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

Private

International

Free

Power House Limited




478 / 1471



Ownership



479 / 1471



Ownership StructureDerana Macro Enternatinment (Pvt) Limited is owned by Power HouseLimited. Dilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando jointly own 49.41percent of shares which makes them majority shareholders of Power HouseLimited. They also own 9.00 percent each as individuals.




Group / Individual OwnerDilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama FernandoDilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando jointly own 49.41 percentof shares at Power House, in addition to the 9 percent (each) they ownseparately.

49.4%


2.4%


2%



480 / 1471







Power House Limited


Facts

General Information

Missing DataFounding Year



481 / 1471





Jayaweera was named director of the Reefcomber in August 2010 after one ofhis subsidiary companies, Emagewise, purchased significant shares of thehotel named Reefcomber. In October 2010, the Reefcomber was re-brandedas Citrus Leisure PLC and currently has hotels at three locations – Hikkaduwa,Waskaduwa and Colombo. Jayaweera remains a director at Citrus Leisure PLCtoday. In 2011, Jayaweera and another prominent businessman, NimalPerera, were appointed to the board of directors after securing around 43percent of shares at the George Steuart & Company Limited. Sitting as eitherchairman or on the board of directors of each of these company’ssubsidiaries, Jayaweera is currently the Chairman of George Steuart Group aswell. This includes a Finance company – George Seuart Finance Limited.

In 2015, The Colombo Magistrate Court approved an investigation into thefinancial transactions of Dilith Jayaweera, Nalaka Godahewa, VaruniAmunugama and Sarvajana Anandaraj Ameresekere over the allegedirregularities in the share transactions of Lanka Hospitals. Meanwhile,Jayaweera’s adverse relationships with media personnel such as the brotherof the incumbent Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Chairperson ofTelshan Networks (Pvt) Limited (TNL) Shan Wickremesinghe as well asChairperson of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited R. Rajamahendranhave received coverage in the Sri Lankan press. After allegations of stockmarket manipulation emerged, Jayaweera had reportedly warned to sue ShanWickremesinghe, owing to allegations that Wickremesinghe’s channel TNLhad telecasted views against Jayaweera. The lawsuit was dropped afterWickremesinghe issued an apology. Wickremesinghe’s daughter Ishini wasclosely linked to the operations of Jayawaeera’s Triad (Pvt) Limited previously.In 2015, Jayaweera's lawyers had reportedly warned to take legal actionagainst R. Rajamahendran. A legal suit was to be filed claiming compensation




482 / 1471




Further Information

of LKR 2 million (around USD 12,500) for defamatory statements allegedly aired on Rajamahendran's channel,Sirasa TV. However, Rajamahendran’s lawyers had also reportedly warned to counter-sue Jayaweera for LKR 20billion (around USD 125 million) if Jayaweera proceeded with the suit.


Missing Data


Derana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) LimitedNo. 320, T.B Jaya Mawatha, Level 4, Colombo 10Tel: +945300800, +945300700Fax: +942506226Web Editor (English) : [email protected]

Web Editor (Sinhala) : [email protected]

Web Editor (Tamil) : [email protected]

Website: www.derana.lk




Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



483 / 1471




http://http//www.derana.lk/




Ada Derana disseminates news by the Sunday Times (2011), Accessed on

25 September 2018

‘Ada Derana’ On Dialog Mobile Phones by Business Today (2007), Accessed


Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the Year 2018 Awards by Daily FT (2018),


The official website of Ada Derana does not provide adequate informationabout its organisational structure. As such, secondary sources werereferenced. Information regarding ownership was gathered from the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The mostrecent data was available for the year 2015. While the Media OwnershipMonitor research team reached out to Powerhouse Limited by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request.

Official website of Ada Derana, Accessed on 25 September 2018

Official website of Derana TV, Accessed on 2 August 2018












Headlines

Meta Data

Sources



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http://www.sundaytimes.lk/111009/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_2.html

http://businesstoday.lk/article.php?article=4832

http://www.ft.lk/ft-click/Ada-Derana-Sri-Lankan-of-the-Year-2018-Awards/15-663401

http://www.adaderana.lk/






http://triad.lk/

http://tnltv.lk/








August 2018






on 3 August 2018

Forget gender in business by the Sunday Observer (2008), Accessed on 6

August 2018



September 2018





2018









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http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2008/08/31/mag02.asp











2018




September 2018

Guide to Media 2017


Rajamahendran

Documents



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Key facts



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Jawhara FMGeneral radio station that focuses on entertainment, music, culture,sport and information. It was launched on 25 July 2005, incelebration of the Tunisian Republic.

Jawhara FM is first radio to broadcast from the Sahel, where itsname comes from as "Jawhara" means pearl in Arabic, referring tothe Sousse region the "Pearl of the Sahel". Its the most popularradio in the Sahel region.

The Radio is owned by a group of businessmen close to the regime of Ben Ali. Its license was granted to NéjiMhiri, personal friend of Ben Ali.

Its Manager Ali Haj Youssef was director of the public radio station "Radio Youth".



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Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

private

Local

free content

Société Jawhara des médias et des telecommunications


© ONT



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/uploads/tx_lfrogmom/media/127-Jawhara-geographic_coverage.JPG



Ownership

Ownership StructureOther shareholdersAmer Ben Abdallah (4%)Neji Stambouli (8%)Hosni Jamali (8%)Abd El Aziz Ben Saad (8%)Mounir Morjane (8%)Société l'EPI D'OR (8%)Abd El Hakim Hmila (8%)Mohamed Fourti (8%)Mohamed Bechir Sfar (8%)Société VITALAIT (4%)Société mediterraneenne des services aeriens (8%)

Individual OwnerAli Haj Youssef 4%

Lazhar Sta 8%

Heirs of Aziz Miled 8%



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/ali-haj-youssef/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/lazhar-sta/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/heirs-of-aziz-miled/




Société Jawhara des médias et destelecommunications


Facts

General Information


2005

Ali Belhadj Youcef

Rue des Orangers Khzema Est 4051, Soussewww.jawharafm.net

Founding Year

Ceo

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data





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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/societe-jawhara-des-medias-et-des-telecommunications/

http://www.jawharafm.net/



Missing Data

Missing Data


Market Share



492 / 1471



Jawharafm.netThe jawharafm.net is the official website of Radio Jawhara FM.

The new version of the site offers a photo gallery and videos,services: travel, national weather and games, podcasts and newsprograms. It also offers the ability stream the radio (usually in Arabicbut also available in French on the French version of the site).

Jawharafm.net publishes in both Arabic and French.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

private

International

free content

Société Jawhara des médias et des telecommunications




493 / 1471



Ownership

Ownership StructureOther shareholdersAmer Ben Abdallah (4%)Neji Stambouli (8%)Hosni Jamali (8%)Abd El Aziz Ben Saad (8%)Mounir Morjane (8%)Société l'EPI D'OR (8%)Abd El Hakim Hmila (8%)Mohamed Fourti (8%)Mohamed Bechir Sfar (8%)Société VITALAIT (4%)Société mediterraneenne des services aeriens (8%)


Lazhar Sta 8%




494 / 1471











Facts

General Information


Ali Belhadj Youcef

Rue des Orangers Khzema Est 4051, Soussewww.jawharafm.net

Ceo

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






495 / 1471


http://www.jawharafm.net/



Missing DataMarket Share



496 / 1471



Mosaïque FMMosaïque FM is the first private radio station in Tunisia. Currently,covering much of the north of the country it is in the vague ofenlarging its reach to the whole territory. It is also broadcastedonline via its website.

Launched on 7 November 2003, it employs today 100 employeesand about 45 collaborators, regional correspondents andindependent consultants. Mosaïque FM became quickly known andit is now the most listened to radio in Tunisia.

It was long considered the "radio Trabelsi" because Belhassen Trabelsi, brother of former first lady Leila Ben Ali,holds 13% of the shares; founder and director of the radio, Noureddine Boutar, is the majority shareholder.Since the 2011 revolution, the Trabelsi shares were confiscated by the Tunisian State.



497 / 1471



Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

private

National

free content

MED TELECOM


© ONT



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/uploads/tx_lfrogmom/media/Couv-Mosaique.jpg



MED TELECOM

Ownership

Ownership StructureOther shareholdersJamel MZABI (13.27%)Abdelkader HAMROUNI (13.27%)Hedi MECHRI (13.27%)Tunisian State (confiscated) (13.27%)

Voting RightsAccording to the Tunisian Code of Commercial Companies. The votes aredistributed according to the units each shareholder has.

Individual OwnerNoureddine Boutar 20.3%

Lotfi Abdennadher 13.3%

Lazhar Sta 13%




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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/noureddine-boutar/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/lotfi-abdennadher/




https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/med-telecom/




Facts

General Information


2003

Noureddine Boutar

Noureddine Boutar

Neji ZAIRI

Journalist and director of the editorial of Mosaique FM. Neji Zairi was pressofficer of the Ministry of Justice (Minister: Bashir TEKKARI) under Ben Ali andworked as Press Secretary for the Ministry of Interior after the revolution

Lotfi Abdennadher

Lotfi Abdennadher is shareholder at Mosaique FM and the radio Diwan FM inSfax, represented by Yassine Laamouri who manages several companies ofthe Abdennadher Group.

Immeuble Mosaïque Rue 8003Montplaisir, TunisTel: +216 71 113 000Email: [email protected]

http://mosaiquefm.net/

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief




Contact

5 Mio. $/ 10.77 Mio. TND (2015)

1.1 Mio. $/ 2.4 Mio. TND (2015)





500 / 1471





(private : 95%, public : 5%)

Missing Data


Market Share



501 / 1471



mosaiquefm.net

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

private

International

free content

MED TELECOM




502 / 1471



MED TELECOM

Ownership

Ownership StructureOther shareholdersJamel MZABI (13.27%)Abdelkader HAMROUNI (13.27%)Hedi MECHRI (13.27%)Tunisian state (confiscated) (13.27%)

Voting RightsAccording to the Tunisian Code of Commercial Companies. The votes aredistributed according to the units each shareholder has.



Lazhar Sta 13%




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Facts

General Information


2005

Noureddine Boutar

Noureddine Boutar

Wifek GOUJA (Web Master) & Amel LETAIEF (Editor-in-chief)

Immeuble Mosaïque Rue 8003Montplaisir, TunisTel: +216 71 113 000Email: contact[at]mosaiquefm.net


Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief

Contact

0.23 Mio. $ / 0.5 Mio. TND (2015)

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



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javascript:linkTo_UnCryptMailto('ocknvq,eqpvcevBoquckswgho0pgv');




Diwan FMDiwan FM is a private radio in the city of Sfax broadcasting on FM. Itoffers general programming which ranges from news and sports tomusic. The Diwan Radio is the most listened to radio in Sfax.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

private

Local

free content

Addiwen de production audio visuelle


© ONT



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/uploads/tx_lfrogmom/media/131-diwan-geographic_coverage.JPG



Ownership

Ownership StructureOther shareholders:Abdel Aziz Loukil (1.5%), Lotfi Taktak (1%), Abbes Mseddi (7.2%), MohamedAmin Mseddi (1%), Wadii Mseddi (1%), Nejib Chaaben (1%), AhmedKhemiri,(0.5%), , Hsouna Mazghanni (1%), Rima Dhouib (3.8%), FaouziMasmoudi (4%), Mahdi Ben Omor (1.5%), Mondher Zayéni (1.5%), Zakia Abidi(1.5%), Rabaa Hadrich (1%), Mohamed Dhouib (1%)

Khaled Lahkim (5%) & Isthithmar Equipments (Khaled Lahkim) 7.2%

Famille Jamoussi:Mokhtar Hédi Jamoussi (2.8%)Bayya Jamoussi (2.8%)Chihem Jammousi (10.5%)Chékib Jammousi (4.3%)Chéfik Jammousi (3.8%)Ferdaous Jammousi (3.8%)

Yassine Laamouri (Agrimed): represents Lotfi Abdennadher

Individual OwnerLotfi Abdennadher 30.8%

Famille Jamoussi 28%



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/famille-jamoussi/




Addiwen de production audiovisuelle


Facts

General Information

2015

Abbes Mseddi, Chihem Jammousi, Abdel Aziz Loukil, Lotfi Taktak, NoemenHamza.

Abbes Mseddi (Managing Directorl)

Mahdi Ben Omor

Mahdi Ben Amor is shareholder of the company ADDIWEN DE PRODUCTIONAUDIO VISUELLE

Foued Mbarek

Editorial assistant

Founding Year

Founder

Ceo

Editor-In-Chief






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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/addiwen-de-production-audio-visuelle/





Route De Tenouir, Km 5 ,SFAX Immeuble [email protected]

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share



508 / 1471




Sabra FMTaking into consideration the creation of Radio Kairouan thatbroadcasted for a brief period during the 70s and which, for politicalreasons, did not last long, Sabra FM is the second private radio ofthe region.

Broadcasting since 14 January 2012, the station has a regional focusand communicates with the public in a mix of dialectic and literalArabic.

Key facts

Audience Share

Ownership Type

Geographic Coverage

Content Type


Missing Data

public

Local

free content

Société Khaldouni Production

© ONT



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/uploads/tx_lfrogmom/media/133-Sabra-_geographic_coverage.JPG




Ownership

CompanySIDCO SICAR ?

Individual OwnerSabra FM Shareholders ?


Facts

General Information

2013

Amor Naggazi

Founding Year

Founder



510 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/sidco-sicar/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/sabra-fm-shareholders/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/societe-khaldouni-production/




Further Information

CEO of the radio Sabra Fm, journalist for Sabra Fm, director of the festival“Printemps de Kairouan” and vice-president of the football, team fromKairouan "Al Chabiba"

Amor Naggazi

CEO of the radio Sabra Fm, journalist for Sabra Fm, director of the festival“Printemps de Kairouan” and vice-president of the football, team fromKairouan "Al Chabiba"

Wadiaa Naggazi

Directeur d'antenne

Adresse : Av, Abou Zamâa El Balaoui, 3100 Kairouan, TunisieTéléphone : +216.77.238.220 & +216.77.238.210Site web: www.radiosabrafm.net

Email : [email protected] / [email protected]


Ceo




Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Market Share

http://tunisiefm.net/sabra-fmHeadlines



511 / 1471

http://www.radiosabrafm.net/

http://www.radiosabrafm.net/



http://tunisiefm.net/sabra-fm



Media OwnershipLebanon has one of the most politicized landscapes, with nearly two thirds of the surveyed media belonging toactive political figures or political parties. Moreover, the most popular media outlets of each sector are in thehand of eight families with political interests, reinforcing the polarization of the media landscape.

The TV sector is the most popular when it comes to news, with the four major companies reaching 78.1% ofthe audience. Out of the nine national TV stations, six belong to the state or are owned or co-owned bycurrently active politicians, two are owned or co-owned by former or aspiring political figures, and one belongsto a political party.

The radio sector is very concentrated with the major four companies gathering 72% of the audience. It is alsovery politicized with four radio stations belonging to political parties and three to the state or currently activepoliticians.

The print sector is highly concentrated with the four major companies reaching 77.9% of the audience. Mostof the print outlets owners are politically affiliated. Six are owned or co-owned by currently active politicians,two are owned by a former parliamentary candidate and one is directly owned by a political party.

The online sector also witnesses strong political affiliation. Four out of ten of the covered websites arepolitically affiliated. Two websites are directly owned by political parties, one belongs to an incumbent Memberof Parliament and one belongs to a former parliamentary candidate.

And who owns these companies?Although most of the media outlets surveyed belong to a sole legal entity, it can be stated that 12 families areinvolved in media ownership, hence gaining influence over public opinion. When shedding light on thosefamilies, three trends appear: some families have been in the media sector for decades and entered politicsafter building a strong name for themselves in the media; some have begun their public life in politics and lateron invested in the media sector as a means to exert more influence; and some have been running the two livesin parallel, as their political role has always been backed by a presence in the media sector. And the number ofwomen as media owners is worryingly low.



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INDIVIDUAL OWNERS MEDIA COMPANIES

Owners Database



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/



Owners DatabaseMost of the people owning Lebanese media outlets are either politically affiliated, or belong to powerfulLebanese families, or have major business interests – sometimes all of the above combined. Women are under-represented, holding mostly minor shares as part of a bigger family.

Media and Politics Come Hand in HandForty-three current or former Ministers or Members of Parliament own shares in the selected mediacompanies. Out of them 15 are incumbent Members of Parliament or Government. Many more are politicallyaffiliated. High-level politicians are amongst the owners: the President of the Republic, the PrimeMinister, and the Speaker of Parliament all own media outlets directly or through their familymembers. Six political parties (including five represented in Parliament) and the Lebanese State also appear asowners. Out of the 37 monitored media outlets, 29 are owned by families, individuals or parties currently orformerly part of the Parliament or the executive.

Business, Politics, and MediaAmongst the media owners are well-known businessmen with various investments besides their shares inmedia companies, like the Khayat Family (Tahseen Khayat Group) and Al-Waleed Bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding. Insome cases, media owners and businessmen are also directly involved in politics, like the Mikati family (M1Group), Hariri family (various companies), Issam Fares (Wedge Group), and the Frem Family (INDEVCO Group).

No Women

The research shows that media ownership in Lebanon is male dominated; no woman is identified as individualowner. Women holding minor shares being the daughters, wives, aunts, in-laws, etc. of powerful men inprominent families. MP Bahia Hariri is an exception, owning 99.4% of the company that controls Radio Orient.However, she is part of the Hariri family, being the aunt of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and the sister of latePrime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Women rarely hold management positions. Out of the 35 identified CEOs, only one is a woman: Annahar’sNayla Tuéni, great-grand-daughter of the newspaper’s founder.

The gender ratio for board members of media organizations is slightly more balanced: women are present onalmost half of the boards (12 out of 27 identified). However, they do not represent more than half of the boardmembers.



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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/aoun-family/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//hariri-family/


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/berri-family/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/khayat-family/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/al-waleed-bin-talal/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/mikati-family/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/issam-fares/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/frem-family/


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/annahar/



Abdallah Zakhem Ahmad Hussein Al Waleed Bin Talal Ali Al Amine

Ali Ghandour Aoun Family Arz El Murr Family Awni El Kaaki

Berri Family Charles Ayoub Choueiri Family Daher-Saad Family



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/awni-el-kaaki/







Eddé Family Elias Bou Saab Free PatrioticMovement

Frem Family

Gabriel Murr Family Gebran Tohmé Ghaleb Chammaa Habib Lahoud

Hamdan Family Hani Hammoud Hariri Family Hassan Beydoun



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Hezbollah Ibrahim Al Amine Issam Fares Jamal Al Khatib

Joseph Sarkis Kallassi Family Kassem Soueid Khayat Family

Khazen Family Lebanese CommunistParty

Lebanese Forces Lebanese State



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Maroun Jazzar Marwan Kalo Michel Elias MurrFamily

Michel Kanbour

Mikati Family Moustafa El Husseini Nassar Family Nizar Younes

Phalange Party Pharaon Family Rabih Haber Safa Al Khoury



518 / 1471















Salah Osseiran Salam Family Simon Abou Fadel Syrian Social NationalistParty

Tueni Family William Mjalli Ya Sour Media andSocial Group

Youssef Wehbi



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Aoun FamilyMichel Aoun is the President of the Lebanese Republic. He waselected in October 2016 for a six-year term. He previously served asCommander of the Lebanese Army during the Lebanese civil war,from 1984 to 1990. When the term in office of former PresidentAmine Gemayel ended in September 1988 without a successorelected to assume the presidency, Gemayel appointed GeneralMichel Aoun as interim Prime Minister in charge of leading acaretaking government until the election of a new president.

During his tenure as Prime Minister, General Michel Aoun led adivided Lebanese Army in a conflict with the Syrian forces in Lebanon in 1989. He rejected the Taif Agreement,contesting the legitimacy of the Members of Parliament who signed it and the role that the Syrian regime wouldbe playing in Lebanon. The Aoun-led Lebanese Army also clashed with the Lebanese Forces militia, in one ofthe bloodiest intra-Christian episodes of the civil war. General Michel Aoun was eventually defeated on October13, 1990 and had to concede power to then President Elias Hraoui and his new government formed after theTaif Agreement. He left Lebanon months later and went into exile in France, from where he created the FreePatriotic Movement (FPM), a major force in the opposition to the Syrian regime’s hegemony over Lebanon.Supporters of FPM faced severe repression in Lebanon in the 1990s and until 2005.

After the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the subsequent withdrawal of the Syrianforces from Lebanon, General Michel Aoun returned to Lebanon on May 6, 2005 and led his party to becomethe second largest bloc in Parliament in June of that year. He was elected MP for Kesrwan. In February 2006, hesigned a Memorandum of Understanding with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and began a process ofreconciliation with the Syrian regime. He remained a top contender for the Lebanese presidency in 2007, butwithdrew his candidacy in May 2008 in favor of General Michel Sleiman and ensured a strong participation ofthe Free Patriotic Movement in the Council of Ministers. He was re-elected MP in 2009 and, after more than twoyears of presidential vacuum that started in 2014, he secured the support of two of his opponents (PrimeMinister Saad Hariri and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea) to be elected President of the Republic inOctober 2016.

Several members of Michel Aoun’s family play a prominent role in politics and media:

Claudine Aoun, daughter of Michel Aoun, President of the National Council of Lebanese Women, SpecialAssistant to the President of the Lebanese Republic Michel Aoun, founding member of the Free PatrioticMovement, and founder of Clémentine SAL communication agency. Married to Member of Parliament andformer Army General Chamel Roukoz.

Mireille Aoun, daughter of Michel Aoun, special advisor to the President, member of FPM’s Political Council,married to Roy Hachem, CEO of OTV.



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//hezbollah/



Chantal Aoun, daughter of Michel Aoun, married to Gebran Bassil, President of the Free Patriotic Movement,Member of Parliament (since 2018), president of the Strong Lebanon parliamentary bloc, Minister of ForeignAffairs and Emigrants (since 2014), former Minister of Energy and Water (2009-2014), former Minister ofTelecommunications (2008-2009).

Nadia Chami Aoun, wife of Michel Aoun, First Lady of Lebanon.

Alain Aoun, nephew of Michel Aoun, Member of Parliament since 2009.

Pierre Selwan, nephew of Michel Aoun, Chief Architect at Microsemi, a US-based microchip company.



521 / 1471





522 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/uploads/tx_lfrogmom/owner/aoun-01.png




OTV


Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

50%

50% TV



523 / 1471






Further Information

Elias Abou SaabCEO of Al-Mada Group and owner of Sawt Al Mada Radio.

Michel AounPresident of the Lebanese Republic (since 2016)

Gebran BassilSon-in-law of President Michel Aoun. Minister of Foreign Affairs andEmigrants (since 2013). Member of Parliament (since 2018). President of theFree Patriotic Movement

Claudine Aoun RoukozPresident of the National Commission for Lebanese Women. Daughter ofPresident Michel Aoun. Wife of MP Chamel Roukoz.

Roy HachemSon-in-law of President Michel Aoun. CEO of OTV.

Mireille Aoun HachemDaughter and Advisor of President Michel Aoun. Wife of Roy Hachem

Nadia Chami AounWife of President Michel Aoun. First Lady.

Chantal AounDaughter of President Michel Aoun. Wife of Minister Gebran Bassil

Affiliated Interests FamilyMembers Friends

Your Dictionary. Biography Michel Aoun. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

National Commission for Lebanese Women. Mrs. Claudine Aoun Roukoz:

Biography. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

L’Orient-Le Jour (2017). Mireille Aoun Hachem, le cœur et la raison...


ownership data is easily available from other sources, e. g.public registries etc.

Data Publicly Available

Sources



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http://biography.yourdictionary.com/michel-aoun

http://nclw.org.lb/en/mrs-claudine-aoun-roukoz-biography/

https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1039330/mireille-aoun-hachem-le-coeur-et-la-raison.html



Lebanon Files (2016). جبران جانب إلى نعيم يضم عون دارة في عشاء . Accessed on 22

November 2018.

RISC-V Summit. Pierre Selwan. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



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http://www.lebanonfiles.com/news/1119288

https://tmt.knect365.com/risc-v-summit/speakers/pierre-selwan



Hariri FamilyThe family of late Lebanon Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (1944 – 2005)counts his six children (Ayman, Fahd, Hind, Joumana, Saad,Bahaa), his widow Nazek Hariri, his sister MP Bahia Hariri, hisnephews Nader and Ahmad, as well as his brother Chafik. A tycoonand businessman, Hariri became a multi billionaire in Saudi Arabiaafter founding Saudi Oger, the construction company used by theSaudi royal family for most of their main investments. He wasassassinated in 2005.

After his death, his sons inherited stakes in Saudi Oger and Ayman,Fahd and Bahaa sold them to their brother Saad, Rafik’s second son and Lebanon’s current Prime Minister.Saad Hariri was appointed Prime Minister in December 2016. He had also occupied this position fromNovember 2009 to June 2011. He is the leader of the Future Movement since 2005. Prior to entering politics,Saad was the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Oger Telecom, which pursued telecommunicationinterests in the Middle East and Africa, from 1994 to 2005. In addition, he was the chairman of Omnia Holdingsand a board member of Oger International Entreprise de Travaux Internationaux, Saudi Oger, Saudi InvestmentBank, Saudi Research and Marketing Group and Lebanese television channel Future TV.

Bahaa, the eldest son, founded and chairs Horizon Group, a real estate holding company with investments inAmman, Jordan and Beirut, Lebanon. He helped revitalize an area of Amman in Jordan called Abdali. Theproject, in partnership with the Jordanian government, is worth an estimated $5 billion. Bahaa is also themajority owner of Globe Express Services, a logistics company with a presence in more than 100 countries.

Ayman, the third son, sold his 42% stake in the family holding company GroupeMed in 2017, with interests inbanking and real estate, for $535 million. He invests in startups through the New York-based firm Red SeaVentures; among its investments was smart thermostat Nest, now part of Google. He is a cofounder and CEO ofVero, an ad-free social media platform that lets users share music, videos and photos.

Fahd, the youngest son, invested some of the proceeds of the sale of his Oger shares to his brother in 2012 inthree Lebanese banks, including Bank Audi, and in real estate in New York and Paris. He has also developedthree residential buildings in Beirut.

Rafik’s sister, Bahia Hariri is involved in the Hariri Foundation in Saida. A politician, Bahia was elected asMember of Parliament for the Sunni seat in Saida in 1992. She was reelected in 1996, 2000, 2009 and 2018.From July 2008 to November 2009 she served as Minister of Education. She is also a goodwill ambassador forthe UNESCO, and heads the Islamic Organization for Higher Education. She also serves on the Advisory Councilof World Links Arab Region. Since 1992, Bahia has been member of the board of trustees of the LebaneseAmerican University.

Rafik’s widow, Nazik serves as a Non-Executive at BankMed S.A.L. and as a Director of GroupMed S.A.L.



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(Holding) and Arab Bank PLC - Jordan. She serves as the President of the Rafik Hariri Foundation and severalother humanitarian, cultural and educational institutions in Lebanon and the Gulf region. She is the FirstAmbassador of the International Osteoporosis Foundation, as well as President of this Foundation's 206-ABone Fund.

The Hariri family is involved in several media outlets, either directly or through intermediary companies theyown. They are involved in Annahar through Al Mal Investment Co. SAL, in Al-Mustaqbal newspaper and FutureTV directly, in Radio Orient through Wave Holding, and in The Daily Star through D.S. Holding and MillenniumDevelopment. Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri also had shares in Télé Liban, which were bought by thegovernment he was leading in 1996. The Hariri family also owns the Paris-based Radio Orient, broadcasting inFrance.



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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-mustaqbal/




http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/the-daily-star/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/uploads/tx_lfrogmom/owner/hariri-01_02.png



Radio Orient SAL Future Television SAL Annahar SAL

Arab United Press Corp SAL The Daily Star SAL


99.4% 59.1% 39.6%

98% 100%



528 / 1471











Radio Orient Future TV Annahar

Al Mustaqbal The Daily Star

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Saudi Oger

Oger International Entreprise de Travaux Internationaux

Horizon Group

Construction & Real Estate

99.4% Radio 59.1% TV 39.6% Print

98% Print 100% Print



529 / 1471












Millenium Development

Oger Telecom

Vero

Golbe Express Services

Omnia Holdings

Saudi Investment Bank

GroupMed

Bank Audi

BankMed

Arab Bank PLC

Med Gulf

Red Sea Ventures

Al Mal Investment Co. SAL

Wave Holding

D.S. Holding


Saudi Research and Marketing Group

Radio Orient SAL


Annahar SAL

Telecommunications

Digital Media

Logistics

Chemicals

Banking

Insurance

Investment

Publishing



530 / 1471



Family & Friends

Further Information

Arab United Press Corp

The Daily Star SAL

Bahaa Haririeldest brother of Saad Hariri, founder and chair of Horizon Group (rest estateholding company with major investments in Jordan), and majority owner ofGlobe Express Services (logistics company).

Ayman Hariribrother of Saad Hariri, is an investor through Red Sear Ventures and CEO ofthe social media platform Vero.

Fahad Haririyoungest brother of Saad Hariri and an investor in three Lebanese banks andreal estate companies in New York, Paris and Beirut.

Bahia Haririaunt of Saad Hariri, and a member of Parliament for the Sunni seat in Saida(since 1992), former minister of education (2008-2009).

Nazik Haririwidow of Rafik Hariri and serves as Non-Exactuive at BankMed S.A.L and as aDirector of GroupMed S.A.L. (Holding) and Arab Bank PLC - Jordan.

Nader Haririson of Bahia and cousin of Saad Hariri, former chief-of-staff of Saad Hariri(2009-2018), involved in Al Mal Investment and Millennium Development.


Reuters (2018). Saudi Sets up Committee on Saudi Oger Debt

Restructuring. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Headlines



531 / 1471

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-construction-restructuring/saudi-sets-up-committee-on-saudi-oger-debt-restructuring-sources-idUSKBN1HW1H6



The New Arab (2018). Riyadh set to seize Lebanese Prime Minister Saad

Hariri's assets. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

According to media reports Saudi Oger ended operations in July 2017.

Forbes Profile Ayman Hariri. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Forbes Profile Bahaa Hariri. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Forbes Profile Fahd Hariri. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Bloomberg. Company Overview of BankMed S.A.L. Accessed on 7

November 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



532 / 1471

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2018/1/15/riyadh-set-to-seize-hariris-assets-in-saudi-arabia

https://www.forbes.com/profile/ayman-hariri/

https://www.forbes.com/profile/bahaa-hariri/

https://www.forbes.com/profile/fahd-hariri/

https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=78900239&privcapId=28977176



Mikati FamilyNajib Azmi Mikati was Lebanon’s Prime Minister in 2005 and from2011 to 2014. He entered political life first as Minister of PublicWorks and Transport in 1998, a position he held until 2004.Meanwhile, he was elected as a Member of Parliament representingTripoli from 2000 to 2005 and from 2009 to 2011.

Together with his brother Taha Mikati, Najib created the M1 Groupinvestment firm and the Investcom company. The latter started inconstruction work and then sold satellite phones during the civil warand before expanding in building cell towers in many Africancountries. Through Investcom Holding they own 4% of the shares in LBCI and the news website Lebanon24.Investcom was listed on the London and Dubai Stock Exchange.

The M1 Group is also involved in the telecommunications sector through MTN, real estate, commercial jets andairlines retail stores, clothing brands such as Façonnable, Pepe Jeans and Hackett London, supermarkets, creditcard clearing through Areeba, as well as stakes in Bank Audi. The CEO of M1 Group is Najib’s nephew andTaha’s son Azmi.

Born in 1955, Najib holds a BA and an MBA from the American University of Beirut. Forbes estimates the Mikatibrothers to be the richest family in Lebanon, with an estimated net worth at $2.3 billion (Najib), and net worthat $2.4 billion (Taha).



533 / 1471





Lubnan 24 SAL Lebanese Broadcasting CorporationInternational SAL


99.9%



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Lebanon 24 LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

M1 Capital

M1 Capital

Areeba

M1 Limited (MTN)

M1 Real Estate

Investcom

M1 Commercial Jets

M1 Travel (Baboo)

M1 Fashion ( Façonnable, Pepe Jeans, Hackett London)

Investment

Financial Services

Telecommunications

Real Estate

Construction

Aviation

Consumer Goods

99.9% Online 4% TV



535 / 1471





Family & Friends

Further Information

Emerge Distributions

M1 Industries (Dairiday, J Sainsbury)

M1 Energy (Avante Petroleum)

Consumer goods distribution

Consumer goods

Energy

Taha Mikatibrother of Najib Mikati and co-founder of M1 Group and Investcom.

Azmi Mikatison of Taha, nephew of Najib Mikati, CEO of M1 Group.

Nicolas NahhasMember of Parliament (since 2018), former Minister of Economy and Trade(2011-2014), shareholder in Malia Group, one of the minor co-owners of LBCI.

Fares Gemayelmedia advisor to Najib Mikati, and minor shareholder in Lebanon 24.

Khaldoun Sharifpolitical advisor to Najib Mikati, former President of the Lebanese PalestinianDialogue Committee (2011-2014), and minor shareholder in Lebanon 24.


M1 Group Website. Accessed 22 November 2018.



Sources



536 / 1471

https://www.m1group.com/sectors/



Issam Fares


Issam Fares was a Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2005 andwas Deputy Prime Minister from 2000 to 2005. Besides hisinvolvement in politics, Fares is an entrepreneur who established acivil engineering and construction firm, and completed manynotable projects including the world's longest international bridge,which connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia. He sold this company toBritish Aerospace, and used the proceeds to buy up Houston-basedinvestment firm, Wedge Group, a company that he heads today.

Wedge Group, is a Houston, Texas-based investment firm, withinvestments in manufacturing, hotels, trucking, food processing, engineering, construction, oilfield services,and real estate. Wedge International Holdings B.V. in the Netherlands, and Wedge Real Estate S.A.L. in Lebanonare affiliates that own and manage the company’s non-U.S. investments.

Fares is the founder of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at theAmerican University of Beirut, the founder of the Fares Institute of Technology at Balamand University,and of the Fares Center at Tufts University. Issam’s son, Nijad Fares, is the chairman of Link Group and Wedgeequities. He is also a shareholder at LBCI.


20%



537 / 1471





LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information

Michael Faresson of Issam Fares, member of the American University of Beirut’s Board ofTrustees.

Nijad Faressecond son and is the chairman of Link Group and Wedge Equities.

Noor Faresdaughter of Issam Fares and jewelry designer.

Fares Faresthird son of Issam Fares.

William MjalliFormer Chief-of-Staff and Executive Director of the Fares Foundation


20% TV



538 / 1471


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/william-mjalli/



Arabian Business Rich List 2010. Accessed on 9 November 2018.

Nijad Fares. Biography. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Wedge Group. About Us. Accessed on 9 November 2018.



Sources



539 / 1471

https://www.arabianbusiness.com/arabian-business-rich-list-2010-367763.html?view=profile&itemid=367875

http://www.nijadfares.org/biography/

https://www.wedgegroup.com/about-us/



Michel Elias Murr FamilyThe Michel Elias Murr family is involved in business and politics.Group Murr, which they own, is involved in media, construction andmaintenance, and several real estate development projects inLebanon. The family has also owned a private aviation fleet since1967. Its consolidated turnover exceeds 2 billion US dollars.

The family is a significant political player. Michel Elias Murr Sr. firstserved in the Lebanese Parliament from 1968 to 1972, and has beenin Parliament since 1991. He also held ministerial positions from1979 to 1982, and from 1990 to 2000 (when he was also DeputyPrime Minister). His son Elias Murr is the President of the Board of the Interpol Foundation for a Safer World.He served as Minister of Interior (2000-2004), Minister of Defense (2005-2011), and Deputy Prime Minister(2005-2008; 2009-2011). Elias Murr was married to Carine Lahoud, daughter of former President of the RepublicEmile Lahoud. Elias Murr's sister, Myrna, is the President of the Bteghrine Municipality and President of theMetn Federation of Municipalities. She is the mother of former MP Nayla Tueni from her first marriage toformer MP Gebran Tueni. Myrna Murr later married Mr. Pierre Aboucharaf, son of former MP LouisAboucharaf. Michel Elias Murr is the brother of Gabriel Murr, whose family owns MTV and several othermedia outlets. But the two sides of the family do not have joint business interests. Michel Elias Murr is also theuncle of Arz El Murr, whose family owns El-Nashra website and other business interests. But here again, thereare no joint interests between the two sides of the family.

Group Murr has also announced the launch of a new French-language daily newspaper in Lebanon, L'Appel(which was supposed to be launched in 2017).



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//tueni-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//arz-el-murr-family/






99%



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Al Joumhouria

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Group Murr

Al Joumhouria Health

Al Joumhouria Technology

Al Joumhouria Women

Al Joumhouria Cars

Group Murr Aviation


Media

Aviation

99% Print



542 / 1471





Further Information

Elias Murrson of Michel Elias Murr, former Deputy Prime Minister, former Minister ofInterior and Defense, President of the Interpol Foundation for a Safer World.

Mirna Murrdaughter of Michel Elias Murr, President of the Bteghrine Municipality and theMetn Federation of Municipalities.

Nayla Tuénigranddaughter of Michel Elias Murr, former Member of Parliament, and CEOand Editor-in-Chief of Annahar Newspaper.

Michèle Tuénigranddaughter of Michel Elias Murr, columnist in Annahar Newspaper.

Michel Elias Murr Jr.grandson of Michel Elias Murr and of former President of the Republic EmileLahoud, CEO of Al Joumhouria News Corp.


CV Michel Elias Murr. Accessed 15 November 2018.

About Group Murr. Accessed 15 November 2018.



Sources



543 / 1471

http://www.elias-murr.com/cvv3.pdf

http://www.groupmurr.com/abouts



Salam Family


Salah Salam is a Lebanese journalist. His daughters Nisrine, Sirineand Nadine own 98% of the shares of Dar Al-Liwaa, Al-Liwaanewspaper’s publishing house, founded by his brother Abdel GhaniSalam. Salah Salam owns 1% and his wife Najwa 1% as well. Heunsuccessfully ran for the Presidency of the Lebanese Press Orderand lost to El-Shark owner Awni Al-Kaaki in 2015, and for aparliamentary seat in Beirut during the 2018 election.


100%



544 / 1471




Al-Liwaa

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information



100% Print



545 / 1471




Lebanese Forces


The Lebanese Forces played a major role during the Lebanese CivilWar when they were the armed branch of the Phalange Party beforegaining their autonomy. After the civil war ended its activities wereseverely restricted by the pro-Syrian government, the party waseven disbanded and its leader, Samir Geagea, jailed for life in 1994for the assassination of former Prime Minister Rashid Karami in1987. The Lebanese Forces joined the March 14 alliance after theassassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The LebaneseForces entered the Parliament for the first time in 2005 after thewithdrawal of the Syrian forces, and became the second largestChristian party in the 2018 election, with 15 seats in Parliament.

The Lebanese Forces own Radio Liban Libre, Al-Massira monthly magazine, Lebanese-forces.com news website,as well as a sports website Sports-Leb.com, an entertainment website 7asriyan.com, and the local magazineMaraya El-Jebbe. The party has established LBC in 1985, which was placed under the leadership of PierreDaher, who later bought LBC and turned it into LBCI. Today, the Lebanese Forces and Daher and embroiled in alegal dispute regarding ownership of LBCI.




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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/hariri-family/


https://www.sports-leb.com/

https://www.7asriyan.com/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/daher-saad-family/






Radio Liban Libre Lebanese-Forces.com

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Al-Massira Monthly Magazine

Sports-Leb.com

7asriyan.com

Maraya El-Jebbe Local Magazine

Publishing

Samir GeageaPresident of the Lebanese Forces (since 1986)

Sethrida GeageaMember of Parliament (since 2005), wife of Samir Geagea


100% Radio 100% Online



547 / 1471







Further Information

Flags of the World (2013). Lebanese Forces. Accessed on 14 November

2018.

CIA (2008). Lebanon: The Lebanese Forces Militia. Accessed on 14

November 2018.

LBIC International (2012). Court Drops Lebanese Forces case against

LBCI’s Daher. Accessed on 14 November 2018.



Sources



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https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/lb%7Dlf.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP06T00412R000201120001-4.pdf

https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/d/breaking-news/22350/court-drops-lebanese-forces-case-against-lbcis-dah/en



Khayat Family

Al Jadeed SAL

Tahseen Khayat is a businessman, founder and CEO of Al Jadeedand Tahseen Khayat Group a company involved in publishing,printing, distribution, media, energy production, oil and gas,engineering, leisure and hospitality, in Lebanon, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait,the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Although not directly involved in Lebanese politics, Tahseen Khayathad several face-offs with the authorities. In the 1990s, hisopposition to former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and to the Head ofthe Syrian Intelligence in Lebanon led to the exclusion of Al Jadeedfrom the list of media outlets granted licenses to broadcast. After Al Jadeed resumed broadcasting in 2001,Tahseen Khayat was briefly arrested and accused of collaboration with Israel, then released and cleared.

Tahseen’s children are also involved in the TV channel, mainly his daughter Karma, Deputy General Manager ofAl Jadeed. In 2015, she faced trial before the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the Hague, accused of contempt tothe court and obstruction of justice, when the channel revealed details about witnesses that the Tribunal wassupposed to call for testimony. She was eventually acquitted in April 2016.

Karma’s siblings, Karim, Bouchra, Nadia, and Ghida are also shareholders.


58.1%



549 / 1471






Al-Jadeed

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Khayat and Nassif Eng.

Middle East Power

SportsVille

Phoenix Hospitality Management

Eighteen Sixty Six Hotel

Garnet Publishing

Geoprojects Limited

Garnet Education

All Prints

Engineering

Hospitality

Publishing

58.1% TV



550 / 1471




Family & Friends

Further Information

International Press

All PrintsDistribution

Salah Khayatnephew of Thahseen Khayat and CEO of Petroleb.


Thaseen Group Website. Accessed on 23 November.

Executive Magazine (2014). Lebanon’s murky petroleum business.

Accessed on 23 November.

Janoubia (2003). بنما وثائق في وعائلته خياط تحسين . Accessed on 23 November.

Elaph (2003). توقيفه على ساعة24بعد لبنان في التلفزيونية" في تي نيو "محطة مالك عن الفراج .


Al-Moustaqbal (2003). بالتوافق إال ّلُتح ال بيروت بلدية قضية أن أكد . Accessed on 23

November.

BBC (2015). Lebanese journalist on trial for contempt at Hague. Accessed

on 23 November.

Reuters (2016). Lebanese journalist acquitted of contempt of Hague court

on appeal. Accessed on 23 November.



Sources



551 / 1471

http://www.tahseenkhayatgroup.com/

http://www.executive-magazine.com/business-finance/business/lebanons-murky-petroleum-business

http://janoubia.com/2016/05/02/%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%82-%D8%A8%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7/

https://elaph.com/ElaphWeb/Archive/1070833651350064700.html

https://almustaqbal.com/article/41573/


https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-journalist-idUSKCN0WA2HJ



Daher-Saad Family


Pierre El Daher is the Chairman & CEO of the LebaneseBroadcasting Corporation International.

In 1995 he established LBC SAT which soon rose to become aregional and international broadcasting channel across the MENAregion, Europe, America and Australia. El Daher also launched in2007 production house PAC ltd, and remained its Chairman andCEO until 2011.

Daher and his relatives are involved in several media-relatedsectors, including Vanilla Production, which produces entertainment shows for LBCI, as well as othercompanies, such as World Media Group and Monitor Holding. Pierre Daher's daughter is engaged to MajdHarb, son of former MP and Minister Boutros Harb.


50.6%



552 / 1471




LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

PAC LTD

Vanilla Production

World Media Group

Monitor Holding

Media Production

Media

Marcel Daherbrother Pierre Daher and shareholder of LBCI.

Randawife of Pierre Daher and shareholder of LBCI.


50.6% TV



553 / 1471




Further Information

Roulasister of Randa and shareholder of LBCI.

Imanesister of Randa, a shareholder of LBCI and owns one third of World MediaGroup.

Rimasister of Randa and shareholder of LBCI.

Peterson of Pierre Daher, owns one third of World Media Group and one third ofMonitor Holding.

Yaradaughter of Pierre Daher owns one third of World Media Group and one thirdof Monitor Holding.

Rayson of Pierre Daher and owns one third of Monitor Holding.

Pierre Daher's Website. Accessed 22 November 2018.



Sources



554 / 1471

http://www.daher-pierre.com/



Khazen Family


The Khazen family has been involved in the ownership structure ofVoix du Liban 93.3 radio station since 1993 when Simon Al-Khazen,the owner of the Société Moderne d’Information SAL, became themajority shareholder after a law passed, forbidding political partiesto directly own media outlets. Since it was created in 1975, Voix duLiban belonged to the Phalange Party – of which Simon Al-Khazenwas the vice-president. The issue of ownership remained the subjectof a legal controversy between the Phalange Party and the SociétéModerne d’Information SAL, represented by the heirs of the lateSimon Al-Khazen – who have been running the radio station sincethe 1990s.

Today, the Khazens own around 35% of the radio station through Société Moderne d’Information SAL. Imad Al-Khazen, son of Simon Al-Khazen, is Voix Du Liban 93.3’s CEO and one of the main shareholders, his brotherTarek who works for a USAID funded project is also a main shareholder, as is Ziad, the third brother alsoworking as BankMed loyalty program manager.


35.1%



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Voix du Liban 93.3

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information

Imad Khazenson of Simon Al-Khazen. He is VDL 93.3’s CEO and one of the mainshareholders.

Tarek Khazenmain shareholder and works for a USAID-funded project.

Ziad Khazenthird son, main shareholder and the BankMED loyalty program manager.


Information about official titles and missions is taken from the LinkedInprofiles of Ziad, Tarek and Imad Al-Khazen.



Meta Data

35.1% Radio



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Khiyam (2010) اليوم؟ االذاعة يملك من: لبنان صوت هنا . Accessed on 9 November 2018.

Al Attar, S. (2016). Voix du Liban: les Kataëb remportent la bataille du nom

en appel. Le Commerce du Levant. Accessed on 10 November 2018.

The Daily Star (2010). Award launched in honor of Simon Khazen.


L'Orient-Le Jour (2010). La Voix du Liban a fait ses adieux à Simon el-

Khazen. Accessed on 10 November 2018.

Sources



557 / 1471


https://www.lecommercedulevant.com/article/25907-voix-du-liban-les-katab-remportent-la-bataille-du-nom-en-appel

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2010/Mar-25/56991-award-launched-in-honor-of-simon-khazen.ashx

https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/647621/La%2BVoix_du_Liban_a_fait_ses_adieux_a_Simon_el-Khazen.html



Eddé Family


Michel Eddé is the CEO of the daily newspaper L’Orient Le Jourand the monthly economic magazine Le Commerce du Levant.Known to be a strong advocate of the Francophonie, he has servedin several ministries - more specifically Information and Culture -from 1966 to 1998. Michel is also the President of the MaroniteFoundation, in which other media owning families are represented(Kallassi, Boustani, Frem, among others). Michel’s son, Salim, is theco-founder of the multinational financial software company Murex.Michel’s daughter, Isabelle, is married to Philippe Helou, son offormer MP Pierre Helou and brother of current MP Henri Helou.Philippe and Isabelle’s sons, Michel and Selim, both serve on the board of L’Orient-Le Jour, and Michel is thenewspaper’s Executive Director, where he has been leading the digital transformation.


38%



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//kallassi-family/




L’Orient-Le Jour

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

MurexFinance

Salimson of Michel Eddé and co-founder of the multinational financial softwarecompany Murex.

Isabelledaughter of Michel Eddé and married to Philippe Helou, brother of currentMP Henri Helou.

Selim Helouson of Philippe and Isabelle Helou, serves on the board of L’Orient-Le Jour.


38% Print



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Further Information

Michel Helouson of Philippe and Isabelle Helou, serves on the board of L’Orient-Le Jourand is the newspaper’s Executive Director.

Baaklini (2016). Michel Eddé à la tête de la prestigieuse Fondation Michel

Chiha. L’Orient Le Jour. Accessed on 15 November 2018.

The Maronite Foundation. Board of Trustees. Accessed on 15 November

2018.

Fleury (2013). La saga des grands familles libanaises. La Liberté. Accessed

on 10 November 2018.

Rotivel (2000). Raymond Eddé, « croisé » de l'indépendance, est mort. La

Croix. Accessed on 10 November 2018.

Vaudano & Baruch (2016). « Panama papers »: de riches Français muets

sur leurs montages offshore. Accessed on 10 November 2018.

Headlines



Sources



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https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/976369/michel-Edd%C3%A9-a-la-tete-de-la-prestigieuse-fondation-michel-chiha.html

https://www.maronitefoundation.org/

https://www.rts.ch/docs/histoire-vivante/a-lire/4604187.html/BINARY/li_2013-01-25_hv_08_hv.pdf

https://www.la-croix.com/Archives/2000-05-12/Raymond-Edd%C3%A9-croise-de-l-independance-est-mort-_NP_-2000-05-12-108316

https://www.lemonde.fr/panama-papers/article/2016/04/09/panama-papers-de-riches-francais-muets-sur-leurs-montages-offshore_4899119_4890278.html



Pharaon Family


Minister of State for Planning Michel Pharaon is a close ally of theHariri family and of the Lebanese Forces. His sister Nayla is marriedto Jean de Freige, brother of former MP and Minister Nabil deFreige, also a Future Movement member.

Michel Pharaon became a well-known Lebanese and Arab figureafter developing businesses in the Middle East and West and sub-Saharan Africa. He serves as the Chairman of the Board and ChiefExecutive Officer of Pharaon Holding S.A.L, the Chairman of theBoard of Libano-Suisse Insurance Company and a non ExecutiveDirector of Amana Cooperative Insurance Company. A board member of LBCI and MedNet, he holds theposition of Honorary President of the Lebanese Chess Federation.

The Pharaon family also owns the monthly French-language economic magazine Le Commerce du Levant, andhalf of Téléjour Holding, which is a shareholder in LBCI.


15.4%



561 / 1471




L’Orient-Le Jour

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Pharaon Holding SAL

Libano-Suisse Insurance

Amana Cooperative Insurance

MedNet

Le Commerce du Levant

Téléjour Holding

Investment

Insurance

Healthcare

Media

Television & radiobroadcasting

15.5% Print



562 / 1471





Further Information

Hariri Familyclose allies of Michel Pharaon.

Nayla PharaonMichel's sister and married to Jean de Freige, brother of former MP andMinister Nabil de Freige.


Bloomberg. Profile Michel Pierre Pharaon. Accessed on 15 November

2018.

Melkite Council. Accessed on 15 November 2018.



Sources



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http://melkitecouncil.com/?p=eliteslink&i=23



Tueni FamilyThe Tueni family has always been involved in journalism andpolitics. Annahar's founder, Gebran Tueni Sr., was elected Memberof Parliament in 1937.

His son, Ghassan Tueni, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Annahar from1947 to 1999, and then from 2005 until his death in 2012, was also aMember of Parliament from 1951 to 1957, then from 2005 to 2009,Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Nations from 1977 to 1982,government minister from 1970 to 1971, and then again from 1975to 1977, as well as Deputy Prime Minister from 1970 to 1971.

Ghassan Tueni's son, Gebran (1957-2005), CEO and Editor-in-Chief from 1999 until his assassination in 2005,was elected Member of Parliament in 2005 but was killed seven months after his election. Gebran's daughter,Nayla – the current CEO and editor-in-chief - was a Member of Parliament from 2009 to 2018. Her sisterMichelle unsuccessfully ran for office during the 2018 parliamentary election.

The Tueni family is also connected to other major political families. Ghassan Tueni was married to poet NadiaHamade (1935-1983), sister of MP and Education Minister Marwan Hamade. In 1996, Tueni married ChadiaKhazen, sister of former Tourism Minister Wadih Khazen. Gebran Tueni also married twice. His first marriagewas to Mirna Murr, President of the Metn Federation of Municipalities, daughter of MP and former DeputyPrime Minister Michel Elias Murr and sister of former Deputy Prime Minister Elias Murr. The Murr family isalso involved in media through their ownership of Al-Joumhouria newspaper. Nayla Tueni is the daughter ofMirna Murr, which makes her the grand-daughter of Michel Elias Murr, and niece of Elias Murr; she is marriedto TV presenter Malek Maktabi.



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Annahar SAL

Annahar


Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

22.9%

23% Print



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Further Information

Mirna Murrfirst wife of Gebran Tueni, mother of Nayla Tueni and daughter of formerDeputy Prime Minister Michel Elias Murr. She is involved in municipal politics.

Malek Maktabiis the husband of Nayla Tueni and TV presenter.


Al-Arabiya. Author Profile Nayla Tueni. Accessed 15 November 2018.



Sources



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https://english.alarabiya.net/authors/Nayla-Tueni.html



Gabriel Murr FamilyGabriel Murr is a Lebanese businessman who launched MTV in1991. He is the brother of current MP and former Deputy PrimeMinister Michel Elias Murr. But in the early 2000s, Gabriel andMichel had a fallout, which culminated in 2002 when Gabriel ran forParliament against his niece, Myrna, Michel’s daughter. He wasinitially declared as the winner until the Constitutional Councilcancelled his election months later, at a time when most institutionswere under the influence of the Syrian regime.

His children run today the TV stations and a number of other mediaoutlets and real estate projects.

Michel Gabriel Murr is the CEO of MTV. In 1999, he started MTV’s satellite broadcast. In 1994, he foundedStudiovision, a production house for MTV and other media outlets, including the Arabic-language Americanchannel Al-Hurra. He was also involved with his brother in a number of radio stations: Radio Mont-Liban (RML)today named NRJ; Nostalgie; Jabal Lubnan Radio. In 2003, he also became the Manager of Rotana, a music andentertainment pan-Arab network of TV stations, owned by Saudi Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal. His involvementwith Rotana ended in 2015. He was cleared of a court case in 2018 where he was accused of having beeninvolved in an illegal internet scandal which occurred in 2016.

Jyad Gabriel Murr started RML in 1979 at the age of 14. He is the founder and current CEO of VirginMegastores Lebanon. He graduated from AUB with a degree in Business Administration and also holds aMaster’s degree in Music Production and Technology and another in Music Business from Berklee College ofMusic.

Carl Gabriel Murr, is the third son of Gabriel Murr. He is a founding member at Studiovision and a co-owner ofZaarour Club (a ski resort).

Carol Murr-Farah is the daughter of Gabriel Murr and the Chief Financial Officer of MTV. She is also on theboard of Studiovision, NRJ, Nostalgie and RML, and the CEO of Zaarour Club.



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/uploads/tx_lfrogmom/owner/murr-01_06.png



MTV SAL

MTV


Media Outlets

Facts

Business

TV



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Family & Friends

Further Information

One TV

NRJ

Nostalgie

Jabal Lebnan

Aghani Aghani

Studiovision

2U2C event management

Virgin Megastores Lebanon

Zaarour Club (ski resort)


Media Production

Event Management

Retail

Real Estate

Michel Gabriel Murrson of Gabriel Murr and CEO of MTV.

Jyad Gabriel Murrsecond son of Gabriel Murr, he is founder and CEO of Virgin MegastoresLebanon.

Carl Gabriel Murrthird son of Gabriel Murr and co-owner of Zaarour Club.

Carol Murr-Farahdaughter of Gabirel Murr, Chief Financial Officer at MTV, member of severalboards and CEO of Zaarour Club.




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LinkedIn Jyad Murr. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Daily Star. Michel Gabriel Murr. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

LinkedIn Carol El Murr. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

LinkedIn Carl Murr. Accessed on 7 November 2018.



Sources



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https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyadmurr/

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Entity/People/314703227/Michel-Gabriel-El-Murr.ashx?utm_source=Magnet&utm_medium=Entities%20widget&utm_campaign=Magnet%20tools%20/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-el-murr-5aa1935/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-murr-409b371b/



Hezbollah


Hezbollah was created in 1982 by a group of Lebanese ShiaMuslims to try to drive Israel out of Lebanon and establish anIslamic State, on the model of the Islamic Republic in Iran. Itgarnered power, funding and armament from Iran and local supportfrom the Shia community.

Hezbollah continued to fight Israel after the civil war until Israelwithdrew in 2000 as it was one of the few militia groups thatavoided disarmament, with the support of the Syrian regime thatwas controlling Lebanese politics from 1990 to 2005. A 34-day warbetween Hezbollah and Israel occurred in July 2006 where more than 1,100 Lebanese civilians were killed. Since2012, Hezbollah has been involved in the Syrian conflict, fighting alongside regime forces.

Hezbollah's official media outlets include Al-Manar TV, Al-Nour radio, and Al-Ahed News website, through theLebanese Communication Group L.C.G. SAL. Hezbollah also controls a web of different charities, schools,hospitals, construction companies, and social services providers.


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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/lebanese-communication-group-lcg-sal/




Al-Nour Al-Manar

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

Al-Ahed NewswebsitePublication

Britannica. Hezbollah. Accessed on 14 November 2018.

ownership data is not publicly available, company/channeldenies the release of information or does not respond, nopublic record exists

Data Unavailable

Sources

100% Radio 100% TV



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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hezbollah



Berri Family


Nabih Berri has been Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament since1992, making him the world’s longest serving head of a legislativeassembly. He is also the president of Amal Movement, a MuslimShia political party that took an active part in the Lebanese civil war.The Amal Movement’s parliamentary block includes 16 MPs, makingit the third largest. After years of violent rivalry, the Amal Movementand Hezbollah have been close allies since 1992. While not directlyinvolved in business himself, several family members of SpeakerBerri have interest in various economic and social sectors, includinghis wife Randa, his sons Mustapha and Bassel, his brotherMahmoud, his sister Amina, and his son-in-law Ayman Jomaa.

Amina Mostafa Berri is the sister of Nabih Berri. Besides being a shareholder at NBN, she is the head of theMedical-Social Services Department at the Lebanese Red Cross, and the head of the Southern Women’s Houseassociation. She is married to Hassan Fawaz, the former Deputy Director General of State Security.

Mahmoud Berri is the brother of Nabih Berri and one of his foreign policy advisors. He is also a board memberof a major real estate company, Société Foncière du Liban.

Samira Assi is the sister of Randa Berri, Nabih’s wife. She is also the President of the Lebanese Publishers’Federation.


19.1%



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NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Société Foncière du Liban

Shazam

Muzeit

Numbase

Numcall

Nomtome

Daily Millionaire

Real Estate

Technology

Lottery

19.7% TV



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Further Information

Randa Berriwife of Nabih Berri and President of the Lebanese Association for the Welfareof the Handicapped.

Mahmoud Berribrother of Nabih Berri.

Amina Berrisister of Nabih Berri.

Ayman Jomaason-in-law of Nabih Berri.

Samira Assisister-in-law of Nabih Berri.


Business FM. Mahmoud Berri . Accessed on 22 November 2018.

AlkanAbout (2016). Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Alafkar (2014). بـــــــري رنــــدة السيدة مـن بدعـوة المعاقين لألطفال يدويـة أشغال . Accessed on

22 November 2018.

Janoubia (2012). اللبنانية للسياسة» وعائلته بري نبيه شركة «هي هذه . Accessed on 22

November 2018.

Sarab Mag. ّلىو-وقد-تقرأ-ال-أمة-نحن-نعم-عاصي-سميرة Accessed on 22 November

2018.

Syndicate of Publishers Union Lebanon. وتاريخها النقابة عن تعريف . Accessed on

22 November 2018.

األمانة حامل حامل.. نبيه لألخ المالية اإلمبراطورية Accessed on 7 November 2018.



Sources



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https://dirigeants.bfmtv.com/Mahmoud-BERRI-5393685/

http://www.alankabout.com/literature/books/57535.html?p=6

http://alafkar.net/%D8%A3%D8%B4%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%8A%D9%80%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B7%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%80%D9%88%D8%A9/

http://janoubia.com/2012/08/26/%D9%87%D8%B0%D9%87-%D9%87%D9%8A-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D9%86%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%87-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%A7/

http://www.sarabmag.com/ar/interview/%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%8A-%D9%86%D8%B9%D9%85-%D9%86%D8%AD%D9%86-%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A3-%D9%88%D9%82%D8%AF-%D9%88%D9%84%D9%91%D9%89/

http://publishersunionlb.com/ar/index.php/syndicate

http://janoubia.com/2017/05/06/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE-%D9%86%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%87-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%AD/



Nabih Berri Facts. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Exclusive WSN interview with Bilal Sharara, Secretary General of the

Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Commission in Lebanon. Accessed on 7

November 2018.

Moyen-Orient : la grande guerre aura-t-elle lieu au printemps ?. Accessed

on 7 November 2018.

Berri appoints Sharara Director General of Arab Parliamentary Center.


ICIJ. Offshore Leaks. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



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http://biography.yourdictionary.com/nabih-berri

http://www.worldsecuritynetwork.com/Broader-Middle-East/manuela-paraipan/Exclusive-WSN-interview-with-Bilal-Sharara-Secretary-General-of-the-Foreign-Affairs-Parliamentary-Commission-in-Lebanon

https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinions/moyen-orient-la-grande-guerre-aura-t-elle-lieu-au-printemps-1972155803

http://www.kataeb.org/news/2012/05/29/berri-appoints-sharara-director-general-of-arab-parliamentary-center

https://offshoreleaks.icij.org/nodes/12136193



Syrian Social Nationalist Party


The Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) was founded by aLebanese writer, Antoun Saadé, in 1932. It first operatedunderground and became public with the launch of the Al Majallamonthly newspaper distributed at the American University of Beirutin 1933. Based on an anticolonial stance, the party played asignificant role in Lebanese politics, especially in the attemptedcoups d’états in 1949 and 1961. It was conceived as a secular,fascist-style party advocating for the creation of a “Greater Syria”that would include Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Cyprus andPalestine. The party has been a staunch supporter of the Assadregime in Syria.

The SSNP is currently represented by two Members of Parliament (Assaad Hardan and Salim Saadé) and athird affiliated MP (Albert Mansour). It has also held seats in most governments since 1990. Annahar's lateCEO Ghassan Tueni and Addiyar's owner Charles Ayoub were both former members of SSNP. The party alsoused to own "Sabah El-Kheir" weekly magazine, which was issued from 1979 to 1988.


100%



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//charles-ayoub/




Al-Binaa

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

McDonald, J. (2016). Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) and the War in

Syria. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Carnegie Middle-East Center. The Syrian Social Nationalist Party (al

Intifada). Accessed on 12 November 2018.

Moran, T. (2016). Could a ‘Nazi’ party soon rule Syria? Accessed on 22

November 2018.

Headlines



Sources

100% Print



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https://www.joshualandis.com/blog/syrian-social-nationalist-party-ssnp-war-syria/

http://carnegie-mec.org/diwan/48565?lang=en

https://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/could-a-nazi-party-soon-rule-syria/71156



Phalange PartyThe Lebanese Phalange (Kataeb) Party is a political partyestablished in 1936 by Christian Maronite politician PierreGemayel. Although it is a secular party according to its bylaws,support has mainly come from the Christian community. The Partyhad one of the largest parliamentary blocs from the 1950s to the1970s and it played a major role in the Lebanese Civil War, leadingthe Christian “National Front” coalition.

The Phalange Party established an armed group, the LebaneseForces, which later morphed into an autonomous political party.Pierre Gemayel’s son Bachir, also leader of the Lebanese Forces, was elected President of the Republic in 1982but was assassinated before his inauguration. He was succeeded by his brother Amine, who served until 1988in a war-torn country. The party was sidelined in the 1990s, as former President Amine Gemayel went into exilein France, and the leadership was assumed by pro-Syrian regime figures. After the withdrawal of the Syrianforces in 2005, leadership of the party went back to Amine Gemayel. In 2007, Amine’s son, then Minister ofIndustry Pierre Gemayel, was also assassinated north of Beirut. The current leader of the Phalange Party isAmine’s younger son, MP Samy Gemayel. The Phalange Party has three Members of Parliament: Samy, BachirGemayel’s son Nadim, and Elias Hankash.

The Phalange Party was the first to launch a private radio station, Voix du Liban, in 1958. It also owned anewspaper, Al-Aamal, which suspended its publication towards the end of the civil war. The party operates anews website www.kataeb.org



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http://www.kataeb.org/




Voix du Liban 100.3


Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

100%

100% Radio



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Further Information

Amine Gemayelformer President of the Republic (1982-1988)

Samy GemayelMember of Parliament (since 2009)

Nadim GemayelMember of Parliament (since 2009) and Chairman of the InformationTechnology Committee (since 2018)

Salim Sayeghformer Minister of Social Affairs (2009-2011), Vice-President of the PhalangeParty, CEO of Société Nouvelle d’Information Audiovisuelle SAL






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Tayyar.org

The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) was founded in 1994 byGeneral Michel Aoun, a former Commander of the Lebanese Armyin the 1980s and interim Prime Minister (1988-1990). General Aounat the time rejected the Taif agreement and was defeated onOctober 13, 1990 by the Syrian forces, and forced to leave Lebanon.His exile in France ended in 2005 when he returned to Lebanonfollowing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri andthe withdrawal of the Syrian Army. Since 2005, has become one ofthe largest parliamentary blocs and the most popular party in theChristian community. In 2006, FPM formed an alliance withHezbollah and moved closer to pro-Syrian regime stances after nearly 15 years of staunch opposition to theDamascus authorities. Michel Aoun was elected President of the Republic in October 2016 for a six-year term.His party is currently led by his son-in-law Gebran Bassil, who is also Lebanon’s Foreign Minister. FPM and itsallies won 29 seats in the 2018 parliamentary election, making it the first bloc in Parliament.

FPM controls a network of media outlets: Tayyar.org directly, OTV through Michel Aoun’s family and closeadvisors, and Sawt El-Mada through FPM MP Elias Bou Saab.

Media Outlets

Facts

100% Online



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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/elias-bou-saab/




Further Information

Centre for Safety and Development. Free Patriotic Movement. Accessed


Flags of the World (2013). Free Patriotic Movement (Lebanon). Accessed


company/channel informs proactively and comprehensivelyabout its ownership, data is constantly updated and easilyverifiable

Active Transparency

Sources



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https://www.centreforsafety.org/userfiles/File/customfiles/free-patriotic-movement-16-02-2017_20170216102410.pdf

https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/lb%7Dfpm.html



Lebanese StateLebanon is a unitary multiparty republic with a parliamentarysystem of government. Its constitution, promulgated in 1926 duringthe French mandate and modified by several subsequentamendments, provides for a unicameral Chamber of Deputieselected (for a term of four years as per the electoral law) byuniversal suffrage of citizens aged 21 and above.

The political system in Lebanon is referred to as a consociationaldemocracy, in which political representation is based on citizens‘sectarian identity. The National Pact of 1943 established anunwritten power-sharing formula between Christians and Muslims. However, Lebanon remained vulnerable toboth international crises and local inequalities. The Arab-Israeli conflicts led to the displacement of hundreds ofthousands of Palestinian refugees to Lebanon, including armed militant groups. And the centralized poweramong a handful of political families created growing disparities among regions. These were two of the manyfactors that contributed to the eruption of a civil war on April 14, 1975, which did not end until October 13,1990. The war saw a weakening of state institutions, the emergence of a myriad of sectarian militias, theinvasion of Lebanese regions by the Syrian Army (in 1976) and the Israeli Army (in 1978). The peace agreementreached in the Saudi city of Taif in 1989 essentially secured a return to the concept of power-sharing on asectarian basis, in which parliamentary seats are apportioned equally between Christian and Muslim sects,thereby replacing an earlier ratio that had favored Christians. This sectarian distribution is also to be observedin appointments to public office.

The head of state is the president, who is elected by the Parliament for a term of six years. By an unwrittenconvention the president must be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, and the Speaker ofParliament a Shia Muslim. The president, in consultation with the Members of Parliament appoints the PrimeMinister, with whom he forms the Council of Ministers. The latter, which holds the executive power, requires avote of confidence from the Parliament.

The development of post-war Lebanon remained closely linked to its neighbors, Israel and Syria. Israelmaintained military occupation in southern Lebanon, where it engaged in a war of attrition with Hezbollah untilthe Israeli troops withdrew in 2000. But hostility between Israel and Hezbollah, which maintained its armedcapacities, flared in July 2006, during a 34-day war.

Meanwhile, Syria continued to exercise an extensive influence in Lebanon, asserted by the presence of morethan 30,000 soldiers on Lebanese territory. Its intelligence apparatus intervened in political life to install apolitical class loyal to the regime in Damascus. During this period, a massive reconstruction process waslaunched, under the leadership of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. However, this process was marred withcorruption and imbalanced budgets, and growing public debt. Tensions regarding the Syrian hegemony inLebanon and realignment of political forces that were previously supporting the Syrian presence towards theanti-Syrian opposition parties culminated after the assassination on February 14, 2005, of Prime Minister Rafik



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Télé Liban SAL

Hariri, between the anti-Syrian, pro-West March 14 alliance, and the Hezbollah-led, pro-Syrian March 8 alliance.Although this division grew further with then eruption of the Syrian conflict, Lebanese political partiesremained committed to the idea of forming national unity coalition governments gathering all partiesrepresented in Parliament. While this cemented the stability, it made the decision-making process slower,leading to long periods of presidential (November 2007-May 2008; May 2014-October 2016) and governmentvacuum (December 2010-June 2011; March 2013-February 2014; and since June 2018).

The Lebanese government has historically favored a pro-market laissez-faire economic policy, maintainingminimal ownership of companies. In the media sector, the Lebanese State owns Télé Liban, Radio Liban, andthe National News Agency.


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Radio Liban Télé Liban

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information



100% Radio 99.9% TV



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The Lebanese Communist Party (LCP) was formed in 1924 and isone of the oldest multi-sectarian parties in Lebanon. The party hasnever been represented in the Lebanese Parliament but played aprominent role during the first years of the Lebanese civil war.

The Lebanese Communist Party (LCP) was behind the establishmentof New TV (Al-Jadeed) in the early 1990s until it first closed in 1997.Some prominent LCP members still own shares of Al-Jadeed. TheLCP also owned Al-Akhbar newspaper's license, as well as licensesfor two currently suspended magazines, the weekly Al-Nidaa, andthe monthly Al-Tareeq. Through some of its members who established Al-Sharika Al-Alamiya lil Bath (Shaab), itowns the license for Sawt El Shaab radio station.




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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-akhbar-2/






Sawt El Shaab

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

U.S. Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. Lebanese

Communist Party. Accessed on 9 November 2018.



Sources

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http://countrystudies.us/lebanon/97.htm



Elias Bou Saab

Al Mada Group SARL

Elias Bou Saab has been the Advisor to the President of LebanonMichel Aoun on International Cooperation since March 2017. Hewas the Minister of Education and Higher Education in theGovernment of Lebanon from February 2014 to December 2016,and the President of the municipality of Dhour El Choueir in theMetn region of Mount Lebanon from June 2010 to December 2012.

Elias Bou Saab is the founder and Executive Vice President of theAmerican University in Dubai, a title he has held since theUniversity’s inception in 1995. A shareholder in AlMada.org newswebsite, Fame FM and Sawt El Mada radio stations, he is also a member of the founding board of directors oftelevision station OTV.


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https://www.almada.org/






Sawt El Mada

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Fame FM

Sawt El Mada

AlMada.org news website


Publication

Joulia Boutroswife and singer

Ziad Boutrosbrother-in-law, music composer, and owner of music recording studios


99% Radio



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Further Information

The Daily Star. News. Elias Bou Saab. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Wikipedia. Elias Bou Saab. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

American University in Dubai. Faculty and Staff. Accessed on 7 November

2018.

Bloomberg. Elias Bou Saab. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Headlines



Sources



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http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Entity/People/2375922956/Elias-Bou-Saab.ashx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Bou_Saab

http://www.aud.edu/faculty_staff/en/page/1165/eliasbousaab




Hamdan Family


Three members of the Hamdan family own an equal number ofshares in NBN: Hassan Hamdan, Ali Seifeddine Hamdan (mediaadvisor to Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri), and Khalil AhmadHamdan (member of the Presidential Committee of AmalMovement – also led by Nabih Berri). All three are linked to the AmalMovement.


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NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

National News Agency (2018). الوطنية الوحدة لتعزيز: حمدان خليل . Accessed on 19

November 2018.



Sources

29.8% TV



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http://nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/show-news/353583/nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/



Frem Family


Neemat Frem is a Lebanese businessman. He was elected to theLebanese Parliament in 2018 as an ally of the Free PatrioticMovement. He is a former president of the Association of LebaneseIndustrialists, Chief Executive of the multinational companyINDEVCO Group, and founder and president of Phoenix Machinery.He is also the current President of the Maronite Foundation in theWorld and is the Chairman of the Board of Mediapak, an advertisingagency based in Lebanon.

His brother, Faysal Frem, is the general manager of UNIPAK, whichspecializes in board packaging. UNIPAK is also a member of INDEVCO group. His name features in the PanamaPapers as being a beneficiary of Mediapak, the advertising company led by his brother, Neemat Frem. FaysalFrem is also an elected member of the Jounieh municipality.

Karim Frem is the managing director of SANITA SAL which is also part of INDEVCO, led by Neemat Frem.


15% 30%



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Télé Lumière and Noursat

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

Wikipedia. Neemat Frem. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Kompass Profile Unipak. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Mediapak’s Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Kompass Profile Mediapak. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

ICIJ. Offshore Leaks Fayssal Frem. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Indevco Paper Container’s Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Sanitalb’s Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Sources

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neemat_Frem

https://lb.kompass.com/c/unipak-sal/lb000735/

http://www.mediapaklb.com/

https://lb.kompass.com/c/mediapak-sal/lb013111/


https://www.indevcopapercontainers.com/our-companies/

http://www.sanitalb.com/



Abdallah ZakhemAbdallah Zakhem is the cofounder of Zakhem InternationalConstruction Group and its president since 1982. Prior to that, hewas Managing Director of Zakhem International ConstructionGroup, Kenya from 1970-1982. He managed and directed allinternational engineering projects by the company, covering allaspects of operations. Other countries of Group activities under hisdirect supervision included Italy and the Arabian Gulf.

Between 1965 and 1969, he was appointed Area Manager ofZakhem Engineers SAL in Iraq, where he was responsible for allprojects in the Arabian Gulf.

Before joining Zakhem Group, Abdallah worked as Site Agent with TALIHAP Joint Venture, in West Pakistan from1962 to 1964. He was responsible for executing different housing schemes for WAPDA.

In addition to his diversified roles with the Zakhem Group, Abdallah Zakhem has held several leadershippositions throughout his career, including:

Zakhem ran for parliament in 2018 in the Koura district (north Lebanon) in coalition with the MaradaMovement (Sleiman Frangieh) and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party but was not elected.

Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Allied Business Bank in LebanonPresident of Association of Banks in Lebanon (1988-1989)Former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Riviera Hotel in BeirutMember of the Board of Directors of the Arab American Chamber of CommerceElected President of the Cultural League in Eastern AfricaHonorary Consul of Lebanon in Nairobi, Kenya since 1978Elected Chairman of the Interim Committee of the Lebanese Nigerian Friendship Association in February2013



597 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//syrian-social-nationalist-party/



Al Jadeed SAL

Al-Jadeed


Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Zakhem GroupEngineering

6.6%

6.7% TV



598 / 1471






Further Information

Zakhem GroupConstruction

Zakhem Group’s Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Sources



599 / 1471

http://zakhem.com/



Nizar Younes

Al Jadeed SAL

Nizar Younes is the Founder and Chairman of BUTEC Corporationwhich was founded in 1966 and has become one of the leadingconstruction companies in Lebanon and the Middle East with officesin Algeria, France, Germany, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

Prior to this leadership position, Dr. Younes was Senior Partner andManaging Director at BUTEC; he was member of the HighCommission at the Ministry of Planning; he also was an economicand engineering consultant and taught at Saint Joseph Universityand the Lebanese University on the business and engineeringfaculties.

He ran for parliament in 2000 but was not elected, and has published several political books. His brother Fayekalso ran, unsuccessfully, for parliament in 2005 alongside Free Patriotic Movement leader and ForeignMinister Gebran Bassil.




600 / 1471





Al-Jadeed

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

(29) الدوحة إلى اآلستانة من النيابية اإلنتخابات تاريخ . Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Butec’s Website. Accessed on 7 November 2018.



Sources

6.7% TV



601 / 1471


https://elmarada.org/374153/29-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A2%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7.html

http://www.butec.com.lb/company/



Ali Al Amine

Janoubia

Ali Al-Amine is a Lebanese journalist who served as editor-in-chiefof Al-Balad daily. He also founded the Janoubia association, whichstarted publishing a weekly magazine and later on, a news websitein 2011. Ali Al-Amine ran for the Shiite seat in Bint Jbeil during the2018 parliamentary elections but he did not win. Al-Amine wasvictim of several targeted attacks for being a vocal critic ofHezbollah, the latest being beaten up while hanging his ownpictures on a wall during the election campaign.

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

upon request, ownership data is easily available from thecompany/channel

Passive Transparency

100% Online



602 / 1471






William Mjalli


William Mjalli is a retired General of the Lebanese Army. He hasserved as Director General of the Issam Fares Foundation since1994. The Foundation is a major donor to education anddevelopment activities in North Lebanon. He has been representingformer Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares in a number ofpolitical and social events.




603 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//issam-fares/




NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Further Information

Fares FoundationCharity

Issam FaresAffiliated Interests FamilyMembers Friends



9.9% TV



604 / 1471





Issam Fares' Website(2009). Inauguration de l’Oasis Issam Fares pour le

Développement & l’Héritage au Parc Patriarcal Maronite au Diman.


Sources



605 / 1471

http://www.issam-fares.org/ar/NewsDetails.aspx?pageid=5525



Hani Hammoud


Hani Hammoud is a journalist and editor-in-chief of the Lebanesedaily newspaper Al-Mustaqbal. He is the current chairman of FutureTV and was the principal media advisor to former Prime MinisterRafik Hariri and is currently the political and media advisor to PrimeMinister Saad Hariri. He is married to Karma Ekmekji, who is theforeign affairs advisor to the Prime Minister.


10%



606 / 1471









Future TV

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

Lebanon Tribunal (2015). Political witness Hani Hammoud testifies.




Sources

10% TV



607 / 1471


http://lebanontribunal.blogspot.com/2015/06/hani-hammoud-another-political-witness.html



Ahmad Hussein


NBN

No information could be found on this shareholder.


Media Outlets

10% TV



608 / 1471





Kassem Soueid


Kassem Soueid is a journalist who joined NBN since itsestablishment in 1997. He has been the CEO of NBN since 2007. Heis a member of the Amal Movement led by Speaker of ParliamentNabih Berri. After working at the Ministry of Information from 1991to 1993, he joined Future TV from 1993 to 1997 before becomingNBN’s News Director in 1997 until he became CEO in 2007.


10%



609 / 1471


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//berri-family/





NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

Khiyam (2007). ال موضوع يعطى أال نتمنى: سويد قاسم NBN حجمه من أكثر . Accessed on 22

November 2018.



Sources

10% TV



610 / 1471





Moustafa El Husseini

Akhbar Beirut SAL

Moustafa El Husseini is a Lebanese politician and businessman,with special interests in the agriculture and media sectors. He wasinvolved in public life first alongside his father, former MP Ali ElHusseini, then his brother, former Speaker of Parliament Hussein ElHusseini. He ran for Parliament for the Shia seat in the Jbeil districtin 2000, 2005 and 2009, and was elected for the first time in 2018.

He co-owns with his son Firas and daughter Dima Sun Press SAL, ashareholder of Akhbar Beirut SAL.


18.8%



611 / 1471





Al-Akhbar

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information

Hussein El HusseiniFormer Speaker of Parliament (1984-1992)




18.8% Print



612 / 1471





Ibrahim Al Amine

Akhbar Beirut SAL

Ibrahim Al Amine is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Al-Akhbarnewspaper. A staunch supporter of Hezbollah, he is known for hisfiery op-eds, fiercely opposing the March 14 coalition. He was triedbefore the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for contempt andobstruction of justice in 2016 and was fined by the Tribunal afterbeing found guilty. He also was a jury member on a political realityTV show on Al-Jadeed aimed at identifying new young leaders inLebanese politics. He owns 36.4% of Akhbar Beirut SAL directlyand 7.4% through his ownership of 59.7% of Akhbar Beirut Holding.


43.8%



613 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company//akhbar-beirut-sal/





Al-Akhbar

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

TO BE ADDED



Sources

43.8% Print



614 / 1471













615 / 1471




Al Jadeed SAL

Al-Jadeed


Media Outlets

Facts

Business


6.6%

6.7% TV



616 / 1471






Further Information





Sources



617 / 1471

http://zakhem.com/



Ahmad Hussein


NBN



Media Outlets

10% TV



618 / 1471





Al Waleed Bin TalalA member of the Saudi royal family, Prince Al Walid Bin Talal is thecousin of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. AlWalid Bin Talal is considered to be one of the most influentialpeople in the world. A well-known businessman qualified as the“Arabian Warren Buffett” by Time Magazine, he is the founder, CEOand main owner of the Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), based inSaudi Arabia. KHC is one of the world’s premier internationalinvestment companies with holdings in some of the world’s best-known companies and brands including Twitter, Time Warner,Samba, Citigroup, Pepsi, Walt Disney and Four Seasons.Furthermore, KHC is involved in the media (the satellite Cairo-based LBC channel, after being involved in theLebanon-based LBCI, as well as the Rotana entertainment channels and production houses), airlines (Flynas)and construction.

Walid Bin Talal also holds the Lebanese nationality, as the grandson of the first Prime Minister of independentLebanon Riyad Solh. Kingdom Holding is represented in Lebanon by Al-Waleed Bin Talal's mother, cousin andaunt, former Minister of Industry (2004 and 2005) Leila Solh. She is also the President of Al-Waleed Bin Talal'sHumanitarian Foundation, Alwaleed Philanthropies charity, one of the main donor for several health andeducation institutions across Lebanon. The Lebanese branch of Kingdom Holding is also represented in theBoard of Administrators of Annahar newspaper.

As of early 2015, it was estimated that his net worth was around 22.8 billion US$. In 2017, as Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salman turned Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel into a five-star jail for some of the nation’s mostprominent citizens in what he called an anti-corruption sweep, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal was detained there formore than two months and was released in January 2018.



619 / 1471


https://www.alwaleedphilanthropies.org/who-we-are



https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/a-year-after-the-ritz-carlton-roundup-saudi-elites-remain-jailed-by-the-crown-prince/2018/11/05/32077a5c-e066-11e8-b759-3d88a5ce9e19_story.html?utm_term=.ec2e6276bbb7




Al-Nahda SAL

Addiyar


Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Kingdom HoldingInvestment

1.4%

1.4% Print



620 / 1471






Family & Friends

Further Information

Leila Al Solhleader of Bin Talal's charity in Lebanon and former Lebanese Minister ofIndustry.


AFP (2016). Saudi prince calls for end to country’s 'unjust' ban on women

driving. Accessed 15 November 2018.

Alwaleed Philanthropies. Leila Al Sohl. Accessed November 2018.

Arabian Business. The World’s 100 most powerful Arab women. Accessed

15 November 2018.

Crunchbase. Kingdom Holding Company Profile. Accessed on 8 November

2018.

Washington Post (2018). A year after the Ritz-Carlton roundup, Saudi elites

remain jailed by the crown prince. Accessed on 8 November 2018.

Headlines



Sources



621 / 1471

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/30/saudi-prince-calls-for-end-unjust-ban-on-women-driving


https://www.arabianbusiness.com/the-world-s-100-most-powerful-arab-women-541034.html?itemid=540870

https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/kingdom-holding-company




Ali Al Amine

Janoubia


Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information



100% Online



622 / 1471






Ali Ghandour

Annahar SAL

Ali Ghandour is a Lebanese-Jordanian double national. He grew upin Lebanon where he studied and graduated from the AmericanUniversity of Beirut. After continuing his studies in the United States,he returned to Lebanon in 1954 where he joined the Lebanese CivilAviation Authority as an engineer. He joined the Syrian SocialNationalist Party (SSNP) and became a fugitive from Lebanon toKuwait after the SSNP attempted a coup in 1961. A death sentencewas issued against him in absentia in Lebanon that led him to takerefuge in Jordan, where he founded a new Jordanian national airline.He was pardoned in 1968.

Gandour has business interests in several sectors, including airlines (through Arab Wings, Royal Jordanian, JetAirways, and Nas Air) and courier services (through Aramex). He is also a philanthropist, involved in educationand culture, through his support to the American University of Beirut, the Arab Thought Forum, and Jordan'sRoyal Society for Fine Arts and the Royal Endowment for Culture and Education.


1.7%



623 / 1471







Annahar

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

Arab Wings

Royal Jordanian Airline

Jet Airways

Nas Air

Aramex

Aviation

Logistics



1.7% Print



624 / 1471





Asharq Al-Awsat. األردنية الملكية الجوية للخطوط رئيس إلى باإلعدام محكوم من . Accessed 15

November 2018.

Sources



625 / 1471

http://archive.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=53&article=138010&issueno=8763#.XAasFBMzZ24











626 / 1471













627 / 1471





628 / 1471





OTV


Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

50%

50% TV



629 / 1471






Further Information

















Sources



630 / 1471







November 2018.




631 / 1471





Arz El Murr FamilyArz El Murr is a businessman specialized in the digital field. Inaddition to El-Nashra group, which includes the news website butalso websites dedicated to arts and sports, he owns El-Barid, whichprovides digital and banking services for the financial sector.

He is the nephew of current MP and former Deputy Prime MinisterMichel Elias Murr (owner of Al-Joumhouria newspaper) and offormer MP Gabriel Murr (whose family owns MTV and a number ofentertainment radio stations). Arz El-Murr's family own a number ofweb-based platforms: Elnashra for political news, Elfann forentertainment, Elsport for sports, Elmazad for online auctions, and Elbarid, which operates several online andSMS banking services.



632 / 1471


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-joumhouria/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/gabriel-murr-family/


https://www.elfann.com/

https://www.elsport.com/

https://elmazad.com/

http://elbarid.com/





633 / 1471




ElNashra.com SARL

El-Nashra


Media Outlets

Facts

Business

ElfannOnline Publications

100%

100% Online



634 / 1471





Family & Friends

Further Information

Elsport

Elmazad

ElbaridFinancial Service Provider

Magda El MurrArz El Murr's wife and shareholder of ElNashra SARL (25%)

Aya El MurrArz El Murr's daughter and shareholder of ElNashra SARL (25%)

Malek El MurrArz El Murr's son and shareholder of ElNashra SARL (25%)


Elbarid. Who We Are. Accessed 22 November 2018.

El Nashra Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Sources



635 / 1471

http://elbarid.com/




Awni El Kaaki

El Shark

Awni El Kaaki is a Lebanese journalist who has been president ofthe Lebanese Press Syndicate since 2015. El Kaaki ran against a listled by Salah Salam, the editor-in-chief of Al-Liwaa newspaper.

He is the General Manager of Dar Al Sharq and editor of the ElShark newspaper and Nadine magazine. Nadine Magazine hasrepeatedly faced complaints and law suits.

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Nadine MagazinePublishing

Print



636 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//salam-family/








Further Information

Lebanese Press Syndicate

The Daily Star (2015). Aouni al-Kaaki list wins Lebanon Press Federation

vote. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Albabwa (2004). نادين ''مجلة ضد تميم سوزان شكوى في النظر تؤجل المحكمة ''. Accessed on

22 November 2018.

National News Agency. عالمة راغب دعوى في نادين مجلة في صحافيين بتغريم للمطبوعات حكم .




Sources



637 / 1471

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2015/Jan-12/283822-aouni-al-kaaki-elected-head-of-lebanon-press-federation.ashx

https://www.albawaba.com/ar/%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%87/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%A4%D8%AC%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%88%D9%89-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8

http://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/show-news/122018/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D8%BA%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A



Berri Family







19.1%



638 / 1471





NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends


Shazam

Muzeit

Numbase

Numcall

Nomtome

Daily Millionaire

Real Estate

Technology

Lottery

19.7% TV



639 / 1471




Further Information










22 November 2018.


November 2018.


2018.


22 November 2018.




Sources



640 / 1471













November 2018.


on 7 November 2018.






641 / 1471








Charles Ayoub

Al-Nahda SAL

A Lebanese journalist, Charles Ayoub is known for his pro-Syrianstance. On June 24, 2013, Charles Ayoub wrote an op-ed requestingfinancial support to his newspaper from Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad amounting to 700,000 US dollars. He was a candidate for theparliamentary elections of 1972 and 2009. He was also brieflydetained in 2018 after Sarkis Sarkis, a candidate to the Parliament,filed a libel and bounced check lawsuit against him.


98.6%



642 / 1471







Addiyar

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information

Odette Ayoub and Antoine C Ayoub are Members of the Board of Al-NahdaSAL that owns Addiyar newspaper.


Naharnet (2018). Charles Ayoub Briefly Detained over Lawsuit Filed by

Sarkis Sarkis. Accessed on 15 November 2018.



Sources

98.6% Print



643 / 1471



http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/244802



Choueiri Family


The Choueiri family owns the Choueiri Group, the leading mediarepresentation group in the Middle East. Choueiri Group operates inten markets covering the MENA region, Europe and Japan, through anetwork of twelve subsidiaries, six representative offices and morethan 700 executives. Choueiri Group’s companies market andmanage the advertising space of more than 50 represented mediaoutlets. In Lebanon, Choueiri Group manages the advertising of thefollowing media outlets: LBCI, Annahar, L'Orient-Le Jour, LeCommerce du Levant, Noun, RLL, VDL 100.3 FM, Fame FM, Light FM,Mix FM, Radio One, and Virgin Radio.

The founder of the Group, the late Antoine Choueiri (1939-2010), was the president of one of the mostsuccessful basketball clubs in Lebanon, La Sagesse, and a close advisor and partner to LBCI Chairman PierreDaher, while remaining a loyal supporter of Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces political party. The Group is alsoinvolved in outdoor advertising and in large scale exhibition and fair organizing.

Pierre Choueiri, son of the founder Antoine Choueiri, is currently CEO and Chairman of the group. He hasbeen named 26th of the 100 most influential people in Dubai by Arabian Business.


22.6%



644 / 1471






https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//daher-saad-family/





L’Orient-Le Jour

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Arabian Media Company for Advertising and Publicity

Arabian Media Services International

Audio Visual Media

Centricom Communications

Interadio

Press Media

Times International

Arabian Outdoor

MEMS LLC

Media Representation

Advertisement

22.7% Print



645 / 1471





Further Information

Digital Media Services

Promofair

Digital Publishing

Eventmanagement

Arabian Business (2017). Pierre Choueiri. Accessed on 15 November 2018.

Choueiri Group Website. About Us. Accessed on 15 November 2018.



Sources



646 / 1471

https://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-100--most-influential-people-in-emirate-675669.html?itemid=675513

http://www.choueirigroup.com/choueiri-group.aspx



Daher-Saad Family






50.6%



647 / 1471




LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

PAC LTD

Vanilla Production

World Media Group

Monitor Holding

Media Production

Media




50.6% TV



648 / 1471




Further Information










Sources



649 / 1471




Eddé Family




38%



650 / 1471






L’Orient-Le Jour

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

MurexFinance





38% Print



651 / 1471





Further Information





2018.







Headlines



Sources



652 / 1471








Elias Bou Saab

Al Mada Group SARL




99%



653 / 1471








Sawt El Mada

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Fame FM

Sawt El Mada



Publication




99% Radio



654 / 1471




Further Information




2018.


Headlines



Sources



655 / 1471








Tayyar.org



Media Outlets

Facts

100% Online



656 / 1471












Further Information






Active Transparency

Sources



657 / 1471





Frem Family






15% 30%



658 / 1471






Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information










Sources

27.5% TV



659 / 1471




















660 / 1471








661 / 1471




MTV SAL

MTV


Media Outlets

Facts

Business

TV



662 / 1471







Family & Friends

Further Information

One TV

NRJ

Nostalgie

Jabal Lebnan

Aghani Aghani

Studiovision





Media Production

Event Management

Retail

Real Estate








663 / 1471









Sources



664 / 1471







Gebran Tohmé

Télé-Lumière SAL

Gebran Tohmé is the President of the Kornet el-Hamra municipalityin the Metn district. His family created GT Group International,specialized in home appliances and electronics.


8.2%



665 / 1471





Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

GTGI Group’s Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Sources

1.4% TV



666 / 1471



http://www.gtgi.com.lb/



Ghaleb Chammaa


Ghaleb Chammaa is a very close friend and business associate offormer Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. In 1990, Chammaa becameinvolved in setting up the group that provided charity work onbehalf of Hariri. Members of the Chammaa family also own minorshares in Wave Holding SAL, which owns Radio Orient.


10%



667 / 1471







Future TV

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

Lebanon Tribunal (2015). Evidence by a close friend of Hariri: Mr Ghaleb

El-Chammaa. Accessed on 7 November 2018.



Sources

10% TV



668 / 1471


http://lebanontribunal.blogspot.com/2015/04/evidence-by-close-friend-of-hariri-mr.html



Habib Lahoud


Habib Lahoud is a senior manager and the head of the retailbanking division at IBL Bank. He is also a founding member of“Article 26” a charity organization in Lebanon.


13.4%



669 / 1471




Voix du Liban 93.3

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

IBL BankBanking

About IBL. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

LinkedIn Profile Habib Lahoud. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Lebanese University (2012). 26البند: «بإسم جمعية تأسيس »{Article 26} -الزلقا: مركزها

المتن قضاء Accessed on 7 November 2018.



Sources

13.4% Radio



670 / 1471



https://www.ibl.com.lb/english/about-ibl/management

https://www.linkedin.com/in/habib-lahoud-94ab0087/?originalSubdomain=lb

http://www.legallaw.ul.edu.lb/LawArticles.aspx?LawArticleID=924140&LawId=231315



Hamdan Family




29.8%



671 / 1471







NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information


November 2018.



Sources

29.8% TV



672 / 1471





Hani Hammoud




10%



673 / 1471









Future TV

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information





Sources

10% TV



674 / 1471














675 / 1471







676 / 1471














99.4% 59.1% 39.6%

98% 100%



677 / 1471













Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Saudi Oger


Horizon Group


99.4% Radio 59.1% TV 39.6% Print




678 / 1471













Oger Telecom

Vero


Omnia Holdings


GroupMed

Bank Audi

BankMed

Arab Bank PLC

Med Gulf

Red Sea Ventures


Wave Holding

D.S. Holding



Radio Orient SAL


Annahar SAL

Telecommunications

Digital Media

Logistics

Chemicals

Banking

Insurance

Investment

Publishing



679 / 1471



Family & Friends

Further Information


The Daily Star SAL










Headlines



680 / 1471











November 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



681 / 1471








Hassan Beydoun

Bint Jbeil

Hassan Beydoun is the owner and director of BintJbeil.org, whichhe launched in 2003. Beydoun has wide connections with theLebanese diaspora that has their roots in South Lebanon, mostnotably in Sydney, Australia and Dearborn, Michigan, USA, whichhas allowed him to rely on online advertising for the development ofthe website.

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information



100% Online



682 / 1471

http://bintjbeil.org/




BintJbeil (2017). األسترالية سيدني مدينة في جبيل بنت موقع مدير تكريم . Accessd on 22

November 2018.

BintJbeil (2018). بيضو حسن مؤسسه والتقى جبيل بنت موقع زار االسعد معن المحامي . Accessd


Sources



683 / 1471

http://m.bintjbeil.org/article/121755

https://bintjbeil.org/article/152727



Hezbollah






100%



684 / 1471








Al-Nour Al-Manar

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information




Data Unavailable

Sources

100% Radio 100% TV



685 / 1471








Ibrahim Al Amine

Akhbar Beirut SAL



43.8%



686 / 1471






Al-Akhbar

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

TO BE ADDED



Sources

43.8% Print



687 / 1471





Issam Fares






20%



688 / 1471





LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information







20% TV



689 / 1471










Sources



690 / 1471






Jamal Al Khatib


Voix du Liban 93.3



Media Outlets

13.4%

13.4% Radio



691 / 1471






Joseph Sarkis

MTV SAL

Joseph Sarkis is the founder and managing director of LintecLebanon and HEC Saudi Arabia, two leading hospitality suppliers inthe Levant and the Gulf Cooperation Council area. Sarkis is also aboard member at MTV Lebanon and Arab Finance Corporation.




692 / 1471





MTV

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

Lintec Lebanon

HEC Saudi Arabia

Hospitality

About AFC. Accessed on 7 November 2018.



Sources

TV



693 / 1471



https://www.afc.com.lb/DirectorsAndManagement.aspx



Kallassi Family


The Kallassi family owns 28.5% of Télé Lumière and Noursat. Thefamily revolves around Jacques (Yacoub) Kallassi, the co-founderand CEO of the station. He is the Chairman of Kallassi Group(GroupKa) - a group specializing in consumer goods, distribution,restaurants, food production, export and real estate. One of hisbrothers, Bechara Al Kallassi is the chairman of King Food S.A.L.,part of the Kallassi Group owning the Burger King franchise inLebanon. Another brother, Paul Kallassi is the General Manager ofKallassi Trading Corporation (KTC), owning several food productsbrands in Lebanon. Jean Kallassi, Jacques’ third brother, is a boardmember of GroupKa.


33%



694 / 1471







Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Kallassi Group

Consumer goods I El Kallassi Trading Corporation

Food production I Arla Kallassi Foods SAL

Food production I Danika

Food production I Sheepka

Food distribution I King Food SAL

Export I Interka

Logistics and maintenance I Servika

Distribution of consumer products I Hakim Dowek & Sons

Investment

28.5% TV



695 / 1471





Family & Friends

Further Information

Bechara Al Kallassibrother of Jacques, owns the Burger King franchise in Lebanon.

Paul Kallassibrother of Jacques and owns several food product brands.

Jean Kallassibrother of Jacques and board member of the Kallassi Group.


Meloy, D. (2015). In Southfield, Chaldean leaders sound call to save Middle

East. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Kallassi Website. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Kallassi Trading. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Naharnet (2012). King Food S.A.L. Wins Prestigious International Award.


Headlines



Sources



696 / 1471

http://www.themichigancatholic.org/2015/07/in-southfield-chaldean-leaders-sound-call-to-save-middle-east/

http://www.kallassi.com/english/our-group/the-groups-structure

https://lb.kompass.com/c/kallassi-trading-corporation-sal/lb000969/




Kassem Soueid




10%



697 / 1471







NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information


November 2018.



Sources

10% TV



698 / 1471





Khayat Family

Al Jadeed SAL






58.1%



699 / 1471






Al-Jadeed

Media Outlets

Facts

Business


Middle East Power

SportsVille



Garnet Publishing

Geoprojects Limited

Garnet Education

All Prints

Engineering

Hospitality

Publishing

58.1% TV



700 / 1471




Family & Friends

Further Information

International Press











November.


on 23 November.





Sources



701 / 1471










Khazen Family





35.1%



702 / 1471










Voix du Liban 93.3

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information








Meta Data

35.1% Radio



703 / 1471












Sources



704 / 1471














705 / 1471









Sawt El Shaab

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information





Sources

100% Radio



706 / 1471






Lebanese Forces







707 / 1471













Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends


Sports-Leb.com

7asriyan.com


Publishing







708 / 1471







Further Information


2018.


November 2018.





Sources



709 / 1471













710 / 1471







Télé Liban SAL




99.9%



711 / 1471







Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information



100% Radio 99.9% TV



712 / 1471





Maroun Jazzar


Maroun (known as Rony) Jazzar is – since 2005 – the Chairmanand General Manager of Imagic International SAL. Imagic is aproduction house specialized in entertainment shows such as ArabsGot Talent and the X Factor, aired on LBCI along with other showsfor Dubai TV and MBC. Jazzar is a shareholder at LBCI since 1992.

Before founding Imagic in 2005, Jazzar was an advertising andmarketing executive. He was CEO of Lebanese media salescompany, AVM, from 1988 until AVM’s acquisition by the ChoueiriGroup and was twice elected President of the Lebanese section ofthe International Advertising Association.


4.4%



713 / 1471






LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

LMagic Facebook Page. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

About imagicTV. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

LinkedIn Rony Jazzar. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Izen TV. Rony Jazzar. Accessed on 7 November 2018.



Sources

4.4% TV



714 / 1471


https://www.facebook.com/Imagic-219687831425796/

http://www.imagic.tv/home

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rony-jazzar-563b2128

http://www.izen.tv/person/3838/rony-jazzar



Marwan Kalo

Al Jadeed SAL

Marwan Kalo is the chairman of Kalo Holding a well-establishedAmerican and International Group of Companies with a wide-ranging diversified portfolio of experience spanning over 50 years inIndustrial and Property Development, Construction, Water, PowerGeneration and Investment projects in USA, Europe, India, MiddleEast and Central Asia. Kalo Holdings has a partnership with T.S.Khayat group.




715 / 1471





Al-Jadeed

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

Kalo Holdings’ Website. Accessed on 7 November 2018.



Sources

6.7% TV



716 / 1471


http://www.kaloholdings.net/int_operations.html








717 / 1471









99%



718 / 1471





Al Joumhouria

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Group Murr



Al Joumhouria Women

Al Joumhouria Cars

Group Murr Aviation


Media

Aviation

99% Print



719 / 1471





Further Information











Sources



720 / 1471





Michel Kanbour

Lebanon Debate

Lebanese journalist Michel Kanbour is the founder, the publisherand general manager of Lebanon Debate. Kanbour is also themanaging partner of Innovative Technology – ITEC, a webdevelopment and graphic design company with a portfolioexceeding 600 companies.

In 2018 Mount Lebanon's Court of Publications sentenced Kanbourto six months in jail and fined him $7,000 in the defamation lawsuitfiled against him by the Customs Department Director-General,Badri Daher.

Kanbour holds a BA in Computer Science from the American University of Science and Technology.

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

100% Online



721 / 1471




Further Information

Innovative Technology ITECDigital Service Provider


Lebanon Kompass. Innovative Technology SARL. Accessed 22 November

2018.



Sources



722 / 1471


https://lb.kompass.com/c/innovative-technology-sarl/lb008410/









723 / 1471







99.9%



724 / 1471






Lebanon 24 LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

M1 Capital

M1 Capital

Areeba

M1 Limited (MTN)

M1 Real Estate

Investcom

M1 Commercial Jets

M1 Travel (Baboo)


Investment

Financial Services

Telecommunications

Real Estate

Construction

Aviation

Consumer Goods

99.9% Online 4% TV



725 / 1471





Family & Friends

Further Information





Consumer goods

Energy










Sources



726 / 1471





Akhbar Beirut SAL




18.8%



727 / 1471





Al-Akhbar

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information





18.8% Print



728 / 1471





Nassar Family


Albert Nassar’s family also include his three children Bassam,Roula, and Sana. They are the main shareholders in Télé Lumièreand Noursat. Albert Nassar also has a charity foundation in hisname that provides education and health support to children withdisability.


10% 15%



729 / 1471








Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

Albert Nassar’s Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Sources

29.2% TV



730 / 1471



http://www.anassar.org/



Nizar Younes

Al Jadeed SAL







731 / 1471





Al-Jadeed

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information





Sources

6.7% TV



732 / 1471











733 / 1471







Voix du Liban 100.3


Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

100%

100% Radio



734 / 1471





Further Information










735 / 1471



Pharaon Family






15.4%



736 / 1471




L’Orient-Le Jour

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Pharaon Holding SAL



MedNet


Téléjour Holding

Investment

Insurance

Healthcare

Media


15.5% Print



737 / 1471





Further Information





2018.




Sources



738 / 1471





Rabih Haber


Rabih Haber is a Lebanese pollster, founder and Managing Directorof Statistics Lebanon Ltd., a company specialized in opinion pollingand research since 1994, and he is also founder of Lebanonfiles.comin 2006. In 2013 he founded “Polethics” a company specialized inpolitical communication and electoral campaigns. Rabih Haber holdsa Master’s degree in Statistics, a DEA in Political Science and PublicAdministration and a Diploma in Air Navigation. He has beenlecturing at several universities since 1999.


98%



739 / 1471





Lebanon Files

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

Statistics Lebanon

Polethics

Research

Communications

Lebanon Files

Statistics Lebanon

Lebanese American University (2013). Speakers: Rabih Haber. Accessed 22

November 2018.



Sources

98% Online



740 / 1471




https://www.statisticslebanonltd.com/

http://ldf.lau.edu.lb/en/instructors/rabih-haber-al.php



Safa Al Khoury

Al Jadeed SAL

Al-Jadeed

Safa Al-Khoury is a managing director at Garnet Publishing (publishing house) and Geoprojects Limited(cartographic publisher) along with Nadia and Karim Khayat. Both of the companies are based in the UK andbelong to the Tahseen Khayat Group.


Media Outlets

10%

10% TV



741 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//khayat-family/






Facts

Business

Further Information

Garnet Publishing

Geoprojects Limited

Publishing

Janoubia (2016). سمسم يا افتح»: بنما وثائق «في لبنانيون . Accessed on 23 November.

About Garnet. Accessed on 23 November.

Bloomberg Profile Geoprojects. Accessed on 23 November.



Sources



742 / 1471

http://janoubia.com/2016/04/21/%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%82-%D8%A8%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD-%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%85/

http://www.garnetpublishing.co.uk/index.php/about-us/

https://www.bloomberg.com/profiles/companies/2783198Z:LN-geoprojects-uk-ltd



Salah Osseiran


Since 1995, Salah Osseiran has been the Chairman and ChiefExecutive Officer of BPC Holding Group, a portfolio of group ofcompanies that operate mainly in the Middle East, and in someAfrican countries. BPC Holding is involved in distribution and import,finance and banking (through First National Bank in Lebanon andBPC Qatar), manufacturing, media (through LBCI and Sawt al-GhadFM, real estate, retail (through Monoprix and BHV). A businessman,he started his career in the late 1970s in Saudi Arabia where heworked as an advisor for European, Japanese and Americancompanies. He first invested 2 million US$ in 1988 in the CTI Group –a global provider of software listed in the Nasdaq. Osseiran also owns and runs PBC sister company, FairfordHoldings, involved in similar sectors.




743 / 1471





LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

BPC Holding Group

Fairfold Holdings

CTI Group

Sawt al-Ghad FM

Investment

Software


Shake 'n Bake. The business year (2014). Accessed on 10 November 2018.Headlines



4% TV



744 / 1471


https://www.thebusinessyear.com/lebanon-2014/shake-n-bake/b2b



Information about the BPC Holding Group was retrieved from the company’sofficial website (http://www.bpcholding.com/Profile/).

Bloomberg. Company Overview of BPC Holding Group. Accessed on 10

November 2018.

Bontems, N. (2006). Salah Osseiran: « Les pertes financières sont

secondaires ». Le Commerce du Levant. Accessed on 10 November 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



745 / 1471


https://www.lecommercedulevant.com/article/10699-salah-osseiran-les-pertes-financires-sont-secondaires



Salam Family




100%



746 / 1471




Al-Liwaa

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information



100% Print



747 / 1471




Simon Abou Fadel

Al Kalima Online

Simon Abou Fadel is a Lebanese journalist and politicalcommentator. He is a columnist at Addiyar newspaper and theowner and Editor-in-Chief of Al Kalima Online news website. Hegenerally supports the views of the March 14 alliance and is oftenclose to the positions of the Lebanese Forces.

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Joseph Abou Fadelbrother of Simon Abou Fadel, but opposes his political views


100% Online



748 / 1471

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/addiyar/






Further Information

LinkedIn Profile Simon Abou Fadel. Accessed 22 November 2018.



Sources



749 / 1471

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-abou-fadel-1ab64169/








100%



750 / 1471








Al-Binaa

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information






November 2018.

Headlines



Sources

100% Print



751 / 1471













752 / 1471






Annahar SAL

Annahar


Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

22.9%

23% Print



753 / 1471







Further Information







Sources



754 / 1471




William Mjalli






755 / 1471





NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Further Information





9.9% TV



756 / 1471








Sources



757 / 1471




Ya Sour Media and Social GroupYa Sour Group consists of two inseparable parts: the first one is themedia component that includes the Ya Sour website and the YaSour quarterly magazine, along with several specialized websites.The second part is the social and cultural aspect that includes the YaSour Cultural and Social Association, the Women and ChildrenAffairs Committee, the Photography Club and the Sports Section.

The media part:

The Ya Sour website was launched on November 1, 2005. It is asocial news website covering the city of Sour (Tyre). With time, YaSour expanded its range of interests and started covering newsin nearby areas, then other villages and towns in the south. YaSour has correspondents in several southern areas, as well ascorrespondents abroad who cover the news of southerncommunities around the world. We rely on news agencies tocover Lebanese local news in places where we do not havecorrespondents. Ya Sour has a license to issue a periodical calledYa Sour, which is distributed free of charge on a quarterly basis.In 2014, the Photography Club website was launched; itincludes a significant photo archive of Sour and the region.The Ya Sour Group also has a radio station broadcasting on 89.7FM and covering Sour and the region. As for the 90.7 FMbroadcast band, it covers the south, Western Bekaa, Iqlim AlKharroub and the coast all the way to Saadiyat. It also broadcastsall over the world thanks to its special online application.



758 / 1471



Ya Sour

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

Ya Sour Quarterly Magazine

Ya Sour Radio

Publication

Radio Television & radiobroadcasting




Sources

100% Online



759 / 1471



http://www.yasour.org/2018/ar/about%20/



Youssef Wehbi

Akhbar Beirut SAL

Al-Akhbar

Youssef Wehbi owns a total of 34.8% of Akhbar Beirut SAL ; 29.9% directly and 5% through his ownership of40% of Akhbar Beirut Holding.


Media Outlets

34.8%

34.8% Print



760 / 1471







Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Missing Data

Missing DataAffiliated Interests FamilyMembers Friends



761 / 1471



Charles Ayoub

Al-Nahda SAL



98.6%



762 / 1471







Addiyar

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information







Sources

98.6% Print



763 / 1471






Arz El Murr FamilyArz El Murr is a businessman specialized in the digital field. Inaddition to El-Nashra group, which includes the news website butalso websites dedicated to arts and sports, he owns El-Barid, whichprovides digital and banking services for the financial sector.

He is the nephew of current MP and former Deputy Prime MinisterMichel Elias Murr (owner of Al-Joumhouria newspaper) and offormer MP Gabriel Murr (whose family owns MTV and a number ofentertainment radio stations). Arz El-Murr's family own a number ofweb-based platforms: Elnashra for political news, Elfann forentertainment, Elsport for sports, Elmazad for online auctions, and Elbarid, which operates several online andSMS banking services.



764 / 1471





https://www.elfann.com/

https://www.elsport.com/

https://elmazad.com/

http://elbarid.com/





765 / 1471




ElNashra.com SARL

El-Nashra


Media Outlets

Facts

Business

ElfannOnline Publications

100%

100% Online



766 / 1471





Family & Friends

Further Information

Elsport

Elmazad

ElbaridFinancial Service Provider

Magda El MurrArz El Murr's wife and shareholder of ElNashra SARL (25%)

Aya El MurrArz El Murr's daughter and shareholder of ElNashra SARL (25%)

Malek El MurrArz El Murr's son and shareholder of ElNashra SARL (25%)


Elbarid. Who We Are. Accessed 22 November 2018.

El Nashra Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Sources



767 / 1471

http://elbarid.com/




Kallassi Family


The Kallassi family owns 28.5% of Télé Lumière and Noursat. Thefamily revolves around Jacques (Yacoub) Kallassi, the co-founderand CEO of the station. He is the Chairman of Kallassi Group(GroupKa) - a group specializing in consumer goods, distribution,restaurants, food production, export and real estate. One of hisbrothers, Bechara Al Kallassi is the chairman of King Food S.A.L.,part of the Kallassi Group owning the Burger King franchise inLebanon. Another brother, Paul Kallassi is the General Manager ofKallassi Trading Corporation (KTC), owning several food productsbrands in Lebanon. Jean Kallassi, Jacques’ third brother, is a boardmember of GroupKa.


33%



768 / 1471







Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Kallassi Group

Consumer goods I El Kallassi Trading Corporation

Food production I Arla Kallassi Foods SAL

Food production I Danika

Food production I Sheepka

Food distribution I King Food SAL

Export I Interka

Logistics and maintenance I Servika

Distribution of consumer products I Hakim Dowek & Sons

Investment

28.5% TV



769 / 1471





Family & Friends

Further Information

Bechara Al Kallassibrother of Jacques, owns the Burger King franchise in Lebanon.

Paul Kallassibrother of Jacques and owns several food product brands.

Jean Kallassibrother of Jacques and board member of the Kallassi Group.


Meloy, D. (2015). In Southfield, Chaldean leaders sound call to save Middle

East. Accessed on 22 November 2018.

Kallassi Website. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Kallassi Trading. Accessed on 7 November 2018.

Naharnet (2012). King Food S.A.L. Wins Prestigious International Award.


Headlines



Sources



770 / 1471

http://www.themichigancatholic.org/2015/07/in-southfield-chaldean-leaders-sound-call-to-save-middle-east/

http://www.kallassi.com/english/our-group/the-groups-structure

https://lb.kompass.com/c/kallassi-trading-corporation-sal/lb000969/




Joseph Sarkis

MTV SAL





771 / 1471





MTV

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

Lintec Lebanon

HEC Saudi Arabia

Hospitality




Sources

TV



772 / 1471






Rabih Haber


Rabih Haber is a Lebanese pollster, founder and Managing Directorof Statistics Lebanon Ltd., a company specialized in opinion pollingand research since 1994, and he is also founder of Lebanonfiles.comin 2006. In 2013 he founded “Polethics” a company specialized inpolitical communication and electoral campaigns. Rabih Haber holdsa Master’s degree in Statistics, a DEA in Political Science and PublicAdministration and a Diploma in Air Navigation. He has beenlecturing at several universities since 1999.


98%



773 / 1471





Lebanon Files

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

Statistics Lebanon

Polethics

Research

Communications

Lebanon Files

Statistics Lebanon

Lebanese American University (2013). Speakers: Rabih Haber. Accessed 22

November 2018.



Sources

98% Online



774 / 1471




https://www.statisticslebanonltd.com/

http://ldf.lau.edu.lb/en/instructors/rabih-haber-al.php








100%



775 / 1471








Al-Binaa

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information






November 2018.

Headlines



Sources

100% Print



776 / 1471







Lebanese Forces







777 / 1471













Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends


Sports-Leb.com

7asriyan.com


Publishing







778 / 1471







Further Information


2018.


November 2018.





Sources



779 / 1471











780 / 1471







Voix du Liban 100.3


Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

100%

100% Radio



781 / 1471





Further Information










782 / 1471



Hezbollah






100%



783 / 1471








Al-Nour Al-Manar

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information




Data Unavailable

Sources

100% Radio 100% TV



784 / 1471









Tayyar.org



Media Outlets

Facts

100% Online



785 / 1471












Further Information






Active Transparency

Sources



786 / 1471













787 / 1471













788 / 1471





789 / 1471





OTV


Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

50%

50% TV



790 / 1471






Further Information

















Sources



791 / 1471







November 2018.




792 / 1471





Ya Sour Media and Social GroupYa Sour Group consists of two inseparable parts: the first one is themedia component that includes the Ya Sour website and the YaSour quarterly magazine, along with several specialized websites.The second part is the social and cultural aspect that includes the YaSour Cultural and Social Association, the Women and ChildrenAffairs Committee, the Photography Club and the Sports Section.

The media part:

The Ya Sour website was launched on November 1, 2005. It is asocial news website covering the city of Sour (Tyre). With time, YaSour expanded its range of interests and started covering newsin nearby areas, then other villages and towns in the south. YaSour has correspondents in several southern areas, as well ascorrespondents abroad who cover the news of southerncommunities around the world. We rely on news agencies tocover Lebanese local news in places where we do not havecorrespondents. Ya Sour has a license to issue a periodical calledYa Sour, which is distributed free of charge on a quarterly basis.In 2014, the Photography Club website was launched; itincludes a significant photo archive of Sour and the region.The Ya Sour Group also has a radio station broadcasting on 89.7FM and covering Sour and the region. As for the 90.7 FMbroadcast band, it covers the south, Western Bekaa, Iqlim AlKharroub and the coast all the way to Saadiyat. It also broadcastsall over the world thanks to its special online application.



793 / 1471



Ya Sour

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

Ya Sour Quarterly Magazine

Ya Sour Radio

Publication

Radio Television & radiobroadcasting




Sources

100% Online



794 / 1471



http://www.yasour.org/2018/ar/about%20/












795 / 1471







796 / 1471














99.4% 59.1% 39.6%

98% 100%



797 / 1471













Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Saudi Oger


Horizon Group


99.4% Radio 59.1% TV 39.6% Print




798 / 1471













Oger Telecom

Vero


Omnia Holdings


GroupMed

Bank Audi

BankMed

Arab Bank PLC

Med Gulf

Red Sea Ventures


Wave Holding

D.S. Holding



Radio Orient SAL


Annahar SAL

Telecommunications

Digital Media

Logistics

Chemicals

Banking

Insurance

Investment

Publishing



799 / 1471



Family & Friends

Further Information


The Daily Star SAL










Headlines



800 / 1471











November 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



801 / 1471














802 / 1471






Annahar SAL

Annahar


Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

22.9%

23% Print



803 / 1471







Further Information







Sources



804 / 1471










805 / 1471







99.9%



806 / 1471






Lebanon 24 LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

M1 Capital

M1 Capital

Areeba

M1 Limited (MTN)

M1 Real Estate

Investcom

M1 Commercial Jets

M1 Travel (Baboo)


Investment

Financial Services

Telecommunications

Real Estate

Construction

Aviation

Consumer Goods

99.9% Online 4% TV



807 / 1471





Family & Friends

Further Information





Consumer goods

Energy










Sources



808 / 1471




Issam Fares






20%



809 / 1471





LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information







20% TV



810 / 1471










Sources



811 / 1471











812 / 1471









99%



813 / 1471





Al Joumhouria

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Group Murr



Al Joumhouria Women

Al Joumhouria Cars

Group Murr Aviation


Media

Aviation

99% Print



814 / 1471





Further Information











Sources



815 / 1471





Khayat Family

Al Jadeed SAL






58.1%



816 / 1471






Al-Jadeed

Media Outlets

Facts

Business


Middle East Power

SportsVille



Garnet Publishing

Geoprojects Limited

Garnet Education

All Prints

Engineering

Hospitality

Publishing

58.1% TV



817 / 1471




Family & Friends

Further Information

International Press











November.


on 23 November.





Sources



818 / 1471










Salam Family




100%



819 / 1471




Al-Liwaa

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information



100% Print



820 / 1471




Daher-Saad Family






50.6%



821 / 1471




LBCI

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

PAC LTD

Vanilla Production

World Media Group

Monitor Holding

Media Production

Media




50.6% TV



822 / 1471




Further Information










Sources



823 / 1471




Khazen Family





35.1%



824 / 1471










Voix du Liban 93.3

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information








Meta Data

35.1% Radio



825 / 1471












Sources



826 / 1471







Eddé Family




38%



827 / 1471






L’Orient-Le Jour

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

MurexFinance





38% Print



828 / 1471





Further Information





2018.







Headlines



Sources



829 / 1471








Pharaon Family






15.4%



830 / 1471




L’Orient-Le Jour

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Pharaon Holding SAL



MedNet


Téléjour Holding

Investment

Insurance

Healthcare

Media


15.5% Print



831 / 1471





Further Information





2018.




Sources



832 / 1471













833 / 1471








834 / 1471




MTV SAL

MTV


Media Outlets

Facts

Business

TV



835 / 1471







Family & Friends

Further Information

One TV

NRJ

Nostalgie

Jabal Lebnan

Aghani Aghani

Studiovision





Media Production

Event Management

Retail

Real Estate








836 / 1471









Sources



837 / 1471







Berri Family







19.1%



838 / 1471





NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends


Shazam

Muzeit

Numbase

Numcall

Nomtome

Daily Millionaire

Real Estate

Technology

Lottery

19.7% TV



839 / 1471




Further Information










22 November 2018.


November 2018.


2018.


22 November 2018.




Sources



840 / 1471













November 2018.


on 7 November 2018.






841 / 1471















842 / 1471









Sawt El Shaab

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information





Sources

100% Radio



843 / 1471






Joseph Sarkis

MTV SAL





844 / 1471





MTV

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

Lintec Lebanon

HEC Saudi Arabia

Hospitality




Sources

TV



845 / 1471






Ibrahim Al Amine

Akhbar Beirut SAL



43.8%



846 / 1471






Al-Akhbar

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

TO BE ADDED



Sources

43.8% Print



847 / 1471





Youssef Wehbi

Akhbar Beirut SAL

Al-Akhbar

Youssef Wehbi owns a total of 34.8% of Akhbar Beirut SAL ; 29.9% directly and 5% through his ownership of40% of Akhbar Beirut Holding.


Media Outlets

34.8%

34.8% Print



848 / 1471







Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Missing Data

Missing DataAffiliated Interests FamilyMembers Friends



849 / 1471



Charles Ayoub

Al-Nahda SAL



98.6%



850 / 1471







Addiyar

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information







Sources

98.6% Print



851 / 1471






Al Waleed Bin TalalA member of the Saudi royal family, Prince Al Walid Bin Talal is thecousin of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. AlWalid Bin Talal is considered to be one of the most influentialpeople in the world. A well-known businessman qualified as the“Arabian Warren Buffett” by Time Magazine, he is the founder, CEOand main owner of the Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), based inSaudi Arabia. KHC is one of the world’s premier internationalinvestment companies with holdings in some of the world’s best-known companies and brands including Twitter, Time Warner,Samba, Citigroup, Pepsi, Walt Disney and Four Seasons.Furthermore, KHC is involved in the media (the satellite Cairo-based LBC channel, after being involved in theLebanon-based LBCI, as well as the Rotana entertainment channels and production houses), airlines (Flynas)and construction.

Walid Bin Talal also holds the Lebanese nationality, as the grandson of the first Prime Minister of independentLebanon Riyad Solh. Kingdom Holding is represented in Lebanon by Al-Waleed Bin Talal's mother, cousin andaunt, former Minister of Industry (2004 and 2005) Leila Solh. She is also the President of Al-Waleed Bin Talal'sHumanitarian Foundation, Alwaleed Philanthropies charity, one of the main donor for several health andeducation institutions across Lebanon. The Lebanese branch of Kingdom Holding is also represented in theBoard of Administrators of Annahar newspaper.

As of early 2015, it was estimated that his net worth was around 22.8 billion US$. In 2017, as Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salman turned Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel into a five-star jail for some of the nation’s mostprominent citizens in what he called an anti-corruption sweep, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal was detained there formore than two months and was released in January 2018.



852 / 1471









Al-Nahda SAL

Addiyar


Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Kingdom HoldingInvestment

1.4%

1.4% Print



853 / 1471






Family & Friends

Further Information

Leila Al Solhleader of Bin Talal's charity in Lebanon and former Lebanese Minister ofIndustry.


AFP (2016). Saudi prince calls for end to country’s 'unjust' ban on women

driving. Accessed 15 November 2018.

Alwaleed Philanthropies. Leila Al Sohl. Accessed November 2018.

Arabian Business. The World’s 100 most powerful Arab women. Accessed

15 November 2018.

Crunchbase. Kingdom Holding Company Profile. Accessed on 8 November

2018.

Washington Post (2018). A year after the Ritz-Carlton roundup, Saudi elites

remain jailed by the crown prince. Accessed on 8 November 2018.

Headlines



Sources



854 / 1471

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/30/saudi-prince-calls-for-end-unjust-ban-on-women-driving


https://www.arabianbusiness.com/the-world-s-100-most-powerful-arab-women-541034.html?itemid=540870

https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/kingdom-holding-company




Elias Bou Saab

Al Mada Group SARL




99%



855 / 1471








Sawt El Mada

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Fame FM

Sawt El Mada



Publication




99% Radio



856 / 1471




Further Information




2018.


Headlines



Sources



857 / 1471














858 / 1471







Télé Liban SAL




99.9%



859 / 1471







Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information



100% Radio 99.9% TV



860 / 1471





Hamdan Family




29.8%



861 / 1471







NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information


November 2018.



Sources

29.8% TV



862 / 1471













863 / 1471




Al Jadeed SAL

Al-Jadeed


Media Outlets

Facts

Business


6.6%

6.7% TV



864 / 1471






Further Information





Sources



865 / 1471

http://zakhem.com/



Nizar Younes

Al Jadeed SAL







866 / 1471





Al-Jadeed

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information





Sources

6.7% TV



867 / 1471






Ali Al Amine

Janoubia


Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information



100% Online



868 / 1471






William Mjalli






869 / 1471





NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Family & Friends

Further Information





9.9% TV



870 / 1471








Sources



871 / 1471




Hani Hammoud




10%



872 / 1471









Future TV

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information





Sources

10% TV



873 / 1471





Ahmad Hussein


NBN



Media Outlets

10% TV



874 / 1471





Kassem Soueid




10%



875 / 1471







NBN

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information


November 2018.



Sources

10% TV



876 / 1471






Akhbar Beirut SAL




18.8%



877 / 1471





Al-Akhbar

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information





18.8% Print



878 / 1471





Wijewardene Family


The Wijewardene family has a long history in the media sphere of SriLanka. The family's roots in the local print media dates back to DonRichard Wijewardene, also known as D.R. Wijewardene, whoestablished the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL/Lake House) in 1926. D.R. Wijewardene is also credited with being akey figure in the Sri Lankan independence movement. His son,Ranjit Wijewardene, is the founding Chairperson of WijeyaNewspapers (Pvt) Limited. Initially, Ranjit served as the Chairpersonof ANCL until it was nationalised in 1973 under SirimavoBandaranaike's government. Ranjit’s cousin, Upali Wijewardene,founded the publishing house Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited. Besides their well-known presence in the SriLankan media, members of the Wijewardene family have also served in various political capacities. Forinstance, Ranil Wickremesinghe, the incumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the Leader of the UnitedNational Party (UNP), is the nephew of Ranjit Wijewardene. Meanwhile, the current State Minister of DefenceRuwan Wijewardene is the son of Ranjit Wijewardene. J.R. Jayawardene was the first Executive President of SriLanka and the nephew of D.R. Wijewardene.


100%



879 / 1471




Lankadeepa Ada The Sunday Times

Lankadeepa Online

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Stamford Lake (Pvt) Limited

Lake House Printers and Publishers (Pvt) Limited

LH Plantations (Pvt) Limited

Printing and Publishing

Real Estate

100% Print 100% Print 100% Print

100% Online



880 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lankadeepa/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lankadeepa/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/ada/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/the-sunday-times/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/the-sunday-times/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lankadeepa-online/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lankadeepa-online/



Family & Friends

Further Information

Ranweli Holiday Village Limited

Sarathi Tours Limited

Sarathi Ltd

Wijeya Graphics (Pvt) Limited

Tourism

Recruitment Consultancy

Technology

Ranjit Sujiva Wijewardene – is the Chairperson at Wijeya Newspapers Limited(WNL) and owns 89.99 percent of shares in the company. He is also thecurrent President of the Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka. In addition toowning shares at WNL, Ranjit owns 0.57 percent of shares at the state-ownedAssociated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL).

Parakrama Sujan Wijewardene – the son of Ranjit Wijewardene and serves asthe Deputy Chairperson at WNL. He owns 10 percent of shares at WNL.

Dinendra Ruwan Wijewardene – also known as Ruwan Wijewardene is thesecond son of Ranjit Wijewardene. He serves as the current State Minister ofDefence for the Government of Sri Lanka and owns 0.002 percent of shares atWNL. In addition to his ministerial portfolio, he serves as a Consultant andPersonal Assistant to the Chairperson of WNL.

Ranjini Neela Senanayake – the wife of Ranjit Wijewardene and owns 0.002percent of shares at WNL.

Ranil Wickremesinghe – the nephew of Ranjit Wijewardene. Ranil concurrentlyserves as the incumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the Leader of theUnited National Party.

Shan Wickremesinghe – the brother of Ranil Wickremesinghe and theChairperson of Telshan Networks (Pvt) Limited (TNL).




881 / 1471



TNL Chairman to take legal action against TRCSL by the Daily Mirror


Digital law vital to digitize state institutions: PM by the Daily Mirror (2018),


The ownership structure of Wijeya Newspapers Limited was obtained fromthe annual returns at the Department of Registrar of Companies. Secondarysources were referenced to note the affiliated interests of the key individualsmentioned due to the lack of information in this regard on the official websiteof Wijeya Newspapers Limited. While the Media Ownership Monitor researchteam reached out to Wijeya Newspapers Limited by formally requesting forthe company’s information on 20 July 2018, the company responded to theaforementioned request on 17 August 2018. From the response received, theteam was unable to use the market share percentage provided (75%) as theteam did not have access to the figures used to arrive at this percentage.However, information on the organisational structure was cited from theresponse provided by the company as well as from the Department ofRegistrar of Companies.


The State Minister of Defense Sri Lanka, Accessed on 10 August 2018


on 10 August 2018

Lake House Printers and Publishers by The Wall Street Journal, Accessed

on 10 August 2018




Prairie Awards to Wijewardene Clan For Fostering Sri Lankan Journalism;



Headlines



Meta Data

Sources



882 / 1471

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/TNL-Chairman-to-take-legal-action-against-TRCSL-150874.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Digital-law-vital-to-digitize-state-institutions-PM--156142.html















883 / 1471





Frem Family






15% 30%



884 / 1471






Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information










Sources

27.5% TV



885 / 1471












Welgama Family


Lakmani Welgama (nee) Ratwatte and Nimal Welgama own andoversee the operations of Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited. Lakmaniis the daughter of the late Dr. Seevali Ratwatte, who served as theChairperson of the Upali Group of newspapers and was also thebrother of former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Atpresent, Lakmani owns 90.52 percent of the company. Meanwhile,her husband Nimal Welgama serves as the Managing Director. Priorto being promoted as the Managing Director at Upali Newspapers(Pvt) Limited, Nimal Welgama served as a staff member under UpaliWijewardene. He has also served as the Chairperson of Sri LankaTelecom from 2011 to 2014 and the Monetary Board of Sri Lanka. Parliamentary Member Kumara Welgama isNimal Welgama's brother.


94%



886 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/upali-newspapers-pvt-limited/



Divaina

Media Outlets

Facts

Family & Friends

Further Information

Nimal Welgama – is married to Lakmani Welgama (nee Ratwatte). LakmaniRatwatte is the daughter of the late Dr. Seevali Ratwatte, who served as theChairperson of the Upali Group of Newspapers. Parliamentary MemberKumara Welgama is Nimal Welgama's brother.


Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, MP Chamal Rajapaksa, Nimal

Welgama, Managing Director, Upali Group by The Island (2018), Accessed


Newly appointed monetary board member Nimal Welgama declines the

job by Lanka Business Online (2006), Accessed on 28 September 2018

Nimal Welgama, new SLT Chairman by Daily News (2010), Accessed on 28

September 2018

Headlines

94% Print



887 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/divaina/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/divaina/


http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/newly-appointed-monetary-board-member-nimal-welgama-declines-the-job/




Upali Wijewardene the colossus by Daily News (2016), Accessed on 20

September 2018

Phillip Upali Wijewardene a native son whose vision embraced the world

by The Island (2016), Accessed on 20 September 2018

Malaysian plane revives memories of Upali Wijewardene who disappeared


Rajapaksa era culture and ethos, EPF scams helped Sri Lanka bond frauds:

Commission by Economy Next (2018), Accessed on 20 September 2018

Death of Dr. Seevali Ratwatte by The Island (2014), Accessed on 20

September 2018

Welgama brothers to spend Rs. 5 mn for Mirisawetiya Bodhiya by The

Island (2011), Accessed on 20 September 2018

???????? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? (Nimal Welgama the new chairman of

Telecom) by Divaina (2010), Accessed on 20 September 2018

Sri Lanka Press Association ExCo 2018 /2019 by Daily News (2018),


????? ???????? ??? ??? ????????? ???????? (Cannot hinder our journey forward

with insults) by Divaina (2016), Accessed on 20 September 2018

'??????' ??????? ????? ?? ?? ‍?? ?????? ???????? ???? (Divaina Julius Caesar and the

Sri Lankan press culture) by Divaina (2013), Accessed on 20 September

2018

?????? ???? ‍? ?????????? ?? ????? ???????? ?????? ??????? (Dr. Seevali Ratwatte,

the best media administrator) by Divaina (2014), Accessed on 20

September 2018

CID queries journalist over drug dealer arrest article by Sri Lanka Brief




888 / 1471

http://www.dailynews.lk/2016/02/12/features/upali-wijewardene-colossus


https://www.newsfirst.lk/2014/03/12/malaysian-plane-mh370-revives-memories-mysteriously-disappeared-lankan-baron-upali-wijewardena/24948/

https://economynext.com/Rajapaksa_era_culture_and_ethos,_EPF_scams_helped_Sri_Lanka_bond_frauds__Commission-3-9599-.html




http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/03/12/local/145215/sri-lanka-press-association-exco-2018-2019?page=44




http://srilankabrief.org/2011/06/cid-queries-journalist-over-drug-dealer-arrest-article/



Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited does not have an official website. The officialweb portal of it's affiliated newspapers does not provide any details about itsfounder, board of directors or its organisational structure. As such, publiclyavailable secondary sources were referenced.Information on the company’sshareholders was gathered through the annual returns available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies. The last annual return filed at theRegistrar of Companies was in 2017. While the Media Ownership Monitorresearch team reached out to Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request.

Parliament Profile of Kumara Welgama, Accessed on 20 September 2018

Laughing Shot by Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed on 20 September 2018

The need for a properly constituted Monetary Board for the Central Bank

of Sri Lanka by the Daily FT (2016), Accessed on 20 September 2018

How Public Funds Wasted On Presidential Advisers by Sri Lanka Brief




Meta Data

Sources



889 / 1471

http://www.parliament.lk/members-of-parliament/directory-of-members/viewMember/182

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/Laughing-Shot-150405.html

http://www.ft.lk/article/552521/The-need-for-a-properly-constituted-Monetary-Board-for-the-Central-Bank-of-Sri-Lanka

http://srilankabrief.org/2015/02/how-public-funds-wasted-on-presidential-advisers/



Nihal Seneviratne Epa

ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt)Limited

Nihal Seneviratne Epa is the Chairperson, as well as a Director andshareholder at ASSET Radio Broadcasting Company (Pvt) Limited,where EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited is the only other shareholder. Heowns 38.67 percent of individual shares at ASSET RadioBroadcasting (Pvt) Limited while EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited owns61.33 percent of shares. However, Nihal is the sole shareholder ofEPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited. As such, he remains the overall owner ofASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limited. In 2011, Nihal and MilroyPieris, a Director of Neth FM, were reportedly legally challenged byLak Asia Holdings (Pvt) Limited and Sanka Kanchana WasalaLiyanage for preventing them from becoming Directors in ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limited. NihalSeneviratne Epa also authored a book on Sri Lankan foreign policy. He is a member of the Chamber of YoungLankan Entrepreneurs.


100%



890 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/asset-radio-broadcasting-pvt-limited/



Neth FM

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Further Information

EPA Holdings (Pvt) Ltd (100%)Services

Limited information is available about the owner. Shareholder details weregathered through the annual returns available at the Department of Registrarof Companies. The most recently available data for ASSET Radio Broadcasting(Pvt) Limited and EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited was from the year 2017. Whilethe Media Ownership Monitor research team reached out to Asset RadioBroadcasting (Pvt) Limited by formally requesting for the company’sinformation on 25 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request.



Meta Data

100% Radio



891 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/neth-fm/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/neth-fm/



Profile, Nihal Seneviratne Epa, the Chamber of Young Lankan

Entrepreneurs (2016), Accessed on 19 August 2018

About Us by the Official website of Neth FM (2018), Accessed on 19 August

2018

The official website of the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs,


Asset Radio’s Rights Issue blocked by Court by the Daily FT (2011),


Standing Apart by Business Today, Accessed on 12 October 2018

Sources



892 / 1471


https://nethfm.lk/about-us

http://coyle.lk/member-matching/

http://www.ft.lk/article/23426/Www.aquavista.lk




Rajamahendran Family


The Rajamahendran family are the owners of The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited and its subsidiaries. RajandramRajamahendran is the son of Sinnathamby Rajandram, one of thefounders of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited. Although R.Rajamahendran directly owns only a small number of shares in TheCapital Maharaja Organisation Limited, he and his son SashidharanRajamahendran retain ownership of the company primarily throughCapital Holdings (Pvt) Limited. R. Rajamahendran owns 79.95percent of direct shares and Sashidharan Rajamahendran owns20.05 percent of direct shares in Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited.Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited has 1.10 percent of direct shares in The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.However, Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited also holds shares in the other companies that hold majority shares inThe Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited such as S-Lon Industrial Plastics (Pvt) Limited, S-Lon Lanka,Harrisons (Colombo) (Pvt) Limited, ICL Marketing (Pvt) Limited and A.F. Jones Exporters Ceylon Limited.

Sashidharan Rajamahendran, who partly owns shares in several companies of the organisation, includingCapital Holdings (Pvt) Limited, serves as the Managing Director of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.Several other members of the family also serve in various capacities in the organisation. RajandramRajamahendran's wife currently serves as the CEO of Rumors salon, a company under the organisation.Meanwhile, Rajamahendran's daughter, Anjali Rajamahendran, is a Group Director in the organisation. PradeepMaharaja, the son of Rajandram Maharaja and Padma Maharaja, is also a Group Director in the organisation.


100%



893 / 1471




Sirasa TV Shakthi TV TV 1

Shakthi FM Y FM News 1st

Sirasa FM

Media Outlets

100% TV 100% TV 100% TV

100% Radio 100% Radio 100% Online

100% Radio



894 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/sirasa-tv/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/shakthi-tv/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/tv-1/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/shakthi-fm/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/y-fm/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/news-1st/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/sirasa-fm/



Facts

Business

S-Lon Lanka (Pvt) Limited

S-lon Industrial Lanka (Pvt) Limited

S-Lon Lear Lanka (Pvt) Limited

PE Plus (Pvt) Limited

A. F. Jones Exporters (Ceylon) Private Limited

Harrisons Colombo (Pvt) Limited

Harrisons Chemical (Pvt) Limited

Harcros Chemicals (Pvt) Limited

Tuffline Limited

Kevilton Electrical Products (Pvt) Limited

ICL Marketing (Pvt) Limited

International Cosmetics (Pvt) Limited

Computer Systems (Pvt) Limited

Harrisons Shipping (Pvt) Limited

Cannice Creations International (Pvt) Limited

The Maharaja Organisation (Projects) Limited

Stein Studios

Plastics

Tea

Chemicals

Packaging

Electrical

Personal Care

ICT

Services

Projects

Entertainment



895 / 1471



Family & Friends

Further Information

Maharaja Entertainments (Pvt) Limited

Aquarius (Pvt) Limited

Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited

Dawson Capital Limited

Jones Overseas Limited

Maharaja Institute of Management (Pvt) Limited

Vision Link (Pvt) Limited

Unknown

Management

Rajandram Rajamahendran- the Chairperson of The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited and the majority owner of the company. He is also theowner of the other shareholding companies of The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited and its subsidiaries with his son SashidharanRajamahendran. Rajandram Rajamahendran serves as a Director at severalcompanies affiliated with the Maharaja Group.

Rajamahendran Sashidharan – the son of Rajandram Rajamahendran andalso a Managing Director at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.Additionally, he serves as a Director at Tuffline Limited and Capital Holdings(Pvt) Limited, among several other companies affiliated with the MaharajaGroup. He and Rajandram Rajamahendran own Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited.

Arun Pradeep Maharaja – the son of Rajandram Maharaja and the nephew ofRajandram Rajamahendran. He is a Director at The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited and the Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka (MBSL).

Anjali Sujatha Rajamahendran – the daughter of Rajandram Rajamahendranand serves as a Director at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.




896 / 1471



Shashi Rajamahendran, appointed Capital Maharaja MD by Daily News


The Capital Maharaja Organisation's official website and the websites of itssubsidiaries do not provide in-depth details about its company structure. Assuch, secondary sources were required. Chairperson RajandramRajamahendran is occasionally referred to as Kili Maharaja and R.Rajamahendran. These names are spelt differently across the cited sources.Information on the company’s shareholders was gathered through the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The mostrecent data was available for the year 2017. While the Media OwnershipMonitor research team reached out to The Capital Maharaja Organisation byformally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, thecompany did not respond to the aforementioned request.


on 31 August 2018

Dictionary of Biography of the Tamils of Ceylon

Headlines



Meta Data

Sources

Documents



897 / 1471



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5933&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=67460be36e78f1cb14c60533b1f31b82



Alexis Indrajit Lovell


Alexis Indrajit Lovell is a Charted Management Accountant and isqualified in Business Administration. He also holds an honorary MBE(Most Distinguished Order of the British Empire) award. In May 2012he was appointed to the board of the Union Bank of Colombo. He isa stakeholder of an upcoming apartment complex in Colombo. Thedevelopers named "The One" market their luxury apartments to SriLankans living abroad and foreign investors. Alexis Indrajit Lovell islisted as shareholder of Ben Holdings which has recently acquired60 percent of shares in EAP Broadcasting Company which operatesthe television channel Swarnavahini. Lovell is a past pupil of St.Patricks' College, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.


60%



898 / 1471




Swarnavahini Shree FM

Media Outlets

Facts

Further Information

The official website of EAP Holdings has been under construction for over twomonths, making the access to the company’s present ownership difficult toobtain. As such, the MOM research term referenced several newspaperreports in addition to gathering shareholder details through the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The mostrecent data was available for the year 2017. However, documents on thetransfer of shares was for the year 2018. An annual return has not been filedby EAP Broadcasting Company Limited since the transfer of shares to BlueSummit Capital Pte. Limited and Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited. While the MediaOwnership Monitor research team reached out to EAP Broadcasting CompanyLimited by formally requesting for the company’s information on 25 July 2018,the company did not respond to the aforementioned request.

Bloomberg profile on Alexis Lovell, Accessed on 3 October 2018



Meta Data

Sources

60% TV 60% Radio



899 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/swarnavahini/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/shree-fm/




Silver Jubilee Souvenir by the Patricians of Jaffna- Australia, Accessed on

12 September 2018



900 / 1471

https://docplayer.net/53558828-Silver-jubilee-souvenir-patricians-of-jaffna-australia.html



Silva Family


Rayynor Silva is a well-known personality in the broadcasting field ofSri Lanka. Presently, he serves as the Chairperson of AsiaBroadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited, which is considered to bethe largest radio network in Sri Lanka and is a part of Rayynor SilvaHoldings (Pvt) Limited. He also holds shares in Skyline Pacific RealEstate (Pvt) Limited and White Lotus Fashions (Pvt) Limited, whichhas a franchise agreement with the Singaporean Fashion label'Raoul'. Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited is listed as the soleshareholder of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. It isowned by Rayynor Silva and his parents. Previously, Rayynor hasserved as the President of the IAA (International Advertising Association) Sri Lanka Chapter.


100%



901 / 1471




Hiru TV Hiru FM Gold FM

Hiru News Sooriyan FM Shaa FM

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited (100%)

Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited (99.9%)

Radio and TelevisionBroadcasting

Real Estate

100% TV 100% Radio 100% Radio

100% Online 100% Radio 100% Radio



902 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/hiru-tv/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/hiru-fm/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/gold-fm/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/hiru-news/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/sooriyan-fm/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/sooriyan-fm/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/shaa-fm/



Family & Friends

Further Information

White Lotus Fashions (Pvt) Limited

Lotus Technologies (Pvt) Limited

Fashion

Web Design

Vincent Silva – the brother of Rayynor Silva. He serves as the CEO of AsiaBroadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited.

Dilini Silva – the younger sister of Rayynor Silva. She serves as the ManagingDirector of White Lotus Fashions (Pvt) Limited.

Duminda Silva – the brother of Rayynor Silva and a former Member ofParliament. On 11 October 2018 the Supreme Court dismissed the appealfiled by Duminda Silva for the murder of former Member of Parliament,Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.


Appeal in ABC suspension case by the Sunday Times (2007), Accessed 8

September 2018

Find source of ABC news item, SC directs by Daily News (2008), Accessed 7

September 2018

ABC MD in hot water for misleading court: petition dismissed by Daily

News (2007), Accessed 7 September 2018

9 young creative Sri Lankans headed to Asia Pacific's premiere creative

competition by Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed 7 September 2018

Rayynor Silva – Chairman of Asia Broadcasting, Celebrates his Birthday

Today by Hiru News (2015), Accessed on 7 September 2018

Headlines





903 / 1471




http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/-Young-Creative-Sri-Lankans-headed-to-Asia-Pacific-s-premier-creative-competition-Spikes-Asia-155058.html

http://www.hirunews.lk/111918/rayynor-silva-chairman-asia-broadcasting-celebrates-his-birth-day-today



Information about Rayynor Silva was mostly gathered from the officialwebsites of Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited and Asia BroadcastingCorporation (Pvt) Limited. Details on the shareholder structure of companiesowned by Rayynor Silva were gathered from the annual returns available atthe Department of Registrar of Companies. While the Media OwnershipMonitor research team reached out to Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt)Limited by formally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018,the company did not respond to the aforementioned request.


on 3 September 2018


September 2018


September 2018

Judgement reserved in Duminda Silva's appeal by the Daily News (2018),

Accessed 3 September 2018

LinkedIn profile of Prasad Karunarathne, Accessed on 3 September 2018

Official website of White Lotus Fashions (Pvt) Limited, Accessed on 7 Sep

2018

Appeal in ABC suspension case by The Sunday Times (2007), Accessed on

8 September 2018

ABC MD in hot water for misleading court: pettition dismissed by the Daily


Reefcomber soon as Citrus Aqua by the Sunday Times (2010), Accessed on

12 September 2018

More time for new TV sees Rayynor out of Citrus board by the Daily FT

(2012), Accessed on 12 Sep 2018

So why did Duminda Silva end up in prison by the Daily Mirror (2016),


Meta Data

Sources



904 / 1471










http://www.ft.lk/front-page/more-time-for-new-tv-sees-rayynor-out-of-citrus-board/44-83373

http://www.dailymirror.lk/115694/So-why-Did-Duminda-Silva-end-up-in-prison-








905 / 1471





Allirajah Subaskaran


Allirajah Subaskaran is the majority shareholder and Chairperson ofLycamobile UK Limited. As founder of the Lycamobile Group ofcompanies, he is also the Chairperson at Lycamoney, Lycatel andLycafly. Having immigrated to France, Allirajah’s Lycamobile, whichbegan as an international calling card company, has spanned over23 countries in Europe and several areas in America. In a period of10 years since its inception in 2006, Lycamobile has reportedly seena turnover of USD 1.8 billion. In 2010, Allirajah established theGnanam Foundation in 2010 with his mother, Gnanambikai Allirajah,and his wife, Prema (Premantharshini) Subaskaran. The foundationprovides funding for projects which improves the livelihoods and standards of education for underprivilegedcommunities.


40%



906 / 1471




Swarnavahini Shree FM

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Lycamobile

Lycachat

Lycaremit

Lycafly

Lycatalk

Lycatel

LycaTV

Lycalotto

Lyca Productions

Telecommunications

Finanacial Services

Aviation and Travel

Mobile Services

Television channel hosting

Lottery

Film Production

40% TV 40% Radio



907 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/swarnavahini/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/shree-fm/



Family & Friends

Further Information

Prematharshini Subaskaran - She is the wife of Allirajah Subaskaran. From2007 to 2017, she was the majority shareholder of Portuguese-basedcompany Pettigo Comercio Internacional Lda. This company owns thetrademark for many of Allirajah's Lyca Group of companies, includingLycamovie, Lycamobile and Lycafly. in May 2016, she was listed as a Directorat LycaHealth.


Connecting And Collaborating With Communities by Business Today


Lycamobile's Offshore Empire Is Embroiled In Sri Lanka's Hunt For Stolen

Assets by the Buzzfeed (2006), Accessed on 24 September 2018



The Immigrant Phone Card Seller Making The Bollywood Movie You Have

To See by the Forbes (2017), Accessed on 22 September 2018

Controversial Lycamobile boss here for Hutch deal by the Sunday Times


Headlines





908 / 1471

http://www.businesstoday.lk/article.php?article=10789&issue=299

https://www.buzzfeed.com/janebradley/lycamobiles-offshore-empire-is-embroiled-in-corruption-probe


https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewcave/2017/02/14/the-immigrant-phone-card-seller-making-the-bollywood-movie-you-have-to-see/#25e6914e51d4

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/151206/news/controversial-lycamobile-boss-here-for-hutch-deal-174372.html



Allirajah Subaskaran's involvement in the acquisition of EAP BroadcastingCorporation Limited has been discussed in several press reports in 2018. TheMOM team learnt that 39.99 percent of EAP Broadcasting had beenpurchased by Blue Summit Capital Management Pte. Limited as per theannual returns of EAP Broadcasting that are accessible at the Department ofRegistrar of Companies. In 2017, Blue Summit Capital Management Pte.Limited was owned by Pettigo Comercio Internacional Lda, which in turn wasowned by Allirajah’s wife, Prematharshini Subaskaran. Credible reportsconfirming that Allirajah Subaskaran purchased EAP Broadcasting were notavailable during the research process. Details about Allirajah’s operation ofother businesses in Sri Lanka were also not available.

LinkedIn profile of Subaskaran Allirajah, Accessed on 24 September 2018

Official website of the Gnanam-Foundation, Accessed on 24 September

2018

Lycamobile Team, Accessed on 24 September 2018



$ 60 m EAP Group sale to UK Lyca Group today? by the Daily FT (2018),


Bloomberg profile on Subaskaran Allirajah, Accessed on 22 September

2018

Mrs Prema Subaskaran by Asian Voice (2016), Accessed on 23 September

2018

Business Profile (Company) of Blue Summit Capital Pte Limited

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



909 / 1471

https://www.linkedin.com/in/subaskaran-allirajah-372b4b48/?originalSubdomain=uk

http://gnanam-foundation.org/

http://www.lycamobile.com/team


http://www.ft.lk/front-page/--60-m-EAP-Group-sale-to-UK-Lyca-Group-today-/44-649811


https://www.asian-voice.com/Opinion/Columnists/Keith-Vaz/Mrs-Prema-Subaskaran




The GovernmentWithin Sri Lanka’s post-independent landscape, a significant sectionof the media has been owned by the state. The AssociatedNewspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) is a state-owned publishinghouse, whereas the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) andthe Independent Television Network Limited (ITN) are state-ownedTV broadcasters. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka BroadcastingCorporation (SLBC) remains the official state-owned radiobroadcaster. In addition to having a direct foothold in mediaownership, the state also acts as a regulatory body in both print andelectronic media through the Sri Lanka Press Council (SLPC) and theTelecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC). These institutions, excluding the TRC and the SLRC, comeunder the purview of the Ministry of Mass Media. In 2019, the SLRC was brought under the Ministry of Defence.

In the print sector, the state holds a stake through ANCL, more commonly known as Lake House. Thisinstitution was established under the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited No. 35 of 1981. Prior to this, itwas a private entity formed by the Lake House Group. Presently, 87.56 percent of ANCL’s total number ofshares are vested in the Public Trustee on behalf of the government. The Public Trustee belongs to theDepartment of Public Trustees, which was established under the Public Trustee Ordinance No. 1 of 1922. Thisbody comes under the purview of the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms.

The earliest role of the state in electronic media was documented with the establishment of the SLBC. The SriLanka Broadcasting Corporation Act No. 37 of 1966 transformed the Department of Broadcasting (formerlyknown as Radio Ceylon) into a statutory corporation. The Act is further used by the Ministry to issue licences toprivate broadcasting stations. In relation to TV broadcasting, the SLRC was established under the Sri LankaRupavahini Corporation Act No. 6 of 1982. It is the official state-owned TV broadcasting service and the Act isused by the respective Minister to issue private TV broadcasting licences. However, the first TV broadcastingstation was a private venture by the Independent Television Network (ITN). The station was nationalised into astate-owned company. It currently operates under the purview of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act No.6 of 1982.

While SLRC is funded by taxpayer money, the main source of income of the SLRC and ITN is the sale of airtimefor sponsored programmes and commercials. In 2012, the SLRC Annual Report included a source by way of a‘government grant’ amounting to LKR 11 million. By contrast, the SLBC is heavily reliant on taxpayer moneyfunded by the Treasury (under the Ministry of Finance). Furthermore, the current framework grants excessivepowers of appointments and removal of board members to the Ministry over the aforementioned stateinstitutions. The lack of specification of qualifications and criteria for the appointment in the Acts possiblypermits the Ministry to occupy a more centralised role in the organisational structure.

Lastly, as per the state’s stake in regulatory bodies, the Sri Lanka Press Council Law No. 5 of 1973 set up theSLPC. In the past, this body was reportedly used as a tool of intimidation to investigate complaints against themedia, impose penalties and register newspapers. In 2015, after President Maithripala Sirisena came into



910 / 1471



ANCL SLBC SLRC

ITN

power he directly appointed the new members and re-activated the SLPC. On the other hand, the TRC wasestablished under the Telecommunications Act No. 25 of 1991 and issues licences for the frequencies ofbroadcasting services. Here too appointments made to the commission have a tendency to be heavilypoliticised. For instance, both Presidential Secretariats of the former and incumbent governments havepresided over the position of Chairperson to the TRC.


87.6% 100% 100%

100%



911 / 1471







Sunday Observer Silumina Independent Television Network(ITN)

Rupavahini Channel Eye / Nethra TV Vasantham TV

Thesiya FM News.lk Thinakaran.lk

Media Outlets

87.6% Print 87.6% Print 100% TV

TV TV 100% TV

Radio Online 87.6% Online



912 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/sunday-observer/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/silumina/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/independent-television-network-itn/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/rupavahini/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/channel-eye-nethra-tv/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/vasantham-tv/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/thesiya-fm/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/newslk/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/thinakaranlk/




Dailynews.lk

Facts

Further Information

Conference on 20th anniversary of Colombo Declaration on Media

Freedom and Social Responsibility by the Daily FT (2018), Accessed on 22

September 2018

Slowdown of social media platforms as TRC starts monitoring content by

the Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed on 23 September 2018

FMM protests move to appoint board for Sri Lanka Press Council by the


Lake House ordered to pay Rs.500 million compensation by BBC Sinhala


Information on the government media outlets and regulation was available inofficial websites of the government as well as secondary sources. Theownership structure was gathered through the annual returns available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies.

Headlines



Meta Data

87.6% Online



913 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/dailynewslk/


http://www.ft.lk/news/Conference-on-20th-anniversary-of-Colombo-Declaration-on-Media-Freedom-and-Social-Responsibility/56-663426

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1040233/slowdown-of-social-media-platforms-as-trc-starts-monitoring-content

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/07/13/local/156769/fmm-protests-move-appoint-board-sri-lanka-press-council?page=35

https://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2011/03/110323_wijedasa.shtml



Official website of the Independent Television Network Limited (ITN),


Official website of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, Accessed


Official website of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Accessed on 24

September 2018


September 2018

Official website of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri

Lanka, Accessed on 24 September 2018

Official website of the Sri Lanka Press Institute, Accessed on 24 September

2018


24 September 2018

Official website of the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms, Accessed on

24 September 2018

Mr. Austin Fernando, Secretary to the President is the new president of

the TRC (2014), Accessed on 24 September 2018

Public media or public media organisations in Sri Lanka? by Lanka

Business Online (2015), Accessed on 24 September 2018

Annual Report of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation for 2012

Sources

Documents



914 / 1471

http://www.itn.lk/en/about-us/

http://www.lakehouse.lk/

http://www.slbc.lk/


http://www.trc.gov.lk/

http://slpc.lk/

https://www.media.gov.lk/

https://www.moj.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28&Itemid=175&lang=en

http://www.trc.gov.lk/2014-05-13-13-23-17/press-room/661-mr-austin-fernando-secretary-to-the-president-is-the-new-chairman-of-trcsl.html

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/public-media-or-public-media-organizations-in-sri-lanka/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5940&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=cdc2ad11d21b4a040832cc3a529a2788



Dilith JayaweeraDilith Jayaweera is a well-known Sri Lankan entrepreneur whofounded an advertising agency, Triad Advertising (Pvt) Ltd, while hewas a law student. Established in 1993, the agency was modelled asthe country’s first local advertising house. In 2005, the agencygained prominence for running the advertising campaign of formerPresident Mahinda Rajapaksa’s candidacy for the presidentialelection. Subsequently, Jayaweera admits to investing in a range ofother businesses. Jayaweera was named Director of the Reefcomberin August 2010 after one of his subsidiary companies, Emagewise,purchased significant shares of the hotel. In October 2010, theReefcomber was re-branded as Citrus Leisure PLC and currently has hotels at three locations – Hikkaduwa,Waskaduwa and Colombo. Jayaweera remains a Director at Citrus Leisure PLC today. In 2011, Jayaweera andanother prominent businessman, Nimal Perera, were appointed to the board of directors after securing around43 percent of shares at the George Steuart and Company Limited. Sitting as either Chairperson or on the boardof directors, Jayaweera is currently the Chairperson of the George Steuart Group as well. This includes a financecompany – George Steuart Finance Limited.

In 2015, the Colombo Magistrate Court approved an investigation into the financial transactions of DilithJayaweera, Nalaka Godahewa, Varuni Amunugama and Sarvajana Anandaraj Ameresekere over the allegedirregularities in the share transactions of Lanka Hospitals. After such claims emerged, Jayaweera had reportedlywarned to sue the brother of the incumbent Prime Minister and the Chairperson of Telshan Networks (Pvt)Limited, Shan Wickremesinghe. This was owing to allegations that Wickremesinghe’s channel, TNL, hadtelecasted views against Jayaweera. The lawsuit was dropped after Wickremesinghe had reportedly issued anapology. Wickremesinghe’s daughter Ishini was also closely linked to the operations of Jayaweera’s Triad (Pvt)Limited previously. In the same year, Jayaweera's lawyers had reportedly warned to take legal action againstthe Chairperson of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited, R. Rajamahendran. A legal suit was to be filedclaiming compensation of LKR 2 million (around USD 12,500) for defamatory statements allegedly aired onRajamahendran's channel, Sirasa TV. However, Rajamahendran’s lawyers had also reportedly warned tocounter-sue Jayaweera for LKR 20 billion (around USD 125 million) if Jayaweera proceeded with the suit.



915 / 1471



Power House Limited

Derana TV FM Derana Ada Derana


Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Triad (Pvt) LimitedAdvertising

9%

9% TV 9% Radio 9% Online



916 / 1471


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/derana-tv/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/fm-derana/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/ada-derana/



Family & Friends

Further Information

Taprobane Street (Pvt) Limited

Imageline (Pvt Limited

Emagewise (Pvt) Limited

Printage (Pvt) Limited

HardTalk (Pvt) Limited

Ad Pack (Pvt) Limited

Triad Digital (Pvt) Ltd

Hammer BTL (Pvt) Limited

35 KM (Pvt) Ltd

Citrus Leisure PLC

Photography Studio

Graphic Design

Deseign and Printing

Printing

Public Relations

Event Management

Digital Advertising Agencyand Online Marketing

Branding Services

Audio Visual Productions

Tourism

Varuni Amunugama Fernando – Co-founder and shareholder of severalbusinesses with Dilith Jayaweera.






Headlines



917 / 1471






August 2018

Dilith, Varuni join directorate at Reefcomber by the Sunday Times (2010),


Sri Lanka hotel group Citrus Leisure to drop Kalpitiya hotel by the


Reefcomber soon as Citrus Aqua by the Sunday Times (2010), Accessed 03

August 2018

Colombo magistrate permits investigation of Dilith Jayaweera’s CSE

transactions by News First (2015), Accessed on 05 August 2018

Founding investor Dilith Jayaweera to head Derana by the Daily Mirror



TNL TV & radio by the Freedom of Expression Sri Lanka (2011), Accessed

on 07 August 2018






Accessed, 08 August 2018


action is taken by News First (2015), Accessed on 08 August 2018


August 2018



918 / 1471





https://www.newsfirst.lk/2015/07/02/colombo-magistrate-permits-investigation-of-cse-transaction-irregularities/










Founding Investor Dilith Jayaweera takes over the reins of Derana as

Chairman and Managing Director by The Island (2015), Accessed on 06

August 2018

Information on Dilith Jayaweera is publicly accessible across severalnewspaper reports. Shareholder information was gathered from theDepartment of Registrar of Companies.













August 2018







Meta Data

Sources



919 / 1471






http://triad.lk/

http://tnltv.lk/









on 3 August 2018





2018









2018




September 2018

Guide to Media 2017


Rajamahendran

Documents



920 / 1471














Varuni Amunugama Fernando

Power House Limited

Prominent businesswoman Varuni Sonali Amunugama Fernando isthe co-founder and shareholder of several companies along withDilith Jayaweera. She is the daughter of Member of ParliamentSarath Amunugama. In addition to serving as the Joint ExecutiveDirector at Triad (Pvt) Limited, she and Dilith own the company.They also own other affiliated companies such as Power HouseLimited and Derana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited. Varuni sitson many of the same boards as Dilith. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Directors at Heladiv, a teacompany.


9%



921 / 1471




Derana TV FM Derana Ada Derana

Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Triad (Pvt) Limited









Advertising

Photography Studio

Graphic Design

Design and Printing

Printing

Public Relations

Event Management


Branding Services

9% TV 9% Radio 9% Online



922 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/derana-tv/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/fm-derana/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/ada-derana/



Family & Friends

Further Information

35 KM (Pvt) Ltd

Citrus Leisure PLC


Tourism

Dilith Jayaweera – Co-founder and shareholder of several businesses withVaruni Amunugama Fernando.

Sarath Amunugama – the father of Varuni Amunugama Fernando is aMember of Parliament


Sarath Amunugama’s daughters writes about his "full life" by The Sunday

Island (2010), Accessed on 3 October 2018

Dilith, Varuni join directorate at Reefcomber by the Sunday Times (2010),


Colombo magistrate permits investigation of Dilith Jayaweera’s CSE

transactions by News First (2015), Accessed on 5 August 2018

Think positive, enjoy your profession by the Daily News (2018), Accessed

on 5 August 2018

While the official websites under the Derana Group of companies does notcontain any information about Varuni Amunugama Fernando, certainsecondary sources were publicly available and as such, were referenced forVaruni's profile. Meanwhile, information on shareholder data was gatheredfrom the Department of Registrar of Companies.

Board of Directors, Heladiv Tea, Accessed on 4 October 2018

Headlines



Meta Data

Sources



923 / 1471

http://www.island.lk/2010/05/30/features8.html


https://www.newsfirst.lk/2015/07/02/colombo-magistrate-permits-investigation-of-cse-transaction-irregularities/

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/06/11/tc/153450/think-positive-enjoy-your-profession

https://www.heladiv.com/about-us/board-of-directors/



About Us, Citrus Leisure PLC, Citrus Leisure PLC, Accessed on 6 August

2018

The George Steuart Company, Accessed on 6 August 2018

LinkedIn profile of Derana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited, Accessed

on 6 August, 2018


August 2018

LinkedIn profile of Varuni Amunugama Fernando, Accessed on 5 October

2018

Guide to Media 2017


Rajamahendran

Documents



924 / 1471

https://www.citrusleisure.com/about-us

http://www.georgesteuart.lk/our_people



https://www.linkedin.com/in/varuni-fernando-5b646114/?originalSubdomain=lk














925 / 1471







926 / 1471














99.4% 59.1% 39.6%

98% 100%



927 / 1471













Media Outlets

Facts

Business

Saudi Oger


Horizon Group


99.4% Radio 59.1% TV 39.6% Print




928 / 1471













Oger Telecom

Vero


Omnia Holdings


GroupMed

Bank Audi

BankMed

Arab Bank PLC

Med Gulf

Red Sea Ventures


Wave Holding

D.S. Holding



Radio Orient SAL


Annahar SAL

Telecommunications

Digital Media

Logistics

Chemicals

Banking

Insurance

Investment

Publishing



929 / 1471



Family & Friends

Further Information


The Daily Star SAL










Headlines



930 / 1471











November 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



931 / 1471








Lazhar Sta


MED TELECOM

Lazhar STA is a Tunisian businessman. As a partner of BelhassenTrabelsi, brother of former president Ben Ali's wife, Lazhar STA wasthe general manager of the company Carthage Cement.

The holding company BINA CROP of the Lazhar STA Group is amongthe Tunisian leaders in the construction materials market.

Lahar STA is shareholder of two radios, Mosaique FM and JawharaFM.


8% 13%



932 / 1471






Mosaïque FM mosaiquefm.net Jawhara FM

Jawharafm.net

Media Outlets

13% Radio 13% Online 8% Radio

8% Online



933 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/mosaique-fm/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/mosaiquefmnet/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/jawhara-fm/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/jawharafmnet/




Heirs of Aziz MiledAfter Aziz Miled died on November 7, 2012, his shares in all companies went to his heirs.

Aziz Miled, born in Kairouan in 1938, was a Tunisian businessman who worked since 1968 mainly in thetourism, hotel and aviation sectors.

In 2003, the airline company Nouvelair of Miled and Karthago Airlines of Belhassen Trabelsi, brother of the wifeof President Ben Ali, start working together in operational assistance and operating their fleets. In August 2006,Miled and Trabelsi ask the company Edmond de Rothschild to study the feasibility of a merger between the twoairlines. In the fall of 2008, the merger of the two companies is decided after reaching an agreement on thetransfer of social rights of both companies and the suspension of trading of Karthago Airlines at the Tunis StockExchange following a buyout offer.

Karthago owns 21% and the Miled Group 79% of the new company. The constituent general meeting of thecompany is held on 25 December 2009. As of 28 January 2011, Miled is again CEO of Nouvelair replacingTrabelsi who fled to Canada following the Tunisian 2011 Revolution.

Aziz Miled is also associated with other relatives of former President Ben Ali, namely Sakher El Materi, son-in-law of the President, at the Zitouna Bank and the Mabrouk group. One of the heirs is a Marouane another son-in-law of the president, who is at the first private bank of the country, the Banque Internationale Arabe deTunisie.

On the political level, Aziz Miled signed in 2010 two calls for a new candidacy of President Zine El Abidine BenAli (call of 65 and call of 1000). In 2009, he is member of the Central Committee of the DemocraticConstitutional Rally (RCD).



934 / 1471



SIDCO SICAR Société Jawhara des médias et destelecommunications

Jawhara FM Jawharafm.net


Media Outlets

? 8%

8% Radio 8% Online



935 / 1471









Noureddine Boutar

MED TELECOM

A trained journalist Noureddine Boutar is the CEO of the Radio.

He founded Mosaique FM with six other shareholders, among themthe son-in-law of former President Ben Ali, BelhassenTrabelsi

Boutar is the majority shareholder of the radio.


20.3%



936 / 1471





Mosaïque FM mosaiquefm.net

Media Outlets

20.3% Radio 20.3% Online



937 / 1471







Lotfi Abdennadher

MED TELECOM Addiwen de production audiovisuelle

Businessman active in the building materials and buildings industry.Owner of the ABC Abdennadher Group (about 12 companies) andshareholder of the Radio Mosaique FM, Lotfi Abdennadher is thepresident of Sfax Football Club (CSS).

He was close to the Trabelsi clan during the reign of Ben Ali and iscurrently head of Somocer.

Yassine Laamouri, manager of several companies of theAbdennadher Group, is the Chairman of Executive Board oft hecompany Addiwen de production audio visuelle, the company that manages the Radio Diwan FM

He manages the shares of Lotfi Abdennadher of Radio Diwan, while Abdennadher is listed personally as ashareholder of the Radio Mosaique FM.


13.3% 31%



938 / 1471







Mosaïque FM mosaiquefm.net Diwan FM

Media Outlets

13.3% Radio 13.3% Online 30.8% Radio



939 / 1471





https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/diwan-fm/



SIDCO SICAR ShareholdersInstitution of private equity in Central West, SIDCO was created in December 1991 in the form of a SICAF thentransformed into SICAR following the publication of Law No. 95-87 of 30 October 1995 establishing the SICAR. Itis now one of the oldest Tunisian venture capital companies. The SIDCO SICAR has 29 shareholders divided asfollows: 11 Financial Institutions: S.T.B

B.N.A.

U.B.C.I.

B.T.

B.T.K.

STB-SICAR

ID-SICAR

ATTIJARI BANK

B.T.S.

B.I.A.T.

B.H.

3 public institutions

OCT

C.N.S.S

Tunisian Chemical Group

15 Private individuals and legal entities

S.T.B.O.

S.T.B.N.



940 / 1471




Sabra FM

Abdelhamid KHECHINE Group

other private shareholders. It also includes the heirs of businessman Aziz Miled, shareholder of the radiosJawhara FM and Sabra FM, through SIDCO SICAR.


Media Outlets

Radio



941 / 1471


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/sabra-fm/



Jawhara FM Shareholders


Jawhara FM Jawharafm.net

The shareholders of the Radio Jawhara FM are a group of businessmen of the Sahel region, close to the Ben Aliregime who comes from the same region.


Media Outlets

Radio Online



942 / 1471








Famille Jamoussi


La famille Jamoussi détient le siège de la radio Diwan Fm et ses différents bureaux administratifs etcommerciaux. Mokhtar Jamoussi, sa femme Bayya Jamoussi et leurs enfants Chihem, Chakib, Ferdaous etChafik sont tous actionnaires de la radio. La famille détient 28% des parts de la société Addiwen en total.


28%



943 / 1471





Diwan FM

Media Outlets

28% Radio



944 / 1471




Diwan FM Shareholders


Among the 23 owners of the company Addiwen several family links are evident among shareholders.

As for the Jamoussi family, which owns the headquarters of the radio and its various administrative andcommercial offices, there is Jamoussi Mokhtar who is married to Bayya Jamoussi. They have two children whichare also shareholders of the company, Chihem Chakib and Ferdaous.

As for the Mseddi family, there is Mohamed Amine Abbes and his brother Abbes, managing director of theradio. Wadiia Mseddi is their uncle.

Regarding Yassine Laamouri, shareholder and chairman of the board of the company, he represents andmanages several companies of the Abdennadher Group of the businessman Lotfi Abdennadher. LotfiAbdennadher. Laamouri represents and manages the shares of the Abdennadher Group in the companyAddiwen.

As for Rim and Mohamed, with the same surname "Dhouib", the managing director of the radio, Mr. AbbesMseddi clarified that these two are not related.


41%



945 / 1471





Diwan FM

Media Outlets

Radio



946 / 1471




Sabra FM Shareholders


Sabra FM


Media Outlets

?

? Radio



947 / 1471





Amor Naggazi


CEO of the radio Sabra FM, journalist for Sabra FM, director of thefestival “Printemps de Kairouan” and vice-president of the football,team from Kairouan "Al Chabiba"


?



948 / 1471




Sabra FM

Media Outlets

Radio



949 / 1471




Mosaique FM Shareholders

MED TELECOM

Mosaïque FM mosaiquefm.net


Media Outlets

Radio Online



950 / 1471









The GovernmentWithin Sri Lanka’s post-independent landscape, a significant sectionof the media has been owned by the state. The AssociatedNewspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) is a state-owned publishinghouse, whereas the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) andthe Independent Television Network Limited (ITN) are state-ownedTV broadcasters. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka BroadcastingCorporation (SLBC) remains the official state-owned radiobroadcaster. In addition to having a direct foothold in mediaownership, the state also acts as a regulatory body in both print andelectronic media through the Sri Lanka Press Council (SLPC) and theTelecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC). These institutions, excluding the TRC and the SLRC, comeunder the purview of the Ministry of Mass Media. In 2019, the SLRC was brought under the Ministry of Defence.

In the print sector, the state holds a stake through ANCL, more commonly known as Lake House. Thisinstitution was established under the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited No. 35 of 1981. Prior to this, itwas a private entity formed by the Lake House Group. Presently, 87.56 percent of ANCL’s total number ofshares are vested in the Public Trustee on behalf of the government. The Public Trustee belongs to theDepartment of Public Trustees, which was established under the Public Trustee Ordinance No. 1 of 1922. Thisbody comes under the purview of the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms.

The earliest role of the state in electronic media was documented with the establishment of the SLBC. The SriLanka Broadcasting Corporation Act No. 37 of 1966 transformed the Department of Broadcasting (formerlyknown as Radio Ceylon) into a statutory corporation. The Act is further used by the Ministry to issue licences toprivate broadcasting stations. In relation to TV broadcasting, the SLRC was established under the Sri LankaRupavahini Corporation Act No. 6 of 1982. It is the official state-owned TV broadcasting service and the Act isused by the respective Minister to issue private TV broadcasting licences. However, the first TV broadcastingstation was a private venture by the Independent Television Network (ITN). The station was nationalised into astate-owned company. It currently operates under the purview of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act No.6 of 1982.

While SLRC is funded by taxpayer money, the main source of income of the SLRC and ITN is the sale of airtimefor sponsored programmes and commercials. In 2012, the SLRC Annual Report included a source by way of a‘government grant’ amounting to LKR 11 million. By contrast, the SLBC is heavily reliant on taxpayer moneyfunded by the Treasury (under the Ministry of Finance). Furthermore, the current framework grants excessivepowers of appointments and removal of board members to the Ministry over the aforementioned stateinstitutions. The lack of specification of qualifications and criteria for the appointment in the Acts possiblypermits the Ministry to occupy a more centralised role in the organisational structure.

Lastly, as per the state’s stake in regulatory bodies, the Sri Lanka Press Council Law No. 5 of 1973 set up theSLPC. In the past, this body was reportedly used as a tool of intimidation to investigate complaints against themedia, impose penalties and register newspapers. In 2015, after President Maithripala Sirisena came into



951 / 1471



ANCL SLBC SLRC

ITN

power he directly appointed the new members and re-activated the SLPC. On the other hand, the TRC wasestablished under the Telecommunications Act No. 25 of 1991 and issues licences for the frequencies ofbroadcasting services. Here too appointments made to the commission have a tendency to be heavilypoliticised. For instance, both Presidential Secretariats of the former and incumbent governments havepresided over the position of Chairperson to the TRC.


87.6% 100% 100%

100%



952 / 1471







Sunday Observer Silumina Independent Television Network(ITN)

Rupavahini Channel Eye / Nethra TV Vasantham TV

Thesiya FM News.lk Thinakaran.lk

Media Outlets

87.6% Print 87.6% Print 100% TV

TV TV 100% TV

Radio Online 87.6% Online



953 / 1471



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/silumina/



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/rupavahini/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/channel-eye-nethra-tv/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/vasantham-tv/









Dailynews.lk

Facts

Further Information

Conference on 20th anniversary of Colombo Declaration on Media

Freedom and Social Responsibility by the Daily FT (2018), Accessed on 22

September 2018

Slowdown of social media platforms as TRC starts monitoring content by

the Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed on 23 September 2018

FMM protests move to appoint board for Sri Lanka Press Council by the


Lake House ordered to pay Rs.500 million compensation by BBC Sinhala


Information on the government media outlets and regulation was available inofficial websites of the government as well as secondary sources. Theownership structure was gathered through the annual returns available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies.

Headlines



Meta Data

87.6% Online



954 / 1471



http://www.ft.lk/news/Conference-on-20th-anniversary-of-Colombo-Declaration-on-Media-Freedom-and-Social-Responsibility/56-663426

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1040233/slowdown-of-social-media-platforms-as-trc-starts-monitoring-content

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/07/13/local/156769/fmm-protests-move-appoint-board-sri-lanka-press-council?page=35

https://www.bbc.com/sinhala/news/story/2011/03/110323_wijedasa.shtml



Official website of the Independent Television Network Limited (ITN),


Official website of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, Accessed


Official website of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Accessed on 24

September 2018


September 2018

Official website of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri

Lanka, Accessed on 24 September 2018

Official website of the Sri Lanka Press Institute, Accessed on 24 September

2018


24 September 2018

Official website of the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms, Accessed on

24 September 2018

Mr. Austin Fernando, Secretary to the President is the new president of

the TRC (2014), Accessed on 24 September 2018

Public media or public media organisations in Sri Lanka? by Lanka

Business Online (2015), Accessed on 24 September 2018

Annual Report of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation for 2012

Sources

Documents



955 / 1471

http://www.itn.lk/en/about-us/


http://www.slbc.lk/


http://www.trc.gov.lk/

http://slpc.lk/

https://www.media.gov.lk/

https://www.moj.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28&Itemid=175&lang=en

http://www.trc.gov.lk/2014-05-13-13-23-17/press-room/661-mr-austin-fernando-secretary-to-the-president-is-the-new-chairman-of-trcsl.html

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/public-media-or-public-media-organizations-in-sri-lanka/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5940&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=cdc2ad11d21b4a040832cc3a529a2788



Media Companies

Akhbar Beirut SAL Al Jadeed SAL Al Joumhouria NewsCorp SAL

Al Mada Group SARL

The four major companies – from a national perspective – have a weighted audience share of 86.7% across TV,radio, and print across the country. However, there is no media company that cross-owns outlets between theaudiovisual and the print sectors. Some major owners, nevertheless, are present across sectors. The onlyobvious cross-ownership is between the audiovisual and online sectors on the one hand, and the print andonline sectors on the other hand. Most TV stations have websites that reproduce the content of what isbroadcast but also have their separate editorial teams and exclusive web content. The same applies to somenewspapers, including Annahar, L’Orient-Le Jour, The Daily Star, Al-Akhbar, and Al-Joumhouria, which havededicated teams for their online platforms that often publish web-only content.

Apart from the state-owned media outlets, all media companies are privately owned. Most of them areregistered as Joint Stock Company (Société anonyme libanaise / ل.م.ش .) or Limited Liability Company (Société àresponsabilité limitée/ م.م.ش .). Some media outlets are not associated with a media company, as they areindividually owned companies or because ,(e.g. Bint Jbeil, Lebanon Debate, Al Kalima Online, or El-Shark) (تاجر)they are parts of an association (Law of 1909) (e.g. Ya Sour, Tayyar.org or Lebanese-Forces.com).

Most of the companies were created as legal entities of the media outlet they own and do not own other mediaoutlets. The Lebanese Communication Group L.C.G. SAL (Al-Manar and Al-Nour), Al Jadeed SAL (Al-Jadeed and AlJadeed 90.3 FM), and the National Broadcasting Network SAL (NBN and Al-Risala Radio) are the only companiesin the media selection operating in more than one audiovisual media sector.



956 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/







https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//lebanese-state/











Al-Nahda SAL Al-Sharika Al-Alamiya lilBath (Shaab) SAL

Al-Sharika Al-Qawmiyalil-I'lam SARL


Annahar SAL Arab United Press CorpSAL

Dar Al-Liwaa for Pressand Publishing SAL

ElNashra.com SARL

Future Television SAL Lebanese BroadcastingCorporation

International SAL

LebaneseCommunication Group

L.C.G. SAL

Liban Libre pour laProduction et la

Diffusion SAL

Lubnan 24 SAL MTV SAL National BroadcastingNetwork (NBN) SAL

Noursat SAL



957 / 1471



































Radio Orient SAL Société Générale dePresse et d'Édition SAL

Société Moderned'Information SAL

Société Nouvelled'Information

Audiovisuelle SAL

Statistics Lebanon SARL Télé Liban SAL Télé-Lumière SAL The Daily Star SAL



958 / 1471



















Société Générale de Presse etd'Édition SALThe Société Générale de Presse et d’Édition SAL owns L’Orient-Le Jour newspaper. In 2009, it was granteda license to issue a weekly, non-political francophone publication called L’Orient-Le Jour-Junior-Les Copainsmanaged by Zéna Zalzal. It also publishes the economic magazine Le Commerce du Levant.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private

Public Limited Company (Société anonyme libanaise)

Société Générale de Presse et d'Édition SAL is operating in the newspaperpublishing sector.



959 / 1471




L’Orient-Le Jour

Ownership

Individual OwnerEddé Family

Michel Edde (38.03%)Michel Helou (0.005% - grandson,Executive Director)Salim Helou (0.005% - grandson)

38%

Choueiri Family

The Choueiri family through the ChoueiriGroup.

22.6%

Pharaon Family

Michel Pharaon (2.57% - current Ministerof State for Planning)Nayla De Freige (1.65% - sister)Pharaon Holding SAL (11%)Libano-Suisse Insurance Consulting (0.2% -owned by the Pharaons)

15.4%

Media Outlets

Print



960 / 1471











Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets

Other Online Outlets

L’Orient-Le Jour (3.1%)


L'Orient Litteraire

Website

Facts

General Information


1971

Pierre Edde, former Lebanese MP and Minister;Ghassan Tueni, veteran Lebanese journalist, politician and diplomat;Georges Naccache is a former Minister

Missing Data

L'Orient-Le Jour buildingDamascus International roadHazmieh (Baabda) P.O.Box 45-254LebanonPhone + 961 (5) 956 444

www.lorientlejour.com

Commercial Registry number: 25962 (Beirut)

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number



961 / 1471


http://https//www.lorientlejour.com/




Management

Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Revenue (Financial Data/Optional)



Michel Eddé (CEO)

Nayla de Freige (Deputy CEO)

Michel Hélou (Executive Director)

Marwan Hamadé (Minister of Education and MP)

Henri Tyan

Rizk Iskandar Rizk

Salim Hélou

Issa Goraieb

Nayla de Freige (see above)

Najib Aoun

Michel Pharaon (Minister of State for Planning, former MP)

Choueiri Group (90% of the shares are owned by the Choueiri family)Further Information.

Executive Board



962 / 1471





باسم الفرنسية باللغة سياسية، غير أسبوعية، مطبوعة بإصدار الترخيص L’ORIENT LE JOUR-

JUNIOR-LES COPAINS. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



963 / 1471

http://www.legallaw.ul.edu.lb/LawView.aspx?opt=view&LawID=222676



Lebanese Broadcasting CorporationInternational SALThe Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International SAL ownsLBCI whose chairman is Pierre Daher. The shareholders' listincludes Bassam Antoine Yammine, Pierre Youssef Daher, DaniNabil Boustany, Rima Saad Nicovich, Salaheddine Nizam Osseiran,Issam Mikhael Fares, Fadi Nabil Boustany, Kabalan AntoineYammine, Majed Nabil Boustany, Maroun Oscar Jazzar, MarcelYoussef Daher, Marwan Salim Kheireddine, Nasser Georges Issa,Nijad Issam Fares, Roula Camil Saad, Randa Camil Jabbour Saad,Investcom SAL (Holding), Telejour SAL (Holding), Middle East MediaHolding (M.E.M.) SAL, Monitor Holding, World Media Group SAL andMalia Holding.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private

Joint Stock Company (Société anonyme libanaise)

Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International SAL is operating in TVbroadcasting.



964 / 1471





LBCI

Ownership

Individual OwnerDaher-Saad Family

Pierre Youssef El Daher (9%)Rima Saad Nikolitch (10% - sister-in-law)

Marcel Youssef El Daher (10% - brother)Roula Camille Saad (10% - sister-in-law)Iman Saad Issa El Khoury (6.6% - sister-in-law)Randa Camille Saad (1% - wife)World Media Group SAL (2%)

Monitor Holding (2%)

50.6%

Issam Fares

Former Deputy Prime Minister Issam Faresand his son Najad each own 10%

20%

Maroun Jazzar 4.4%

Media Outlets

TV



965 / 1471










Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (41.7%)


Facts

Media Business

Business

LBCI

LBCI 4K

LB2

LBCI News

LBCI HD

Television Broadcasting



LDC

LBC Europe

LBC America

LBC Australia

LBC Asia

LBC Europe




966 / 1471



General Information


Management

1992

Pierre Daher, Lebanese businessman

Missing Data

LBCI building,Street no. 2, Yellow zoneAdma & Dafneh (Kesrouane) P.O.Box 111LebanonPhone + 961 (9) 850 850

www.lbcgroup.tv

Commercial Registry number: 41685 (Mount Lebanon)

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Pierre Daher (CEO)

Randa Saad (Deputy CEO)

Executive Board



967 / 1471

http://https//www.lbcgroup.tv/




Further Information

Maroun Jazzar

Salah Osseiran

Imane Saad Issa el-Khoury

Marcel Daher

Roula Saad

Middle East Media Holding (Owned by Georges, Elias and Daniel Kanaan)Further Information.

Téléjour Holding (jointly owned by Minister of State for Planning MichelPharaon and former Minister Michel Eddé)

Further Information.

World Media Group SAL (owned by the Daher-Saad family)Further Information.


LBC Group’s Official Website. Accessed on September 28, 2018

LBCI SAL. Accessed on November 14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



968 / 1471




https://www.lbcgroup.tv/about-lbci/ar

https://lb.kompass.com/c/lebanese-broadcasting-corporation-international-sal/lb000393//



Future Television SALFuture Television SAL was created in 1993 and owns the Future TVstation. It Is linked to the Future movement led by Prime MinisterSaad Hariri. It is chaired by Hani Hammoud. Other prominentboard members are Ghaleb Chammaa and Nader Hariri.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Future Television SAL is operating in TV broadcasting.



969 / 1471







Future TV

Ownership

Individual OwnerHariri Family

Ayman Hariri (10% - brother)Bahia Hariri (10% - aunt)Bahaeddine Hariri (0.8% - brother)Fahd Hariri (8.34% - brother)Nazek Hariri (10% - step mother)Walid Shafik Hariri (10% - cousin)

59.1%

Hani Hammoud 10%

Ghaleb Chammaa 10%

Media Outlets

TV



970 / 1471










Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


Future TV (12.6%)


Facts

General Information


1996


Missing Data

White House buildingSpears streetSanayeh sectorBeirut P.O.Box 13-6052LebanonPhone: + 961 1370700

futuretvnetwork.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data





971 / 1471

http://http//futuretvnetwork.com/




Management

Further Information

Missing DataAdvertising (in % of totalfunding)

Hani Hammoud (CEO)

Ramzi Jbeily (Deputy CEO)

Nader Hariri. He is the son of MP Bahia Hariri and a former chief of staff ofPrime Minister Saad Hariri. He is listed on the owners' list without formallyholding any share.

Ghaleb Chammaa

Executive Board


Future TV SAL. Accessed on November 14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



972 / 1471

https://lb.kompass.com/c/future-television-s-a-l/lb002741/



Noursat SALNoursat was launched in 2003 and its executive director is Raymond Nader. It is the sister company of TéléLumière SAL, broadcasting via satellite.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Noursat SAL is operating in TV broadcasting

Ownership

Individual OwnerKallassi Family 33%

Frem Family 30%

Nassar Family 15%



973 / 1471










Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets Télé Lumière and Noursat (0%)

Facts

General Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

2nd floor, Dora Commercial CenterOff Dora highwayBauchrieh (Metn) P.O.Box 1551LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 255 001

noursat.tv/ar/index.php

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

TV



974 / 1471



http://http//noursat.tv/ar/index.php





Management

Further Information

Commercial Registry number: 2004587 (Mount Lebanon)Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Jacques Kallassi (Chairman & General Manager)

Neemat Frem (Member of Parliament)

Antoine Saad

Raymond Nader

Roula Nassar (Official Signatory)

Georges Moawad

Executive Board


Noursat’s Official Website.



Meta Data

Sources



975 / 1471






976 / 1471



Télé-Lumière SALTélé-Lumière SAL was founded in 1991 and owns Télé Lumièreand Noursat. The executive director is Ronald Abou Jaoude andthe board of directors includes Sana Nasr, Jack Kallassi, RoulaNasr, Neemat Frem and Georges Mouawad.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Télé-Lumière SAL is operating in TV broadcasting



977 / 1471







Ownership

Individual OwnerFrem Family 15%

Nassar Family 10%

Gebran Tohmé 8.2%

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets


Facts

TV



978 / 1471











General Information


Management

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Bishop Roland Abou Jaoudeh (CEO)

Bishop Antoine Nabil Andari (Deputy CEO)

Neemat Frem (Deputy CEO, Member of Parliament)

Antoine Abdo Saad (Secretary)

Executive Board



979 / 1471





Further Information

Georges Moawad

Roula Nassar Khoury

Sarkis Sarkis

Brother Nour (Executive Director)

Karim Abdallah

Abboud Boghoss

Tony Dib

Jack Kallassi (General Manager)

Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rai - Honorary President and Patriarch of theMaronite Church since 2011

Supervisory Board





Meta Data

Sources



980 / 1471




Lebanese Communication GroupL.C.G. SALThe Lebanese Communication Group is the company set up byHezbollah to operate the broadcast licenses for its media outlets AlManar TV and Al Nour radio.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Lebanese Communication Group L.C.G. SAL is operating in radio & TVbroadcasting.

Ownership




981 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb

www.alahednews.com.lb

Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



982 / 1471








Management

The Hezbollah, a Shi'a Islamist political party and militant group based inLebanon

Missing Data

Al-Manar building,Al-Arid streetHaret Hreik (Baabda) P.O.Box 25-354Lebanon


Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Ibrahim Farhat (CEO)

Abdallah Kassir (former MP)

Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein

Mohammad Haidar (former MP)

Executive Board



983 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



984 / 1471



Alubnaniah lil Ilam SALAlubnaniah lil Ilam SAL was founded in 2006. It is headed by RoyHachem and owns the license to broadcast OTV. In 2017, it wasgranted a license to raise its capital from 750,000,000 LBP (about500 000 US$) to 4,800,000,000 LBP (about 3,533,000 US$) and itsshares from 30,000 to 192,000. Current and new shareholders werealso allowed to subscribe.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Alubnaniah lil Ilam SAL is operating in TV broadcasting

Ownership

Individual OwnerAoun Family

Lebanon President Michel Aoun (10%)Claudine Aoun (10% - daughter)Mireille Aoun (9% - daughter)Chantal Aoun (9% - daughter)Gebran Bassil (1% - son in law )Roy Hachem (10% - son in law)Pierre Selwan (10% - nephew)

50%



985 / 1471






OTV

Joseph El ZoghbyJoseph El Zoghby is also a member of the board of OTV Holding. OTV Holding(see OTV Media profile).

10%

Assad GeitaniAssad Geitani is a Lebanese businessman, owning shares in OTV Holding SAL(see OTV Media profile).

10%

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


OTV (16.4%)


TV



986 / 1471




Facts

General Information


Management

2006

Michel Aoun, current President. He founded the company with his children(daughters- and sons-in-law)

Missing Data

OTV building,Dr. Youssef Hajjar street, Kalaa areaSin El-Fil (Metn) P.O.Box 90-2091LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 517 050OTV Website


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Roy Hachem (CEO & General Manager)Executive Board



987 / 1471




Further Information

Grebran Bassil, President of the Free Patrotic Movement and Minister ofForeign Affairs and Emigrants.

Nada Abou Jaoudeh


OTV’s Official Website.

ل.م.ش لإلعالم اللبنانية الشركة رأسمال رفع . {OTV} جدد ومساهمين حاليين مساهمين وإكتتاب ..

Accessed on November 14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



988 / 1471


http://legallaw.ul.edu.lb/LawView.aspx?opt=view&LawID=270189/



Akhbar Beirut SALAl Akhbar's first issue was published on August 14, 2006 by themedia company Akhbar Beirut, after acquiring the license for anewspaper also named Al-Akhbar that was founded in 1953.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Akhbar Beirut SAL is operating in the newspaper publishing sector.



989 / 1471



Al-Akhbar

Ownership

Individual OwnerIbrahim Al Amine

Ibrahim Al Amine owns 36.4% of AkhbarBeirut SAL directly and 7.4% through hisownership of 59.7% of Akhbar BeirutHolding.

43.8%

Youssef Wehbi

Youssef Wehbi owns a total of 34.8%;29.9% directly and 5% through hisownership of 40% of Akhbar BeirutHolding.

34.8%


MP Moustafa El Husseini (66.6%)Firas (16.6% - son)Dima (16.6% - daughter)

18.8%

Media Outlets

Print



990 / 1471











Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Al Akhbar (7.8%)

www.al-akhbar.com/

https://english.al-akhbar.com/

Facts

General Information


Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

6th floor, Concorde square, Verdun center,Dunant street, Snoubra sectorBeirutLebanonPhone : +961 (1) 759 597

www.al-akhbar.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data





991 / 1471

http://https//www.al-akhbar.com/




Management

Further Information


Ibrahim Al-Amine (CEO)

Youssef Wehbi

Executive Board


Kompass Profile Akhbar Beirut Sal. Accessed on 26 October 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



992 / 1471

http:// https://lb.kompass.com/c/akhbar-beirut-sal/lb012328/



Al Jadeed SALAl Jadeed SAL owns the TV station Al Jadeed whose chairman isTahseen Khayat and it is part of Tahseen Khayat Group. In 2014,Tahseen Khayat’s daughter, Karma, and Al Jadeed SAL were chargedby The Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon (trying thesuspects in Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination) of knowinglyand willfully interfering with the administration of justice, after Al-Jadeed broadcast five reports entitled “The Witnesses of theInternational Tribunal”. In 2016, they were cleared of all charges.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Al Jadeed SAL is operating in TV broadcasting



993 / 1471





Al-Jadeed

Ownership

Individual OwnerKhayat Family

Tahseen Khayat (10%)Bouchra Khayat (10% - daughter)Ghida Khayat (8.13% - daughter)Nadia Khayat (10% - daughter)Karma Khayat (10% - daughter)Karim Khayat (10% - son)

58.1%

Safa Al Khoury 10%


Media Outlets

TV



994 / 1471










Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Jadeed (35.6)

Al Jadeed FM (90.3 FM)

fm.aljadeed.tv

Facts

General Information


1990


Missing Data

Al Jadeed TV buildingJabal Al-Arab street, Wata SectorBeirut P.O.Box 11-5858LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 830 630

www.tahseenkhayatgroup.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data





995 / 1471

http://http//www.tahseenkhayatgroup.com//




Management

Further Information


Tahseen Khayat Family (CEO)

Amar Holding Company

Ghaleb Farha

Saadallah Mazraani (Deputy-Secretary General of the Lebanese CommunistParty)

Abdallah Zakhem

Emile Kanaan

Rida Ismail

Bouchra Khayat

Nizar Younes

Executive Board


Tahseen Khayat Group. Accessed on November 14, 2018.

Al Jadeed S.A.L. & Ms Khayat (STL-14-05). Accessed on November 14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



996 / 1471

http://www.tahseenkhayatgroup.com//

https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/the-cases/contempt-cases/stl-14-05



Al Joumhouria News Corp SALAl Joumhouria News Corp SAL was created in 2011 as part of theMurr Group. It owns Al Joumhouria newspaper and its chairmanis Michel Elias Murr.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Al Joumhouria News Corp SAL is operating in the political publishing sector.

Ownership

Individual OwnerMichel Elias Murr Family

Elias Michel Murr (36.17% - son)Michel Elias Murr (36.17% - grandson)Group Murr SAL Holding (3.3%)Al Joumhouria News Corp Pan-Arab SALHolding (20%)Al Sharika Al Lubnania lil Idara walMoussahama SAL (3.3%)

99%



997 / 1471







Al Joumhouria

Edouard SaadehMissing Data 1%

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Al Joumhouria (9.6%)

www.aljoumhouria.com/

Facts

General Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Founding Year

Founder

Print



998 / 1471






Management

Further Information

Missing Data

Al Amara building,Off highwayZalka (Metn) P.O.Box 90-152LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 888 051

www.aljoumhouria.com


Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Michel Elias Murr (CEO)

Elias Michel Murr

Executive Board




Meta Data



999 / 1471

http://http//www.aljoumhouria.com/




Newspaper’s Official Page. Accessed on October 10, 2018.Sources



1000 / 1471




Al Mada Group SARLAl Mada Group SAL owns the Sawt El Mada station, which wasfounded in 2009 and obtained its license that same year. StateMinister Pierre Raffoul of the Free Patriotic Movement has beenthe executive director of the radio station since its inception.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private

Limited Liability Company

Al Mada Group SARL is operating in radio broadcasting.

Ownership


Fawzi MoutranFawzi Moutran is a Lebanese lawyer 1%



1001 / 1471


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//free-patriotic-movement/





Sawt El Mada

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Sawt El Mada (9.3%)

www.almada.org

Facts

General Information

2009

Elias Bou Saab, former Minister of Education (2014-2016) and a member ofParliament (since 2018)

Missing Data

Mtaileb28 Street, Matn, LEBANON

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Radio



1002 / 1471





Management

Further Information


Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Elias Bou Saab (Co-founder and General Manager; MP and former Minister ofEducation)

Fawzi Moutran (Co-founder and partner)

Executive Board


Radio’s Official Page.



Meta Data

Sources



1003 / 1471




Al-Nahda SALAl-Nahda is a private company established in 1987. It is the company that owns the Addiyar newspaper. Ithas around 250 employees.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Al-Nahda SAL is operating in the newspaper publishing sector.

Ownership





1004 / 1471








Addiyar

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Addiyar (6.6%)


Facts

General Information

1998

Charles Ayoub, Lebanese journalist

around 250

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Print



1005 / 1471






Management

Further Information

Al-Nahda buildingYarzeh areaBaabda (Baabda)P.O.Box 40-300LebanonPhone: +961 (5) 923774

www.addiyar.com


Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Charles Ayoub (CEO)

Odette Ayoub

Antoine Ayoub

Executive Board




Meta Data



1006 / 1471

http://https//www.addiyar.com//




Kompass Profile Al-Nahda SAL. Accessed on 23 November 2018.Sources



1007 / 1471

https://www.kompass.com/fr/z/lb/c/al-nahda-sal/lb000496/



Al-Sharika Al-Alamiya lil Bath(Shaab) SALAl-Sharika Al-Alamiya lil Bath (Shaab) SAL owns the Sawt El-Shaab radio station, which was founded by the LebaneseCommunist Party in 1987 as a partisan, commercial radio inLebanon. It obtained its license in 1996.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Al-Sharika Al-Alamiya lil Bath (Shaab) SAL is operating in radio broadcasting.

Ownership

Individual OwnerLebanese Communist Party

Most of the shareholders are eithermembers of the Communist Party orformer members of the Party. There are42 shareholders and the ones still directlyaffiliated to the Party hold 90.87 % of theshares.

?



1008 / 1471



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//lebanese-communist-party/






Sawt El Shaab

Media Outlets

Facts

General Information


1987

The Lebanese Communist Party through four of its members: Adib Nehme, AliSaab, Hanna Saleh, and Mamoun Abou Chakra

Missing Data

NewTV & Sawt Al-Shaab building,Jabal Al-Arab street, Wata sectorBeirut P.O.Box 14-5425LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 311 809

sawtachaab.com/web/index.php/site/index


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Radio



1009 / 1471



http://http//sawtachaab.com/web/index.php/site/index




Management

Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Nabil Fawaz (CEO)

Saad Al-Masri

Nadim Alaeddine

Ali Salman

Elias Fadel

Joseph Bou Akl

Executive Board





Meta Data

Sources



1010 / 1471




Al-Sharika Al-Qawmiya lil-I'lamSARLAl-Sharika Al-Qawmiyah lil I’lam SARL publishes Al Binaa newspaper that was founded in 1958. It is alignedwith the Syrian Social Nationalist Party.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private

Limited Liability Company (SARL)

Al-Sharika Al-Qawmiya lil-I'lam SARL is operating in the newspaper publishingsector.

Ownership

Individual OwnerSyrian Social Nationalist Party

Three officials of the the Syrian SocialNationalist Party (SSNP) formally own thecompany on behalf of the actual party:Toufic Mhanna (33.3% - Vice-President ofthe Party)Nabil Feghali (33.3% - member of theParty's Higher Council)Gebran Oreiji (33.3% - former President ofthe Party)

100%



1011 / 1471







Al-Binaa

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Al-Binaa (0.3%)


Facts

General Information

2001

Missing Data

Missing Data

Phone + 961 (1) 748 920

www.al-binaa.com

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Print



1012 / 1471


http://https//www.al-binaa.com/





Management

Further Information

Commercial Registry number: 77332 (Beirut)Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Wael Hassanieh (General Manager)

Toufic Mhanna (Partner)

Nabil Feghali (Partner)

Gebran Oreiji (Partner)

Executive Board


Al Binaa Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1013 / 1471





Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership



50%



1014 / 1471






OTV


10%


10%

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


OTV (16.4%)


TV



1015 / 1471




Facts

General Information


Management

2006


Missing Data



Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data







1016 / 1471




Further Information


Nada Abou Jaoudeh







Meta Data

Sources



1017 / 1471





Annahar SALAnnahar SAL is headed by Nayla Tuéni and publishes the Annaharnewspaper.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Annahar SAL is operating in the newspaper publishing sector.



1018 / 1471






Annahar

Ownership

Individual OwnerTueni Family

Members of the Tueni family ( 20.62%)Current Education Minister MarwanHamade - the uncle of the Tueni children(0.15%)The Nadia Tueni Foundation (2.2%)

22.9%

Hariri Family

The Hariri family owns 99.9% of the Al MalInvestment Co. SAL Holding, which holds39.6% of Annahar SAL.

39.6%

Ali Ghandour 1.7%

Media Outlets

Print



1019 / 1471











Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Annahar (9.4%)

http://www.annahar.com

Facts

General Information


Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

An-Nahar building,Martyrs' square, Marfa' sectorBeirut P.O.Box 11-226LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 994 888

www.annahar.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






1020 / 1471





Management

Further Information

Nayla Tuéni (CEO)

Michelle Tuéni (Deputy General Manager)

Khalil Chammas (Deputy General Manager)

Imad Tuéni

Ali Ghandour

Ziad Tuéni

Nader Hariri

Walid Sabaa Ayon

Al-Mal Investment Holding (99.94% of the shares are owned by the Haririfamily)

Nadia Tuéni Foundation

Executive Board


Annahar Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1021 / 1471




Arab United Press Corp SALA private company established in 1999, for publishing and distribution of newspapers, Arab United Press CorpSA is connected to Prime Minister'Saad Hariri's Future Movement; Hani Hammoud is the General Manager.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Arab United Press Corp SAL is operating in the newspaper publishing sector.

Ownership


Saad Hariri (18.86%)Nazek Hariri (12.13% - step mother)Bahaaeddine Hariri (19.86% - brother)Ayman Hariri (18.86% - brother)Hind (9.43% - sister)Fahd Hariri (18.86% - brother)

98%



1022 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//hani-hammoud/





Al Mustaqbal

OthersOthers are four political advisors and business partners of Saad Hariri:Hani Hammoud (0.66%)Rafik Nakib (0.66% - fomer CEO of Al Mustaqbal)Daoud Sayegh (0.33%)Mohammad Sammak (0.33%)

2%

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Al Mustaqbal (3%)

https://almustaqbal.com/

Facts

Print



1023 / 1471





General Information


Management

1990


Missing Data

Spears streetSanayeh sectorBeirut P.O.Box 14-5426LebanonPhone : +961 (1) 746302

almustaqbal.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Hani Hammoud (CEO)

Daoud Sayegh

Mohammad Sammak

Executive Board



1024 / 1471

http://https//almustaqbal.com/

https://almustaqbal.com/



Further Information


Arab United Press Company SAL. Accessed on 26 October 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1025 / 1471

https://www.zawya.com/mena/en/company/Arab_United_Press_Company_SAL-1005170/



Dar Al-Liwaa for Press andPublishing SALDar Al-Liwaa for Press and Publishing SAL publishes a dailypolitical newspaper, Al-Liwaa newspaper that deals with Arab,regional, and international affairs.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Dar Al-Liwaa For Press and Publishing SAL is operating in the newspaperpublishing sector.

Ownership

Individual OwnerSalam Family

Salah Salam (0.33%)Najwa Salam (0.33% - wife)Nadine Salam (33.13% - daughter)Sirine Salam (33.1% - daughter)Nisrine Salam (33.1% - daughter)

100%



1026 / 1471






Al-Liwaa

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Al-Liwaa (1.8%)


Facts

General Information

1963

Abdel Ghani Salam, Lebanese writer

Missing Data

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Print



1027 / 1471





Management

Further Information

2nd floor, Saradar buildingIndependence street, Zarif sectorBeirut P.O.Box 11-2402LebanonPhone: +961 (1) 751 000

aliwaa.com.lb


Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Salah Salam (CEO)

Najwa Salam

Nadine Salam

Executive Board




Meta Data



1028 / 1471

http://http//aliwaa.com.lb/




Kompass Profile Al-Liwaa for Press & Publishing SAL. Accessed on 26

October 2018.

Sources



1029 / 1471

https://lb.kompass.com/c/dar-al-liwaa-for-press-publishing-sal/lb013294/



ElNashra.com SARLElNashra.com SARL owns El Nashra, an independent news websiteowned by Arz El Murr and his family.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


ElNashra.com SARL is operating in online publishing.

Ownership

Individual OwnerArz El Murr Family

Arz El Murr (25%)Magda El Murr (25% - wife)Malek El Murr (25% - son)Aya EL Murr (25% - daughter)

100%



1030 / 1471







El-Nashra

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Online Outlets https://www.elnashra.com/

Facts

General Information

2012

Arz El Murr

Missing Data

Forn El Shebbak, 2242 Chiayah


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Online



1031 / 1471





Management

Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Arz El-Murr (Founder and Managing Director)

Magda Hajj

Malek El-Murr

Aya El-Murr

Executive Board


Website’s Official Page.



Meta Data

Sources



1032 / 1471




Future Television SALFuture Television SAL was created in 1993 and owns the Future TVstation. It Is linked to the Future movement led by Prime MinisterSaad Hariri. It is chaired by Hani Hammoud. Other prominentboard members are Ghaleb Chammaa and Nader Hariri.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Future Television SAL is operating in TV broadcasting.



1033 / 1471







Future TV

Ownership


Ayman Hariri (10% - brother)Bahia Hariri (10% - aunt)Bahaeddine Hariri (0.8% - brother)Fahd Hariri (8.34% - brother)Nazek Hariri (10% - step mother)Walid Shafik Hariri (10% - cousin)

59.1%

Hani Hammoud 10%

Ghaleb Chammaa 10%

Media Outlets

TV



1034 / 1471










Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


Future TV (12.6%)


Facts

General Information


1996


Missing Data

White House buildingSpears streetSanayeh sectorBeirut P.O.Box 13-6052LebanonPhone: + 961 1370700

futuretvnetwork.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data





1035 / 1471

http://http//futuretvnetwork.com/




Management

Further Information


Hani Hammoud (CEO)

Ramzi Jbeily (Deputy CEO)

Nader Hariri. He is the son of MP Bahia Hariri and a former chief of staff ofPrime Minister Saad Hariri. He is listed on the owners' list without formallyholding any share.

Ghaleb Chammaa

Executive Board


Future TV SAL. Accessed on November 14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1036 / 1471

https://lb.kompass.com/c/future-television-s-a-l/lb002741/



Lebanese Broadcasting CorporationInternational SALThe Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International SAL ownsLBCI whose chairman is Pierre Daher. The shareholders' listincludes Bassam Antoine Yammine, Pierre Youssef Daher, DaniNabil Boustany, Rima Saad Nicovich, Salaheddine Nizam Osseiran,Issam Mikhael Fares, Fadi Nabil Boustany, Kabalan AntoineYammine, Majed Nabil Boustany, Maroun Oscar Jazzar, MarcelYoussef Daher, Marwan Salim Kheireddine, Nasser Georges Issa,Nijad Issam Fares, Roula Camil Saad, Randa Camil Jabbour Saad,Investcom SAL (Holding), Telejour SAL (Holding), Middle East MediaHolding (M.E.M.) SAL, Monitor Holding, World Media Group SAL andMalia Holding.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International SAL is operating in TVbroadcasting.



1037 / 1471





LBCI

Ownership

Individual OwnerDaher-Saad Family

Pierre Youssef El Daher (9%)Rima Saad Nikolitch (10% - sister-in-law)

Marcel Youssef El Daher (10% - brother)Roula Camille Saad (10% - sister-in-law)Iman Saad Issa El Khoury (6.6% - sister-in-law)Randa Camille Saad (1% - wife)World Media Group SAL (2%)

Monitor Holding (2%)

50.6%

Issam Fares

Former Deputy Prime Minister Issam Faresand his son Najad each own 10%

20%

Maroun Jazzar 4.4%

Media Outlets

TV



1038 / 1471










Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (41.7%)


Facts

Media Business

Business

LBCI

LBCI 4K

LB2

LBCI News

LBCI HD




LDC

LBC Europe

LBC America

LBC Australia

LBC Asia

LBC Europe




1039 / 1471



General Information


Management

1992

Pierre Daher, Lebanese businessman

Missing Data

LBCI building,Street no. 2, Yellow zoneAdma & Dafneh (Kesrouane) P.O.Box 111LebanonPhone + 961 (9) 850 850

www.lbcgroup.tv


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Pierre Daher (CEO)

Randa Saad (Deputy CEO)

Executive Board



1040 / 1471

http://https//www.lbcgroup.tv/




Further Information

Maroun Jazzar

Salah Osseiran

Imane Saad Issa el-Khoury

Marcel Daher

Roula Saad

Middle East Media Holding (Owned by Georges, Elias and Daniel Kanaan)Further Information.

Téléjour Holding (jointly owned by Minister of State for Planning MichelPharaon and former Minister Michel Eddé)


World Media Group SAL (owned by the Daher-Saad family)Further Information.


LBC Group’s Official Website. Accessed on September 28, 2018

LBCI SAL. Accessed on November 14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1041 / 1471




https://www.lbcgroup.tv/about-lbci/ar

https://lb.kompass.com/c/lebanese-broadcasting-corporation-international-sal/lb000393//




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1042 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1043 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1044 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1045 / 1471



Liban Libre pour la Production et laDiffusion SALRadio Liban Libre was founded in 1978 by a decision of BachirGemayel, the founder of the Lebanese Forces who was electedPresident of the Lebanese Republic in 1982 but was assassinatedbefore taking office. RLL obtained its license in 1996 and is currentlyconsidered one of the Lebanese Forces’ media outlets.

The company Liban Libre pour la Production et la Diffusion SAL wasestablished in 1996 and was granted the license to operate RLL asper the Audiovisual Media Law No. 382 of 1994.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Liban Libre pour la Production et la Diffusion SAL is operating in radiobroadcasting.

Ownership

Individual OwnerLebanese Forces

The Lebanese Forces present themselvesas the owners of the company. However,while at least 76% of the shareholders aremembers of the party, the othershareholders' political affiliations couldnot be identified.

?



1046 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//lebanese-forces/







Radio Liban Libre

Media Outlets

Facts

General Information


1996

The Lebanese Forces, a Lebanese Christian based political party and formermilitia

Missing Data

Loubnan El-Horr buildingMain road, Adonis areaZouk Mosbeh (Kesrouane) P.O.Box 110LebanonPhone + 961 (9) 225 577

www.rll.com.lb


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Radio



1047 / 1471







Management

Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Edgar Majdalani (CEO)

Elie Khalil

Executive Board



Liban Libre pour la Production et la Diffusion SAL. Accessed on November

14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1048 / 1471


https://www.kompass.com/fr/z/lb/c/liban-libre-pour-la-production-la-diffusion-sal/lb004495/



Lubnan 24 SALLebanon 24 SAL is a Lebanese company owned by the Mikatifamily through their ownership of Investcom Holding SAL.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Lebanon 24 SAL is the sole owning entity of the Lebanon24 website.

Ownership

Individual OwnerMikati Family

The Mikati Family owns Investcom HoldingSAL that owns 99.9% of Lebanon24 SAL.Investcom shareholding:Najib Mikati (49% - former PM)Taha Mikati (48.5% - brother)Maher Mikati (1% - son)Azmi Mikati (1% - nephew)

99.9%



1049 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//mikati-family/






Lebanon 24

Fares GemayelGemayel was political advisor to former Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

0.3%

Khaldoun SharifSharif was a political advisor to former Prime Minister Najib Mikati

0.3%

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Online Outlets https://www.lebanon24.com

Facts

Online



1050 / 1471




General Information


Management

2011

Samir Mirza, Naam Kawas, Joe Issa El Khoury: all founders are close to theMikati family

Missing Data

Phone + 961 (1) 317 773

www.lebanon24.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Khaldoun Sharif (CEO)

Investcom Holding SAL (Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his brotherTaha own 97.5% of the shares)


Abdelhalim Mikati (Deputy CEO)

Samir Mirza

Executive Board



1051 / 1471

http://https//www.lebanon24.com/





Further Information

Fares Gemayel




Meta Data



1052 / 1471



MTV SALMTV SAL is the legal owner of the licence of MTV TV station. Thedocuments made available by the Ministry of Justice's CommercialRegistry mention five co-owners of MTV SAL : four children ofGabriel Murr (Michel, Jyad, Carl and Carole) as well as JosephSarkis, without detailing the number of shares each one of themholds.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


MTV SAL is operating in TV broadcasting

Ownership


The Gabriel Murr family is involved inseveral sectors. Media is their mainbusiness. The four children of GabrielMurr (Michel, Jyad, Carl and Carole) arelisted as shareholders but there is noinformation on the number of shares.

?

Joseph Sarkis ?



1053 / 1471


http://cr.justice.gov.lb/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//joseph-sarkis/








MTV

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


MTV (32.5%)


Facts

General Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Beirut Media Zone, StudioVision building no.2Naccache (Metn)Lebanon

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

TV



1054 / 1471






Management

Further Information


Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Michel Gabriel Murr (CEO)

Joseph Sarkis

Jyad Gabriel Murr (Executive Director)

Carl Gabriel Murr

Carol Gabriel Murr (CFO)

Executive Board


Data Unavailable



1055 / 1471



Audience share for TV stations is based on IPSOS data (Q1 and Q2 of 2018).The documents made available by the Ministry of Justice's CommercialRegister does not detail the number of shares each owner holds.Information about official titles and missions is taken from the LinkedInprofiles of Jyad Gabriel Murr, Carl Murr and Carol Murr-Farah.

AFC - who we are. Acessed on 7 November 2018

Meta Data

Sources



1056 / 1471




National Broadcasting Network(NBN) SALNational Broadcasting Network SAL owns the NBN TV station,which was founded in 1996 by Lebanon’s Parliament speaker andhead of Amal movement, Nabih Berri, pursuant to Decree No.10059 of January 10, 1998. Kassem Sweid is the chair of NBN’sboard of directors.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


NBN SAL is operating in TV broadcasting



1057 / 1471





NBN

Ownership

Individual OwnerHamdan Family

Hassan Hamdan (10%)Khalil Hamdan (10%)Ali Hamdan (9.8%)

29.8%

Berri Family

Mahmoud Berri (9.8%) is Nabih's Berribrother, Amina Berri (9.86%) his sister andSamira Assi (0.04%) his sister-in-law.

19.1%

Kassem Soueid 10%

Media Outlets

TV



1058 / 1471










Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


National Broadcasting Network (4.8%)

www.nbn.com.lb/

Facts

General Information


1996

Nabih Berri, Speaker of Parliament since 1992

Missing Data

Phone + 961 (1) 803 981

www.nbn.com.lb


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






1059 / 1471

http://http//www.nbn.com.lb/




Management

Further Information

Kassem Soueid (CEO)

Louay and Ahmad Sami Hojeij

Executive Board


NBN’s Official Website.

NBN SAL. Accessed on November 14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1060 / 1471


https://lb.kompass.com/c/the-national-broadcasting-network-sal/lb000862/



Noursat SALNoursat was launched in 2003 and its executive director is Raymond Nader. It is the sister company of TéléLumière SAL, broadcasting via satellite.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Noursat SAL is operating in TV broadcasting

Ownership

Individual OwnerKallassi Family 33%

Frem Family 30%

Nassar Family 15%



1061 / 1471










Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets


Facts

General Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data



Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

TV



1062 / 1471








Management

Further Information


Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Jacques Kallassi (Chairman & General Manager)

Neemat Frem (Member of Parliament)

Antoine Saad

Raymond Nader

Roula Nassar (Official Signatory)

Georges Moawad

Executive Board





Meta Data

Sources



1063 / 1471






1064 / 1471



Radio Orient SALRadio Orient SAL owns the Lebanese station Radio Orientbroadcasting from Beirut. It was founded by Raghid El-Shammaa, aFrench-Lebanese businessman based in Paris, and sold to PrimeMinister Rafik Hariri in late 1994. It obtained its license the sameyear.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Radio Orient SAL is operating in radio broadcasting.

Ownership


Others 0.6%



1065 / 1471







Radio Orient

Media Outlets

Facts

General Information


1991

Raghid Al-Shammaa

Missing Data

Phone + 961 (1) 370 700

www.radioorientlb.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing DataRevenue (Financial Data/Optional)

Radio



1066 / 1471







Management

Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data



Wave Holding SAL (MP Bahia Hariri owns 99.65% of the shares)Further Information.

Nabil Gabriel Khoury

Ahmad Mrowa

Executive Board


Radio’s Official page. Accessed on November 14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1067 / 1471





Société Générale de Presse etd'Édition SALThe Société Générale de Presse et d’Édition SAL owns L’Orient-Le Jour newspaper. In 2009, it was granteda license to issue a weekly, non-political francophone publication called L’Orient-Le Jour-Junior-Les Copainsmanaged by Zéna Zalzal. It also publishes the economic magazine Le Commerce du Levant.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Société Générale de Presse et d'Édition SAL is operating in the newspaperpublishing sector.



1068 / 1471




L’Orient-Le Jour

Ownership

Individual OwnerEddé Family

Michel Edde (38.03%)Michel Helou (0.005% - grandson,Executive Director)Salim Helou (0.005% - grandson)

38%

Choueiri Family

The Choueiri family through the ChoueiriGroup.

22.6%

Pharaon Family

Michel Pharaon (2.57% - current Ministerof State for Planning)Nayla De Freige (1.65% - sister)Pharaon Holding SAL (11%)Libano-Suisse Insurance Consulting (0.2% -owned by the Pharaons)

15.4%

Media Outlets

Print



1069 / 1471











Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


L’Orient-Le Jour (3.1%)


L'Orient Litteraire

Website

Facts

General Information


1971

Pierre Edde, former Lebanese MP and Minister;Ghassan Tueni, veteran Lebanese journalist, politician and diplomat;Georges Naccache is a former Minister

Missing Data

L'Orient-Le Jour buildingDamascus International roadHazmieh (Baabda) P.O.Box 45-254LebanonPhone + 961 (5) 956 444

www.lorientlejour.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number



1070 / 1471


http://https//www.lorientlejour.com/




Management

Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Michel Eddé (CEO)

Nayla de Freige (Deputy CEO)

Michel Hélou (Executive Director)

Marwan Hamadé (Minister of Education and MP)

Henri Tyan

Rizk Iskandar Rizk

Salim Hélou

Issa Goraieb

Nayla de Freige (see above)

Najib Aoun

Michel Pharaon (Minister of State for Planning, former MP)

Choueiri Group (90% of the shares are owned by the Choueiri family)Further Information.

Executive Board



1071 / 1471





باسم الفرنسية باللغة سياسية، غير أسبوعية، مطبوعة بإصدار الترخيص L’ORIENT LE JOUR-

JUNIOR-LES COPAINS. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1072 / 1471

http://www.legallaw.ul.edu.lb/LawView.aspx?opt=view&LawID=222676



Société Moderne d'Information SALSociété Moderne d’Information SAL is an independent joint-stock company that owns Voix du Liban 93.3 FM. Itis owned by the heirs of the late Simon El-Khazen – the former vice-president of the Phalange Party – whohave been running the radio station since the 1990s.

The Société Moderne d’Information is currently in a legal controversy with the Phalange Party, the initial ownerof the radio in 1975 (see Société Nouvelle d’Information Audiovisuelle SAL) regarding the ownership of Voix duLiban trade name.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


The Société Moderne d'Information SAL is operating in radio broadcasting.

Ownership



Habib Lahoud 13.4%



1073 / 1471


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//phalange-party/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company//societe-nouvelle-dinformation-audiovisuelle-sal/









Voix du Liban 93.3

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Voix du Liban 93.3 (11.3%)

https://vdl.com.lb

Facts

General Information

1996

Simon Al-Khazen, Vice-President of the Phalange Party

Missing Data

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Radio



1074 / 1471






Management

Further Information

VDL buildingNahr El-Kalb HillDbayeh (Metn)P.O.Box 19-170Phone + 961 (4) 545 352


Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Imad El Khazen (CEO)

Tarek El Khazen

Jamal Al Khatib

Makram Obeid

Jalal Bitar

Executive Board





1075 / 1471





Meta Data

Sources



1076 / 1471

https://vdl.com.lb/program/frontend/web/index.php



Société Nouvelle d'InformationAudiovisuelle SALSociété Nouvelle d'Information Audiovisuelle is a joint-stock company broadcasting on the following FMwavelengths: 100.3 and 100.5. In 2010, the Phalange Party bought the rights to the 100.3 and 100.5 FM radiofrequencies, previously owned by Noujoum Loubnan (Stars of Lebanon), a Category 2 (i.e. non-political) station.

Upon buying them, the Party declared that it would launch Voix du Liban again on these two new frequencies.On December 2, 2010, two different radio stations carrying the same name were broadcasting. In 2017, theLebanese Court of Cassation ruled that the Voix du Liban logo, with the acronym VDL, is a distinctive nameworthy of protection and that its rights were to be granted solely to the Phalange Party's VDL 100.3-100.5frequencies, banning the Dbayeh VDL 93.3 station from using this name. Three months later, however, theCourt issued a second ruling suspending the first ruling and thus reopening the case file. The legal dispute isongoing.

The General Manager is Salim Sayegh and the board of directors includes Chaker Aoun, Joseph Khalil, SergeDagher and Georges Stephan.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Société Nouvelle d'Information Audiovisuelle SAL is operating in radiobroadcasting.

Ownership




1077 / 1471









Voix du Liban 100.3

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Voix du Liban 100.3 (9%)

http://www.sawtlebnan.com

http://www.vdl.me

www.kataeb.org

Facts

General Information

2008

The Phalange Party, a Christian Democratic political party in Lebanon

Missing Data

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Radio



1078 / 1471





Management

VDL buildingAshrafieh - Alfred Naccache StreetBeirutPhone + 961 (76) 611 005Website Voix du Liban 100.3


Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Salim Sayegh (CEO; former Minister of Social Affairs)

Assaad Maroun

Chaker Aoun

Joseph Khalil

Serge Dagher

Sejaan Kazzi (former Minister of Labor)

Gerges Estephan

Executive Board



1079 / 1471

http://www.vdl.me/



Further Information



Société Nouvelle d’Information audiovisuelle SAL. Accessed on November

14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1080 / 1471

http://www.vdl.me/

https://lb.kompass.com/c/societe-nouvelle-d-information-audiovisuel-sal/lb018008/



Statistics Lebanon SARLStatistics Lebanon SARL owns the Lebanon Files website created in2006 by Rabih El Haber, who is the editor-in-chief.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Statistics Lebanon SARL operates in market research services. (marketing,merchandising & direct marketing services; qualitative & quantitativeresearch & opinion polling; political marketing & media monitoring; publicaffairs research).

Ownership

Individual OwnerRabih Haber 98%



1081 / 1471


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//rabih-haber/





Lebanon Files

Mireille El haberMireille El haber Rabih Haber's sister. 1%

Mona Iskandar Haddad 1%

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Online Outlets http://www.lebanonfiles.com

Facts

General Information

1996Founding Year

Online



1082 / 1471






Management

Further Information

Rabih El Haber

Missing Data

Mar Roukoz centerMar Roukoz streetHazmieh (Baabda) P.O.Box 55-321LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 686 851

www.lebanonfiles.com


Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Rabih El-Haber (Founder and General Manager)

Mona Haddad

Mireille El-Haber

Executive Board



1083 / 1471

http://http//www.lebanonfiles.com/





Website’s Official Page.



Meta Data

Sources



1084 / 1471




Télé Liban SALIn 1978, the two private companies CLT and Télé Orient werenationalized and merged into a joint company with public andprivate shareholders. Télé Liban was granted a license for 25 yearswith a monopoly over broadcasting until 2012, which was endedwith the enactment of the Audiovisual Media Law No. 382 of 1994.The private sector shares were over the years bought by more thanone investor, the latest being former Prime Minister Rafik Haririwho acquired all the private sector shares, which were later boughtby the state in 1996, and Télé Liban became a fully state-ownedcompany.

Key facts

Mother Company

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

The State

Private


Télé Liban SAL is operating in TV broadcasting.

Ownership




1085 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/context/law/






Télé Liban

Assaad El Moukaddam ?

Touma Arida ?

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


Télé Liban (11.6%)

www.teleliban.com.lb

Facts

General Information

TV



1086 / 1471





Management

Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Télé Liban buildingAl-Rachidine street, Tallet Khayat sectorBeirut P.O.Box 4848LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 788 800

www.teleliban.com.lb


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Missing DataExecutive Board





1087 / 1471

http://http//www.teleliban.com.lb/





Télé Liban’s Official Website. Accessed on September 28, 2018.

14 March Official Website (2015). يغطي أصبح: لبنان تلفزيون في االنجازات عن اعلن مقدسياللبنانية االراضي من% 95من اكثر . Accessed on September 28, 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



1088 / 1471





Télé-Lumière SALTélé-Lumière SAL was founded in 1991 and owns Télé Lumièreand Noursat. The executive director is Ronald Abou Jaoude andthe board of directors includes Sana Nasr, Jack Kallassi, RoulaNasr, Neemat Frem and Georges Mouawad.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Télé-Lumière SAL is operating in TV broadcasting



1089 / 1471







Ownership

Individual OwnerFrem Family 15%

Nassar Family 10%

Gebran Tohmé 8.2%

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets


Facts

TV



1090 / 1471











General Information


Management

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Bishop Roland Abou Jaoudeh (CEO)

Bishop Antoine Nabil Andari (Deputy CEO)

Neemat Frem (Deputy CEO, Member of Parliament)

Antoine Abdo Saad (Secretary)

Executive Board



1091 / 1471





Further Information

Georges Moawad

Roula Nassar Khoury

Sarkis Sarkis

Brother Nour (Executive Director)

Karim Abdallah

Abboud Boghoss

Tony Dib

Jack Kallassi (General Manager)

Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rai - Honorary President and Patriarch of theMaronite Church since 2011

Supervisory Board





Meta Data

Sources



1092 / 1471




The Daily Star SALThe Daily Star SAL was founded in 1952 and is based in Beirut. Ithas around 100 employees. It publishes the Daily Star newspaperwhich is the only English-language print daily in Lebanon. MalekMrowa, the son of Kamel Mrowa is its current Chairman of theBoard.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


The Daily Star SAL is operating in the newspaper publishing sector.



1093 / 1471




Ownership


The shares belong to D.S. Holding SAL,which in turn is owned by Middle HoldingSAL (founded by Saad Hariri), which in turnis owned by Millennium Development SAL,which in turn is owned by Cayman Islands-based Millennium DevelopmentInternational. The Chairman confirms thatthe shares ultimately belong to the Haririfamily. Also, Millennium Development SALwas founded by Millennium DevelopmentHolding SAL, which in turn is ownedby Inmaa Holding SAL that is owned by Mr.Nader Hariri, son of MP Bahia Hariri andcousin and former chief of staff of PrimeMinister Saad Hariri.

100%

Malek MrowaMalek Mrowa is the son of The Daily Star's founder Kamel Mrowa

?

Nadim LadkiNadim Ladki is the Daily Star's Editor in Chief ?



1094 / 1471





The Daily Star

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


The Daily Star (0.3%)


Facts

General Information

1996

Jamil Mrowa, son of Kaml Mrowa and the brother of Malek Mrowa, theChairman of the newspaper and the VP of the Samir Kassir Foundation.

around 100 employees

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Print



1095 / 1471






Management

Further Information

3rd floor, Markaziya buildingMère Gellas street, Beirut Central District, Bachoura sectorBeirut P.O.Box 11-987LebanonPhone: +961 (1) 985 313

www.dailystar.com.lb


Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Malek Mrowa (CEO)

Nadim Ladki (Official Signatory)

D.S. Holding SAL (ultimately owned by the Hariri family and represented byJamal Zein and Adnan Domiati)

Executive Board





1096 / 1471

http://http//www.dailystar.com.lb/




Audience share for newspapers is based on IPSOS data (average readership2016 and 2017). # In a meeting with the MOM team, The Daily Star'sChairman confirmed that the shares ultimately belong to the Hariri family.

Kompass Profile The Daily Star Sal. Accessed on 26 October 2018.

Meta Data

Sources



1097 / 1471

https://www.kompass.com/fr/z/lb/c/the-daily-star-sal/lb001549/






Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1098 / 1471









Voix du Liban 100.3

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets




http://www.vdl.me

www.kataeb.org

Facts

General Information

2008


Missing Data

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Radio



1099 / 1471





Management



Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data





Assaad Maroun

Chaker Aoun

Joseph Khalil

Serge Dagher


Gerges Estephan

Executive Board



1100 / 1471

http://www.vdl.me/



Further Information




14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1101 / 1471

http://www.vdl.me/





Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private





1102 / 1471



Al-Akhbar

Ownership



43.8%

Youssef Wehbi


34.8%



18.8%

Media Outlets

Print



1103 / 1471











Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Al Akhbar (7.8%)

www.al-akhbar.com/


Facts

General Information


Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data


www.al-akhbar.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data





1104 / 1471





Management

Further Information



Youssef Wehbi

Executive Board





Meta Data

Sources



1105 / 1471





Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1106 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1107 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1108 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1109 / 1471



Al Jadeed SALAl Jadeed SAL owns the TV station Al Jadeed whose chairman isTahseen Khayat and it is part of Tahseen Khayat Group. In 2014,Tahseen Khayat’s daughter, Karma, and Al Jadeed SAL were chargedby The Hague-based Special Tribunal for Lebanon (trying thesuspects in Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination) of knowinglyand willfully interfering with the administration of justice, after Al-Jadeed broadcast five reports entitled “The Witnesses of theInternational Tribunal”. In 2016, they were cleared of all charges.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Al Jadeed SAL is operating in TV broadcasting



1110 / 1471





Al-Jadeed

Ownership

Individual OwnerKhayat Family

Tahseen Khayat (10%)Bouchra Khayat (10% - daughter)Ghida Khayat (8.13% - daughter)Nadia Khayat (10% - daughter)Karma Khayat (10% - daughter)Karim Khayat (10% - son)

58.1%

Safa Al Khoury 10%


Media Outlets

TV



1111 / 1471










Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Jadeed (35.6)

Al Jadeed FM (90.3 FM)

fm.aljadeed.tv

Facts

General Information


1990


Missing Data

Al Jadeed TV buildingJabal Al-Arab street, Wata SectorBeirut P.O.Box 11-5858LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 830 630

www.tahseenkhayatgroup.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data





1112 / 1471

http://http//www.tahseenkhayatgroup.com//




Management

Further Information


Tahseen Khayat Family (CEO)

Amar Holding Company

Ghaleb Farha

Saadallah Mazraani (Deputy-Secretary General of the Lebanese CommunistParty)

Abdallah Zakhem

Emile Kanaan

Rida Ismail

Bouchra Khayat

Nizar Younes

Executive Board


Tahseen Khayat Group. Accessed on November 14, 2018.

Al Jadeed S.A.L. & Ms Khayat (STL-14-05). Accessed on November 14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1113 / 1471

http://www.tahseenkhayatgroup.com//

https://www.stl-tsl.org/en/the-cases/contempt-cases/stl-14-05



MTV SALMTV SAL is the legal owner of the licence of MTV TV station. Thedocuments made available by the Ministry of Justice's CommercialRegistry mention five co-owners of MTV SAL : four children ofGabriel Murr (Michel, Jyad, Carl and Carole) as well as JosephSarkis, without detailing the number of shares each one of themholds.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


MTV SAL is operating in TV broadcasting

Ownership


The Gabriel Murr family is involved inseveral sectors. Media is their mainbusiness. The four children of GabrielMurr (Michel, Jyad, Carl and Carole) arelisted as shareholders but there is noinformation on the number of shares.

?

Joseph Sarkis ?



1114 / 1471












MTV

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


MTV (32.5%)


Facts

General Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

Beirut Media Zone, StudioVision building no.2Naccache (Metn)Lebanon

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

TV



1115 / 1471






Management

Further Information


Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Michel Gabriel Murr (CEO)

Joseph Sarkis

Jyad Gabriel Murr (Executive Director)

Carl Gabriel Murr

Carol Gabriel Murr (CFO)

Executive Board


Data Unavailable



1116 / 1471



Audience share for TV stations is based on IPSOS data (Q1 and Q2 of 2018).The documents made available by the Ministry of Justice's CommercialRegister does not detail the number of shares each owner holds.Information about official titles and missions is taken from the LinkedInprofiles of Jyad Gabriel Murr, Carl Murr and Carol Murr-Farah.

AFC - who we are. Acessed on 7 November 2018

Meta Data

Sources



1117 / 1471





Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership



50%



1118 / 1471






OTV


10%


10%

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


OTV (16.4%)


TV



1119 / 1471




Facts

General Information


Management

2006


Missing Data



Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data







1120 / 1471




Further Information


Nada Abou Jaoudeh







Meta Data

Sources



1121 / 1471





Al Joumhouria News Corp SALAl Joumhouria News Corp SAL was created in 2011 as part of theMurr Group. It owns Al Joumhouria newspaper and its chairmanis Michel Elias Murr.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Al Joumhouria News Corp SAL is operating in the political publishing sector.

Ownership

Individual OwnerMichel Elias Murr Family

Elias Michel Murr (36.17% - son)Michel Elias Murr (36.17% - grandson)Group Murr SAL Holding (3.3%)Al Joumhouria News Corp Pan-Arab SALHolding (20%)Al Sharika Al Lubnania lil Idara walMoussahama SAL (3.3%)

99%



1122 / 1471







Al Joumhouria

Edouard SaadehMissing Data 1%

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Al Joumhouria (9.6%)

www.aljoumhouria.com/

Facts

General Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Founding Year

Founder

Print



1123 / 1471






Management

Further Information

Missing Data

Al Amara building,Off highwayZalka (Metn) P.O.Box 90-152LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 888 051

www.aljoumhouria.com


Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Michel Elias Murr (CEO)

Elias Michel Murr

Executive Board




Meta Data



1124 / 1471

http://http//www.aljoumhouria.com/




Newspaper’s Official Page. Accessed on October 10, 2018.Sources



1125 / 1471




Annahar SALAnnahar SAL is headed by Nayla Tuéni and publishes the Annaharnewspaper.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Annahar SAL is operating in the newspaper publishing sector.



1126 / 1471






Annahar

Ownership

Individual OwnerTueni Family

Members of the Tueni family ( 20.62%)Current Education Minister MarwanHamade - the uncle of the Tueni children(0.15%)The Nadia Tueni Foundation (2.2%)

22.9%

Hariri Family

The Hariri family owns 99.9% of the Al MalInvestment Co. SAL Holding, which holds39.6% of Annahar SAL.

39.6%

Ali Ghandour 1.7%

Media Outlets

Print



1127 / 1471











Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Annahar (9.4%)

http://www.annahar.com

Facts

General Information


Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data

An-Nahar building,Martyrs' square, Marfa' sectorBeirut P.O.Box 11-226LebanonPhone + 961 (1) 994 888

www.annahar.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






1128 / 1471





Management

Further Information

Nayla Tuéni (CEO)

Michelle Tuéni (Deputy General Manager)

Khalil Chammas (Deputy General Manager)

Imad Tuéni

Ali Ghandour

Ziad Tuéni

Nader Hariri

Walid Sabaa Ayon

Al-Mal Investment Holding (99.94% of the shares are owned by the Haririfamily)

Nadia Tuéni Foundation

Executive Board


Annahar Website. Accessed on 22 November 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1129 / 1471





Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private





1130 / 1471



Al-Akhbar

Ownership



43.8%

Youssef Wehbi


34.8%



18.8%

Media Outlets

Print



1131 / 1471











Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Al Akhbar (7.8%)

www.al-akhbar.com/


Facts

General Information


Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data


www.al-akhbar.com


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data





1132 / 1471





Management

Further Information



Youssef Wehbi

Executive Board





Meta Data

Sources



1133 / 1471




Al-Nahda SALAl-Nahda is a private company established in 1987. It is the company that owns the Addiyar newspaper. Ithas around 250 employees.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Al-Nahda SAL is operating in the newspaper publishing sector.

Ownership





1134 / 1471








Addiyar

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


Addiyar (6.6%)


Facts

General Information

1998

Charles Ayoub, Lebanese journalist

around 250

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Print



1135 / 1471






Management

Further Information

Al-Nahda buildingYarzeh areaBaabda (Baabda)P.O.Box 40-300LebanonPhone: +961 (5) 923774

www.addiyar.com


Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Charles Ayoub (CEO)

Odette Ayoub

Antoine Ayoub

Executive Board




Meta Data



1136 / 1471

http://https//www.addiyar.com//




Kompass Profile Al-Nahda SAL. Accessed on 23 November 2018.Sources



1137 / 1471

https://www.kompass.com/fr/z/lb/c/al-nahda-sal/lb000496/



Société Moderne d'Information SALSociété Moderne d’Information SAL is an independent joint-stock company that owns Voix du Liban 93.3 FM. Itis owned by the heirs of the late Simon El-Khazen – the former vice-president of the Phalange Party – whohave been running the radio station since the 1990s.

The Société Moderne d’Information is currently in a legal controversy with the Phalange Party, the initial ownerof the radio in 1975 (see Société Nouvelle d’Information Audiovisuelle SAL) regarding the ownership of Voix duLiban trade name.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


The Société Moderne d'Information SAL is operating in radio broadcasting.

Ownership



Habib Lahoud 13.4%



1138 / 1471



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company//societe-nouvelle-dinformation-audiovisuelle-sal/









Voix du Liban 93.3

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Voix du Liban 93.3 (11.3%)

https://vdl.com.lb

Facts

General Information

1996

Simon Al-Khazen, Vice-President of the Phalange Party

Missing Data

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Radio



1139 / 1471






Management

Further Information

VDL buildingNahr El-Kalb HillDbayeh (Metn)P.O.Box 19-170Phone + 961 (4) 545 352


Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Imad El Khazen (CEO)

Tarek El Khazen

Jamal Al Khatib

Makram Obeid

Jalal Bitar

Executive Board





1140 / 1471





Meta Data

Sources



1141 / 1471

https://vdl.com.lb/program/frontend/web/index.php



Liban Libre pour la Production et laDiffusion SALRadio Liban Libre was founded in 1978 by a decision of BachirGemayel, the founder of the Lebanese Forces who was electedPresident of the Lebanese Republic in 1982 but was assassinatedbefore taking office. RLL obtained its license in 1996 and is currentlyconsidered one of the Lebanese Forces’ media outlets.

The company Liban Libre pour la Production et la Diffusion SAL wasestablished in 1996 and was granted the license to operate RLL asper the Audiovisual Media Law No. 382 of 1994.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Liban Libre pour la Production et la Diffusion SAL is operating in radiobroadcasting.

Ownership

Individual OwnerLebanese Forces

The Lebanese Forces present themselvesas the owners of the company. However,while at least 76% of the shareholders aremembers of the party, the othershareholders' political affiliations couldnot be identified.

?



1142 / 1471








Radio Liban Libre

Media Outlets

Facts

General Information


1996

The Lebanese Forces, a Lebanese Christian based political party and formermilitia

Missing Data

Loubnan El-Horr buildingMain road, Adonis areaZouk Mosbeh (Kesrouane) P.O.Box 110LebanonPhone + 961 (9) 225 577

www.rll.com.lb


Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Radio



1143 / 1471







Management

Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Edgar Majdalani (CEO)

Elie Khalil

Executive Board



Liban Libre pour la Production et la Diffusion SAL. Accessed on November

14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1144 / 1471


https://www.kompass.com/fr/z/lb/c/liban-libre-pour-la-production-la-diffusion-sal/lb004495/



Al Mada Group SARLAl Mada Group SAL owns the Sawt El Mada station, which wasfounded in 2009 and obtained its license that same year. StateMinister Pierre Raffoul of the Free Patriotic Movement has beenthe executive director of the radio station since its inception.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Al Mada Group SARL is operating in radio broadcasting.

Ownership


Fawzi MoutranFawzi Moutran is a Lebanese lawyer 1%



1145 / 1471







Sawt El Mada

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Sawt El Mada (9.3%)

www.almada.org

Facts

General Information

2009

Elias Bou Saab, former Minister of Education (2014-2016) and a member ofParliament (since 2018)

Missing Data

Mtaileb28 Street, Matn, LEBANON

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Contact

Radio



1146 / 1471





Management

Further Information


Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Elias Bou Saab (Co-founder and General Manager; MP and former Minister ofEducation)

Fawzi Moutran (Co-founder and partner)

Executive Board





Meta Data

Sources



1147 / 1471







Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1148 / 1471









Voix du Liban 100.3

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets




http://www.vdl.me

www.kataeb.org

Facts

General Information

2008


Missing Data

Founding Year

Founder

Employees

Radio



1149 / 1471





Management



Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data





Assaad Maroun

Chaker Aoun

Joseph Khalil

Serge Dagher


Gerges Estephan

Executive Board



1150 / 1471

http://www.vdl.me/



Further Information




14, 2018.



Meta Data

Sources



1151 / 1471

http://www.vdl.me/





Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1152 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1153 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1154 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1155 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1156 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1157 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1158 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1159 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1160 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1161 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1162 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1163 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1164 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1165 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1166 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1167 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1168 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1169 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1170 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1171 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1172 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1173 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1174 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1175 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1176 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1177 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1178 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1179 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1180 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1181 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1182 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1183 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1184 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1185 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1186 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1187 / 1471



Wijeya Newspapers LimitedWijeya Newspapers Limited (WNL), formerly known as WijeyaPublications Limited, was founded in 1979 by Ranjit SujivaWijewardene, also known as Ranjit Wijewardene. He is the son ofwell-known media owner D.R. Wijewardene. With the exception ofAnandi Balasingham, all the other shareholders of the company aremembers of the Wijewardene family. Sarathi Limited, which is acompany holding shares in WNL, is also owned by the Wijewardenefamily. The founder of WNL, Ranjith Wijewardene, served as theChairperson of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited(ANCL), his father’s company, before it was nationalised in 1973.After commencing WNL, Ranjith Wijewardene launched severalnewspapers in Sinhala, Tamil and English: Irida Lankadeepa (1986),Sunday Times (1987), Lankadeepa (1991) and Daily Mirror (1999). Other publications owned by WNL include:Ada, Bilindu, Daily Financial Times (Daily FT), GO: Guys Only, Hi!!, LW (Lanka Woman), Mirror Sports, Pariganaka,Sirikatha, Tamil Mirror, Tharunaya, Vijey and Wijeya.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Publishing, TV broadcasting, real estate, tourism, recruitment consultancy

Ownership




1188 / 1471





Other Media Outlets



1189 / 1471



Other Print Outlets

Other TV Outlets


Daily Mirror (0.55%)

Daily Financial Times (Daily FT) (0.08%)

Sirikatha (3.47%)

Tharunaya (0.31%)

Deshaya (Sunday Edition) (0.22%)

Wijeya (5.95%)

Bilindu (Missing Data)

Tamil Mirror (0.17%)

Vijey (1.03%)

GO (Guys Only) (Missing Data)

Hi!! Magazine (0.02)

LW (Lanka Woman) (0.07%)

Pariganaka (0.23%)

Easy Guide (0.02)

Wijeya Braille (Missing Data)

Hi TV (Missing Data)

http://www.dailymirror.lk/

http://middleeast.lankadeepa.lk/

http://www.saaravita.lk/

http://www.ft.lk/

http://www.ada.lk/



1190 / 1471

http://www.dailymirror.lk/

http://middleeast.lankadeepa.lk/

http://www.saaravita.lk/

http://www.ft.lk/

http://www.ada.lk/



sundaytimes.lk

http://www.kelimandala.lk/

http://www.life.lk/

http://www.hitv.lk/

http://tamilmirror.lk/

http://www.deshaya.lk/

http://mirrorcitizen.dailymirror.lk/

http://timesjobs.sundaytimes.lk/

http://www.mirroredu.lk/

http://www.lw.lk/

http://www.educationtimes.lk/

http://www.wijeya.lk/

http://tara.edu.lk/

http://www.wedo.lk/

Facts

Business

Stamford Lake (Pvt) Limited

Lake House Printers and Publishers (Pvt) Limited

Printing and publishinghouses



1191 / 1471

http://sundaytimes.lk/

http://www.kelimandala.lk/

http://www.life.lk/

http://www.hitv.lk/

http://tamilmirror.lk/

http://www.deshaya.lk/

http://mirrorcitizen.dailymirror.lk/

http://timesjobs.sundaytimes.lk/

http://www.mirroredu.lk/

http://www.lw.lk/

http://www.educationtimes.lk/

http://www.wijeya.lk/

http://tara.edu.lk/

http://www.wedo.lk/



General Information

LH Plantations (Pvt) Limited

Ranweli Holiday Village Limited

Sarathi Tours Limited

Sarathi Ltd

Wijeya Graphics (Pvt) Limited

Real estate

Tourism

Recruitment Consultancy

Technology

1979

Ranjit Sujiva Wijewardene, also referred to as Ranjit Wijewardene, is the sonof Sri Lankan media proprietor D.R. Wijewardene, who founded theAssociated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL, also known as Lake House)in 1926, prior to its nationalisation under Sirimavo Bandaranaike’sgovernment in 1973. Ranjit serves as the founding Chairperson and majorityshareholder of Wijeya Newspapers Limited. Although the company wasformed in 1979 under the name of Wijeya Publications Limited, it startedpublishing weekly Irida Lankadeepa newspaper in 1986, and shortlyafterwards the daily Lankadeepa newspaper in 1991. He also holds 0.57percent of shares at the ANCL. In addition to holding the position of aChairperson at Wijeya Newspapers Limited, Ranjith also serves as theChairperson & Managing Director at Lake House Printers & Publishers Ltd.,Chairperson at Lake House Bookshop Pvt Ltd., Chairperson at LH PlantationsPvt Ltd., Chairperson at Ranweli Holiday Village Ltd., Chairperson at SarathiLtd., Chairperson at Stamford Lake Pvt Ltd., Chairperson at Wijeya GraphicsPvt Ltd., and President at Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka. Ranjith is also onthe Board of Directors at Freudenberg & Co. (Ceylon) Ltd. and R.S. Printek PvtLtd.

Upali Wijewardene, the founder of Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited, is Ranjit’scousin. Meanwhile, incumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the Leader ofthe United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremesinghe is Ranjit’s nephew.

Founding Year




1192 / 1471




Management

Ranjith Wijeywardene married Ranjini Neela Senanayake, granddaughter ofD.S. Senanayake who served as the first Prime Minister of Ceylon. Othernotable family members from Ranjini's family include Dudley Senanayake(uncle) the second Prime Minister of Ceylon, and Rukman Senanayake, aformer Member of Parliament. Ranjit has three children, including currentState Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, and Sujan Wijewardene, whois the Executive Director of Lake House Printers and Publishers Limited, acompany affiliated with the Wijewardene Group Limited, Sujan Wijewardene.

Missing Data

Wijeya Newspapers LimitedNo. 08, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 2General: +9411 247 9479, +9411 231 4714Fax: +94 11 244 8323Website: www.wijeyanewspapers.lk

104081486-7000

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Ranjit Sujiva Wijewardene – also referred to as Ranjit Wijewardene, theChairperson at Wijeya Newspapers Limited (WNL) and owns 89.99 percent ofshares in the company. He is also the current President of the NewspaperSociety of Sri Lanka. In addition to owning shares at WNL, Ranjit owns 0.57percent of shares at the state-owned Associated Newspapers of CeylonLimited.

Executive Board



1193 / 1471




Further Information

Parakrama Sujan Wijewardene – the son of Ranjit Wijewardene, serves as theDeputy Chairperson at WNL and owns 10 percent of the shares in thecompany.

L. Jayawardene – Director and Board Member at WNL.

Sirisena Ranasingha – Director and Board Member at WNL.

Dulsing Visrajith Gunatunga – Director and Board Member at WNL.

Kalu arachchige Don Randev Channa Samarasinghe – Director and BoardMember at WNL.

Wijeya Newspapers turns 36 by the Daily Mirror (2015), Accessed on 10

August 2018

Wijeya Newspapers wins Silver at National Cleaner Production Awards by

the Daily FT (2011), Accessed on 10 August 2018

The official websites of Wijeya Newspapers Limited and its publications didnot contain information on the organisational structure and key individuals.As such, this information was obtained by referencing secondary sources andthe information sent by the company. The ownership structure of WijeyaNewspapers Limited was re-confirmed by the information gathered from theannual returns at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The most recentdata was available for the year 2017. However, since the Department doesnot maintain individual profiles, it is not possible to ascertain all thecompanies affiliated with Wijeya Newspapers Limited. While the MediaOwnership Monitor research team reached out to Wijeya Newspapers Limitedby formally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, thecompany responded to the aforementioned request on 17 August 2018.Readership data was obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market ResearchBureau (LMRB) for the year 2017.


Headlines



Meta Data

Sources



1194 / 1471

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/wijeya-newspapers-turns-36-97243.html

http://www.ft.lk/article/16428/Wijeya-Newspapers-wins-Silver-at-National-Cleaner-Production-Awards







Prairie Awards to Wijewardene Clan For Fostering Sri Lankan journalism;






Guide to Media 2017


Documents



1195 / 1471








Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt)LimitedAsia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited (ABC) was established inSri Lanka in the 1990s by the UK-based Sunrise Radio Group. It ispresently listed as a subsidiary under Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt)Limited, which is owned by Rayynor Silva. Five radio stations areunder the purview of ABC: Hiru FM, Shaa FM, Gold FM, Sun FM andSooriyan FM. ABC also oversees an HD ready/ digital ready TVchannel, Hiru TV.

In 2007, the Sri Lankan government suspended ABC’s radiobroadcasting licenses on two objections: firstly, that although ABC’slicenses were issues on 17 November 1995, the company had onlybeen incorporated on November 27; secondly, that ABC hadbroadcasted an erroneous report during the country’s armed conflict. Despite ABC having issued an apologyand attempting to rectify the erroneous report, the government proceeded with the suspension on thegrounds that it was reportedly a “gross violation of the freedom of expression”. Moreover, the Supreme Courtdismissed ABC’s fundamental rights petition and ordered Chairperson Rayynor Silva to pay a Rs. 250,000(2,259.99 USD) cash bail for submitting a false affidavit to the Supreme Court which had reportedly suppressedthe initial erroneous news content ABC had broadcasted. Several media-related groups such as ReportersWithout Borders (RSF) and the Free Media Movement (FMM) however widely condemned the suspension.

Key facts

Mother Company

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited

Private

Private Limited Company

Radio and Television Broadcasting



1196 / 1471



Ownership


Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Sun FM (0.32%)



https://www.sunfm.lk/


http://gossip.hirufm.lk/


https://www.shaafm.lk/

https://www.goldfm.lk/

Facts

Business

Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited


Real estate

Fashion



1197 / 1471













General Information


Mediacorp Investments (Pvt) LimitedOther

1995

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited was initially founded by theSunrise Radio Group in the 1990s. It was later owned by Rayynor Silva, who isa well-known businessman in the broadcasting field of Sri Lanka and thepresent Chairperson of the company. The company remains one of thelargest radio networks in the country. Rayynor’s brother Vincent Silva servesas the current CEO of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. Meanwhile,former Member of Parliament Duminda Silva is also Rayynor Silva’s brother.On 11 October 2018 the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed byDuminda Silva for the murder of former Member of Parliament, BharathaLakshman Premachandra.

Missing Data


Website: www.asiabroadcasting.lk

PV16452

Founding Year


Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






1198 / 1471


http://http//www.asiabroadcasting.lk/




Management

Further Information

Samantha Rayynor Silva – Owner of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt)Limited.

Vincent Premalal Silva – Board Member and Director. He owns a minorpercentage of shares in Mediacorp Investments (Pvt) Limited.

Vincent Prabodha Silva – Board Member and Director. He is also a Director atMediacorp Investments (Pvt) Limited.

Maleeka Chamari Silva Sirisenege – Board Member and Director.

Prasad Karunarathne is the General Manager of Asia BroadcastingCorporation (Pvt) Limited.

Executive Board

Other Influential People


September 2018


Accessed on 7 Sep 2018






8 September 2018


accessed 3 September 2018


September 2018

Headlines



1199 / 1471











12 September 2018






September 2018


2018


2018

Information on Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited (ABC) wasobtained through the official website of the company as well as secondarysources. Information on the Chairperson Rayynor Silva was also available onthe official website of Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited. Details about theownership structure and board of directors was gathered through the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. Thedesignations of the key individuals at Sooriyan FM were confirmed uponcontacting the station directly and also speaking with the Director ofProgramming. While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reachedout to Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited by formally requesting forthe company’s information on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond tothe aforementioned request. The Central Bank’s average exchange rate for2007 (110.62) was used to convert the amounts into USD. Viewership datawas obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for theyear 2017, while listenership data was gathered for the period of January-November 2017.


on 3 September 2018


September 2018

Meta Data

Sources



1200 / 1471













September 2018









2018






1201 / 1471











EAP Broadcasting Company LimitedEAP Broadcasting Company Limited, previously EAP Networks until2013, oversees both television and radio broadcasting outlets. Thetelevision outlets under the company are Swarnavahini and ETV.Meanwhile, the radio outlets under the company are Shree FM, E FMand RanOne FM. In December 2016, a significant percentage of thecompany's shares were transferred to a finance company within theEAP Group of companies i.e. ETI Finance Limited. However, in March2017, ETI Finance Limited reportedly had a deficit of LKR 17.5 billion.Owing to this financial crisis, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka tookcontrol over the parent company, EAP Holdings earlier this year.Subsequently, certain subsidiaries of EAP Holdings, including EAPBroadcasting Company Limited, were sold.

While it was reported that Jaya Sudhir Jayaratnam was negotiating a sale on behalf of the Singapore-basedcompany Straits Grid Pte. Limited, EAP Broadcasting Corporation Limited was sold to Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limitedand the Singapore-based company, Blue Summit Capital Management Pte. Limited. Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limitedis owned by Alexis Indrajit Lovell. Meanwhile, Portugal-based Pettigo Comercio Internacional Lda owns BlueSummit Capital Management Pte. Limited.

In 2015, Pettigo Comercio Internacional Lda used legal means to reclaim a domain name – Lycamovie.com(Claim Number: FA1507001627362). This domain name is one of the trademarks registered under PettigoComercio Internacional Lda. Other trademarks include: Lycamobile, Lyca and Lycafly. Lycamobile and Lyca arelisted as trademarks for UK-based mobile services and telecommunications businesses respectively.Subaskaran Allirajah is listed as a Director of Lycamobile, Lycamobile Sweden as well as Lyca EntertainmentEurope. He is also the majority shareholder in these companies.

Key facts

Mother Company

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited and Blue Summit Capital Management Pte. Limited

Private

Limited liability company




1202 / 1471



Ownership

Individual OwnerAlexis Indrajit Lovell

Alexis Indrajit Lovell owns 59.99 percent ofEAP Broadcasting Corporation Limitedthrough Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited. Atpresent, he holds the post of Chairpersonat National Asset Management Limitedand Union Bank Finance Co. Limited. He isalso a Director at the Associated ElectricalCorporation Limited and Real InvestmentHoldings Pte. Limited. Since 04 January2019 he has been serving as anIndependent Non-Executive Director atSerendib Engineering Group PLC. In 2011,he served as a Non-Executive Director atUnion Bank Finance Co. Limited.

60%


Allirajah Subaskaran is the majorityshareholder and Chairperson ofLycamobile UK Limited, which owns 40percent of EAP Broadcasting Limitedthrough Pettigo Comercio InternacionalLda. As founder of the Lycamobile Groupof companies, he is also the Chairpersonof Lycamoney, Lycatel and Lycafly. Atpresent, Lycatel and Lycamobile havespanned over 23 countries. In 2010,Allirajah established the GnanamFoundation with his mother, GnanambikaiAllirajah and his wife, Prema(Premantharshini) Subaskaran. Thefoundation provides funding for projectswhich improve livelihoods and educationfor underprivileged communities.

40%



1203 / 1471







Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets

ETV

E FM (0.10%)

RanOne FM (0.70)

Facts

Business

General Information

Lyca GroupTelecommunications

Missing Data


Missing Data

Founding Year


Employees



1204 / 1471




Management


PV2034

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Thomas Mathew – as per the annual returns available for the year 2018 at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies, the CEO is listed as a Malaysian-basedindividual, Thomas Mathew. Ceased to be a Director on 30 November 2018.

Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe – Executive Director at Swarnamahal FinancialServices PLC. He also serves as a Director in over 15 companies, many ofwhich are affiliated with the EAP Group of companies. In July 2018, it wasreported that Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe, along with three other Directorsfrom the EAP Group, had been issued a travel ban by the Colombo FortMagistrate, Lanka Jayaratne. On 10 July 2018, the Central Bank of Sri Lankaissued a public notice requesting for information on the assets and propertiesheld by the aforementioned Directors. As per the data available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies for May 2018, he is listed as a Directorof EAP Broadcasting Company Limited.

Executive Board



1205 / 1471





Further Information

Anjali Deepa Edirisinghe – Deepa Edirisinghe is the daughter of the late SomaEdirisinghe, who previously managed the EAP Group of companies. Sheserves as a Director for many of the same companies as Asanka SrimalEdirisinghe. In 2017, Deepa announced that she would contest in the LocalGovernment Election through the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). She wasalso reportedly appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena as the ColomboDistrict Organiser for the SLFP. Akin to Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe, Deepa wasalso issued a travel ban. Additionally, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka includedher name in the list of Directors the bank was monitoring with regards toownership of properties and assets. As per the data available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies, she is listed as a Director for EAPBroadcasting Company Limited.

Omar Siraj Qandeel – reportedly serves on the Board of Switzerland-basedBlueOrchard, which is a leading impact investment manager worldwide,especially focusing on inclusive finance such as microfinance. As per the dataavailable at the Department of Registrar of Companies for May 2018, he islisted as a Director.

Don Cyril Rodrigo – also known as Cyril Rodrigo, is the founder and CEO of S-Net Freight (Holdings) Pte. Limited, a Singapore-based freight company. Hehas previously held the positions of Cargo Marketing Manager for CathayPacific, Marketing Manager for AEI and Asia Pacific Vice President for EmeryWorldwide. As per the data available at the Department of Registrar ofCompanies for May 2018, he is listed as a Director.

Paul Xavier Kelly – as per the data available at the Department of Registrar ofCompanies for May 2018, he is listed as an Investment Manager. Ceased to bea director on 30 November 2018.

Christopher Donald Michael Tooley - On 23 October 2018, Christopher DonaldMichael Tooley was appointed as a Director. However, he ceased to be aDirector on 05 December 2018.

Raishankar Balasingham - Appointed as a Director on 23 October 2018.

Aiadurai Sivasamy Premanathan - Appointed as a Director on 23 October2018.



1206 / 1471




Sunday Times (2018), Accessed on 23 September 2018





Union Bank appoints Alexis Indrajit Lovell as Chairman by the Daily News


The official website of EAP Holdings has been under construction for over twomonths, making the access to the company’s present ownership difficult toobtain. As such, the MOM research team referenced several newspaperreports in addition to gathering shareholder details through the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The mostrecent data was available for the year 2017. However, documents on thetransfer of shares and Executive Board was for the year 2018. EAPBroadcasting Company Limited has not filed an annual return since thetransfer of shares to Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited and Ben Holdings (Pvt)Limited. Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited also does not have an officialwebsite. Information on Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited was obtained fromthe Singapore Registrar of Companies. Meanwhile, the link between PettigoComercio Internacional Lda, the shareholding company of Blue SummitCapital Pte. Limited, and Lycamobile was established through the court casein 2015 where Pettigo Commercio Internacional LDA won the case over theuse of domain name lycamovie.com. While the Media Ownership Monitorresearch team reached out to EAP Broadcasting Company Limited by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 25 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request. MOM Team contacted BenHoldings (Pvt) Limited for more details on the management of EAPBroadcasting Company Limited and Swarnavahini in particular. A new writtenrequest was sent to Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited on 1 October 2018. Viewershipdata was obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) forthe year 2017, while listenership data was gathered for the period of January-November 2017.

Headlines



Meta Data



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Sunday Times (2017), Accessed 10 August 2018





Who is Jaya Sudir Jayaram and why is he in Sri Lanka? by News First (2018)


The Oil-For-Food Scandal Revisited by Malaysia Today (2008), Accessed on

24 September 2018

Union Bank welcomes Alex Lovell as new Chairman by the Daily FT (2012),


Lovell takes over as Union Bank's head honcho by The Sunday Times


First 60 units of ‘The One’ sold to overseas Sri Lankans, businessmen here

by the Sunday Times (2018), Accessed on 19 September 2018

Sources



1208 / 1471









https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/01/02/jaya-sudir-jayaram-sri-lanka-video/

https://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/07/01/the-oil-for-food-scandal-revisited/

http://www.ft.lk/article/85584/Union-Bank-welcomes-Alex-Lovell-as-new-Chairman


http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180325/business-times/first-60-units-of-the-one-sold-to-overseas-sri-lankans-businessmen-here-287127.html




To See by Forbes (2017), Accessed on 22 September 2018





Sustained Growth Through Sustainability- UB Finance Annual Report for

2017


Permenant Certificate: Pettigo Comercio Internacional Lda

Documents



1209 / 1471




https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5937&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=bfe35f36635fefc79406632288ae9ab9


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5932&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=54a95c86013e4536a03609f33b3dca96



ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt)LimitedASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limited is the company which owns the radio station Neth FM. Currently, NihalSeneviratne Epa and EPA Holdings own all of ASSET Radio Broadcasting Company (Pvt) Limited's shares. NethFM is a radio station which airs Sinhala language programmes. These include news segments, investigativeshows and popular music.

Key facts

Mother Company

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited

Private


Radio Broadcasting

Ownership

Individual OwnerNihal Seneviratne Epa 100%

Other Media Outlets

Other Online Outlets http://nethnews.lk/category/3

http://nethgossip.lk/



1210 / 1471



http://nethnews.lk/category/3

http://nethgossip.lk/



Facts

General Information


Management

2008

Missing Data

Missing Data

ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limited11B Ocean Tower Building, Station Road, Bambalapitya, Colombo 04News line: (+94) 112507078General: (+94) 115347347Email: [email protected]

Website: nethfm.lk

PV12423

Founding Year


Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Nihal Seneviratne Epa- is the Chairperson, as well as a Director andshareholder at ASSET Radio Broadcasting Company (Pvt) Limited.

Executive Board



1211 / 1471


https://nethfm.lk/



Further Information

Asanga Priyantha Jayasooriya- is the current CEO and Director at ASSET RadioBroadcasting Company (Pvt) Limited. He is the Vice Chairperson of Sri LankaElectronic Media Broadcasters’ Grid (SLEMBG).

Annual Report Dialog Telekom (2006), Accessed on 18 August 2018

Sri Lanka's Dialog Telekom moves into television services by Lanka

Business Online (2006), Accessed on 18 August 2018

Standing Apart by Business Today (2018), Accessed on 18 August 2018

Unethical media practices by Neth FM by GroundViews (2016), Accessed

on 18 August 2018

Neth FM excels by The Sunday Times (2014), Accessed on 18 August 2018

Neth FM resolves law suit on Rights Issue by the DailyFT (2012), Accessed

on 17 August 2018

BASL Condemns Attack On Lawyers Using Neth FM And Expresses

Support For Lawyers Wrongfully Named by the Colombo Telegraph (2014),


Four Play by Lanka Business Online (2006), Accessed on 28 September

2018

Headlines





1212 / 1471

https://www.dialog.lk/dialogdocroot/content/pdf/annual_reports/2006_annual_report_en.pdf

http://ftp.lankabusinessonline.com/news/sri-lankas-dialog-telekom-moves-into-television-services/1019944875


https://groundviews.org/2016/07/14/unethical-media-practices-by-neth-fm/

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/141228/magazine/neth-fm-excels-128437.html

http://www.ft.lk/article/63771/Neth-FM-resolves-law-suit-on-Rights-Issue

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/basl-condemns-attack-on-lawyers-using-neth-fm-and-expresses-support-for-lawyers-wrongfully-named/

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/four-play/



The official website of Neth FM does not provide sufficient information aboutthe channel’s ownership. Meanwhile, secondary sources also remaininadequate to determine both the founder and details related to theownership of the outlet. As such, shareholder details were gathered throughthe annual returns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies.The most recently available data for ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limitedand EPA Holdings (Pvt) Limited was from the year 2017. Listenership data wasgathered from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year2017 (January- November). While the Media Ownership Monitor researchteam reached out to ASSET Radio Broadcasting (Pvt) Limited by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 25 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request.

Profile, Nihal Seneviratne Epa by the Chamber of Young Lankan

Entrepreneurs (2016), Accessed on 19 August 2018

Official website of Neth FM (2018), Accessed on 19 August 2018

Neth FM Balumgala (2018), Accessed on 19 August 2018

Electronic media broadcasters acted responsibly - SLEMBG by the Daily

News (2018), Accessed on 14 October 2018

‘Neth’ foresees a bright future by the Sunday Times (2007), Accessed on 15

October 2018

Guide to Media 2017

Meta Data

Sources

Documents



1213 / 1471


https://nethfm.lk/about-us

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqEJfuHH218M_n7DkjIj3VA

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/03/10/local/145119/electronic-media-broadcasters-acted-responsibly-slembg

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/071111/TV/tv-times000027.html




The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimitedThe Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited is one of Sri Lanka’slargest business conglomerates that has subsidiaries in severalfields including media, plastics, packaging, electrical, chemicals,personal care and consumer products, tea, entertainment andcommunication, information communication technology (ICT),services and projects. The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limitedtraces its roots to 1938. Officially, the company was incorporated in1967. The company was founded by Sinnathamby Rajandram andSubramaniam Mahadevan. R. Rajamahendran, who is the currentChairperson, is the son of Sinnathamby Rajandram.

MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited and MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited are theMaharaja Group’s subsidiaries in the media sector. MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited, a media company dedicated toradio broadcasting, has five radio stations: Yes FM, Sirasa FM, Shakthi FM, Y FM, and Legends FM. The Sinhalalanguage media outlet Sirasa FM has an audience reach of 12.88 percent. English language stations Yes FM andLegends FM have an audience reach of 0.20 percent and 0.04 percent respectively. The Tamil language channelShakthi FM has an audience reach of 5.94 percent, while the bilingual Sinhala and English language radiostation Y FM has an audience reach of 3.70 percent.

MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited has three TV channels namely, Shakthi TV, Sirasa TV and TV 1 under its wing. Sinhalalanguage channel Sirasa TV has an audience reach of 15.4 percent while the Tamil language channel Shakthi TVhas an audience reach of 6.1 percent. The newly established TV 1 has an audience reach of 0.7 percent.

Presently, The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited is owned by Rajandram Rajamahendran, also referred toas R. Rajamahendran, and his son Sashidharan Rajamahendran. R. Rajamahendran owns 0.003 percent ofdirect shares in the company. However, he and his son Sashidharan Rajamahendran own a significantpercentage of the company and other shareholding companies through Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited.



1214 / 1471



Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Radio and TV broadcasting, plastics, packaging, electrical, chemicals, personalcare and consumer products, tea, media, entertainment and communication,information communication technology (ICT), services and projects.

Ownership


Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Yes FM (0.20%)

Legends FM (0.04%)

http://sirasatv.lk/


http://tv1.lk/live/

http://sirasa.com/


http://www.yesfmonline.com/

http://yfm.lk/



1215 / 1471



http://sirasatv.lk/


http://tv1.lk/live/

http://sirasa.com/



http://yfm.lk/



Facts

Media Business

Business

TV broadcasting | MTV Channel (Pvt) LimitedRadio broadcasting | MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited

Media Business

MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited

MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited


S-lon Industrial Plastics (Pvt) Limited







Tuffline Limited




TV Broadcasting

Radio Broadcasting

Plastics

Tea

Chemicals

Packaging

Electrical

Personal Care



1216 / 1471



General Information





Stein Studios, Maharaja Entertainments (Pvt) Limited







ICT

Services

Projects

Entertainment

Unknown

Uknown

Management

1938

Subramaniam Mahadevan and Sinnathamby Rajandram are the founders ofThe Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited. Mahadevan and Rajandramworked together at Beer and Co. as guarantee brokers. Mahadevan wasappointed as its Manager after Beer and Co. was taken over by Dodge andSeymour in 1935. Dodge and Seymour ceased to exist in Sri Lanka and inorder to take over the client base, both Mahadevan and Rajandramestablished several companies including Mahadevan's Limited, RajandramLimited, Stirling Products and Maharaja Distribution.

Founding Year




1217 / 1471




Management

Mahadevan passed away in 1957, and Sinnathamby Rajandram took over themanagement of the companies they had established. SinnathambyRajandram’s sons, Rajandram Maharaja and Rajandram Rajamahendran (alsoreferred to as R. Rajamahendran), eventually took over the company in 1965.With the restriction of imports into the country in 1959, they establishedseveral companies such as Parker Quick Ink, Ponds Cosmetic, Chemway andS-Lon PVC. These companies eventually became the forerunners to thecurrent The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited. Although the roots of thecompany were formed since the 1930s, the company with the name TheCapital Maharaja Organisation Limited was formally incorporated only in1967.

Missing Data

The Capital Maharaja Organisation LimitedNo. 146, Dawson Street, Colombo 2Tel: + 94 11 4792 600, +94 11 2448 354, +94 11 2430 037Fax: +94 11 2447 308Email: [email protected]

Website: www.capitalmaharaja.com

PB295

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






1218 / 1471


http://http//www.capitalmaharaja.com/




Rajandram Rajamahendran – the Chairperson of The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited and owns the company, as well as the othershareholding companies of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited and itssubsidiaries with his son Sashidharan Rajamahendran. RajandramRajamahendran serves as a Director at several companies affiliated with theMaharaja Group.

Rajamahendran Sashidaran – the son of Rajandram Rajamahendran and isalso a Managing Director at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.Additionally, he serves as a Director at Tuffline Limited and Capital Holdings(Pvt) Limited, among several other companies affiliated with the MaharajaGroup. He and Rajandram Rajamahendran own Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited.

Arun Pradeep Maharaja – the son of Rajandram Maharaja and the nephew ofRajandram Rajamahendran. He is a Director at the Merchant Bank of SriLanka (MBSL).

Eshini Champika Mudalige – Director at Tuffline Limited, in addition to being aDirector at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.

Manmohan Bharara – the CEO of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limitedand the Director of Kansai Paints Lanka (Pvt) Limited.

Nicola Karen Nedra Weerasinghe – Group Director for Electronic MediaBusiness at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.

Susil Chandra Weerasekera – Director at The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited.

Kirubaharan Kumarakulasingham – Director at Tuffline Limited.

Chandima Rodrigo Weliwitage – Director at The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited.

Brahmana Waduge Anuradha Jayasinghe Galapita – Group Director forTuffline Limited.

Jayalath Suranga Bandara Wijeyasiri Weeraparakrama Mahapa – serves as aDirector at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.

Shanthi Bhagirathan – Group Director for MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited andStein Studios – MTV Channels (Pvt) Limited.

Executive Board



1219 / 1471



Further Information

Wilson Fitzroy Srilal Ahangama – the Group Finance Director at The CapitalMaharaja Organisation Limited and also serves as a Director at TufflineLimited.

John Chevaan Devavarathan Daniel – He has previously worked in MTVChannel (Pvt) Limited, which is a subsidiary of The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited, as a News Anchor. He heads the News First division ofthe organisation.

Leonie Seneviratne – serves as a Director at The Capital Mahraja OrganisationLimited.

Nimal de Soysa Cooke – serves as an Executive Director at The CapitalMaharaja Organisation Limited. He is also a Director at the AmericanChamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka, Tuffline Limited and Capital Holdings(Pvt) Limited, among several other companies affiliated with the MaharajaGroup.


Sandeep Vasantrao Shahapurkar – serves as a Director at The CapitalMaharaja Organisation Limited.

Rudrani Balasubramanium – has served as a Director and Company Secretaryin several companies affiliated with The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited. As per the official website of The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited, she is still listed as a Director.


41st annual convention of The Capital Maharaja Organisation by News

First (2018), Accessed on 11 September 2018

Shashi Rajamahendran, appointed Capital Maharaja MD by the Daily News


Capital Maharaja takes fight for Sri Lanka’s migrant workers to the UN by

News First (2017), Accessed on 11 September 2018

Headlines



1220 / 1471

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/04/28/41st-annual-convention-of-the-capital-maharaja-organisation/


https://www.newsfirst.lk/2017/09/25/capital-maharaja-takes-fight-sri-lankas-migrant-workers-un/



The Capital Maharaja Organisation felicitated at SAP ACE 2014 Awards by


TAPI Gas Pipeline launched: Capital Maharaja Org. represented at ground-

breaking ceremony by News First (2015), Accessed on 11 September 2018

The official website of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited does notspecify the ownership details of the organisation. Instead, it provides a list ofsome of its subsidiary companies, the board of directors and the contactdetails of the company. Not all companies under the Rajamahendran familycould be ascertained during the research process since the Department ofRegistrar of Companies documents information with regards to companiesand not individual owners. In total, 18 companies within The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited were studied. These companies often own each other,but almost always at some level include Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited, whichis directly owned by the Rajamahendrans. Chairperson RajandramRajamahendran is occasionally referred to as Kili Maharaja and R.Rajamahendran. These names are spelt differently across the cited sources.Information on the company’s shareholders was gathered through the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The mostrecent data was available for the year 2017. While the Media OwnershipMonitor research team reached out to The Capital Maharaja Organisation byformally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, thecompany did not respond to the aforementioned request. Viewership datawas obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for theyear 2017, while listenership data was gathered for the period of January-November 2017.


on 31 August 2018.




Official Website of MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited, Accessed on 12 August

2018



Meta Data

Sources



1221 / 1471

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2014/11/14/sap-ace-2014-awards-capital-maharaja-organization-limited-among-20-enterprises/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2015/12/13/natural-gas-pipeline-linking-turkmenistanafghanistanpakistan-and-india-launched/




http://www.mbc.lk/





Facebook page of Shakthi TV, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Official website of Sirasa TV, Accessed on 26 July 2018

Official website of Sirasa FM, Accessed on 11 September 2018

LinkedIn profile of Nimal S. Cooke, Accessed on 26 July 2018

Guide to Media 2017


Documents



1222 / 1471




http://sirasatv.lk/

http://sirasa.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimal-s-cooke-13a9278/?originalSubdomain=lk





ANCLThe Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL), also known asthe Lake House Group, is one of the oldest and largest newspaperhouses in the country. Presently, it publishes four daily publications(Daily News, Dinamina, Thinakaran and Resa) and three weeklypublications (Sunday Observer, Silumina and Vaaramanjari) inSinhala, Tamil and English. ANCL was founded by D.R. Wijewardeneas a private company in 1926, and is located on the street namedafter him. Following his death in 1956, the editorial policies wereoverlooked by his son-in-law Esmond Wickremesinghe. In 1973, thegovernment of Sirimavo Bandaranaike nationalised the companythrough the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon (Special Provisions)Act No. 28. A.K. Premadasa was appointed as its first Chairperson.

At present, there are 99 shareholders which includes the Department of Public Trustee, 10 institutions and 88individuals. These individuals are primarily related to the founders of ANCL or those who held shares at thecompany prior to its nationalisation. Some of these individuals include the current Prime Minister RanilWickremesinghe, who owns 0.19 percent of shares, and Ranjit Sujiva Wijewardene, the owner of WijeyaNewspapers, who owns 0.57 percent of shares. 87.56 percent of ANCL’s shares are held by the Public Trustee,which is within the Department of Public Trustee, on behalf of the government. This body comes under thepurview of the Ministry of Justice and Prison Reforms.

The ANCL Act provides for the Public Trustee to issue these shares to members of the public, which includessocieties registered under the Cooperative Societies Law, societies registered under the Societies Ordinance,trade unions registered under the Trade Unions Ordinance, public corporations, working journalists and otherpersons employed in the company, but excludes companies engaged in the business of printing or publishing anewspaper. According to the ANCL Act, no individual should exceed 2 percent of shares, thereby ensuring thatownership is not concentrated in the hands of one or a few individuals. However, transfers from the PublicTrustee to the public have not taken place despite pressure from the media sector, as well as cases filed in theSupreme Court to broadbase ownership as per the legislation. The legislation effectively concentratesownership of a large newspaper establishment under the control of a government directed institution (see theLegal Assessment for further details).



1223 / 1471



Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

State owned

Public Limited Liability Company

Printing and Publishing

Ownership


The Department of Public Trustee comesunder the purview of the Ministry ofJustice and Prison Reforms. The PublicTrustee is entrusted with upholding thefinal wishes, purposes of the estates(money and/ or property) of donors,settlers of charitable trusts within a legalframework for the utmost benefit ofbeneficiaries and/ or the general public.

87.6%

Ceylon Petroleum CorporationThe Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was established by Act. No. 28 of 1961 inparliament and remains Sri Lanka’s national oil and gas company.

1.8%


0.9%



1224 / 1471







1225 / 1471



Other Media Outlets



1226 / 1471



Other Print Outlets


Daily News (0.57%)

Dinamina (0.73%)

Thinakaran (0.27%)

Thinakaran Vaaramanjari (0.36%)

Arogya (0.11%)

Sarasawiya (0.17%)

Budusarana (0.89%)

Manchu (0.31%)

Subasetha (0.21%)

Tharunie (1.71%)

Sithmina (0.14%)

Mihithuru (0.17%)

Vanna Vaanavil (0.09%)

Resa (missing data)

Mihira (missing data)

Denamuth (missing data)

Athuru Mithuru (missing data)

Wesak Kalapaya (missing data)


http://www.resa.lk/

http://vaaramanjari.lk/



1227 / 1471


http://www.resa.lk/






http://www.sarasaviya.lk/

http://www.sathmadala.lk/

http://mihithuru.lk/

http://www.tharunie.lk/

http://www.budusarana.lk/budusarana/2018/10/02/

http://www.schoolboycricketer.lk/

http://www.dinamina.lk/

Facts

General Information

1926Founding Year



1228 / 1471












Don Richard Wijewardene, also referred to as D.R. Wijewardene, establishedthe Lake House newspapers and played a key role in Sri Lanka’sindependence movement. He entered the political arena in 1913, after beingelected as the Secretary of the Ceylon National Association. In 1914,Wijewardene, along with his brother, acquired Dinamina, a Sinhala languagedaily, and thereafter took over the English language daily, The Ceylonese, andre-named it to ‘Ceylon Daily News’. This was followed by the publication ofThinakaran, a Tamil language daily. In 1926, these newspapers wereconsolidated under the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL). Thisinstitution is presently owned by the state and publishes seven newspapers,namely, Daily News, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Resa, Sunday Observer, Siluminaand Vaaramanjari.The following well-known personalities are related to Wijewardene:



Sujan Wijewardene is D.R. Wijewardene’s grandson and the current DeputyChairperson of Wijeya Newspapers Limited.

Ranil Wickremesinghe is also D.R. Wijewardene’s grandson. He is theincumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and Leader of the United NationalParty (UNP).

Shan Wickremesinghe, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s brother, is the incumbentChairperson of Telshan Networks (Pvt) Limited (TNL), a media company.


J.R. Jayawardene is D.R. Wijewardene’s nephew, and served as the FirstExecutive President of Sri Lanka.

Missing Data

Associated Newspapers of Ceylon LimitedNo 35, D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10General: +9411 2 429 429, +9411 2 421 181, +9411 2 331 181Email: [email protected]

Website: www.lakehouse.lk


Employees

Contact



1229 / 1471


http://http//www.lakehouse.lk/





Management

PB114Tax/ ID Number

0.14 Mio. $ / 20.6 Mio. LKR

Missing Data

0.02 Mio. $ / 2.54 Mio. LKR




Krishantha Prasad Cooray – is the Chairperson of the Associated Newspapersof Ceylon Limited. In Sri Lanka’s media sphere, he has previously held anexecutive position at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited and oversawthe news broadcasts by the company’s TV and radio stations. He reportedlyplayed a key role in establishing the Rivira Media Corporation (Pvt) Limitedunder the Richard Peiris Group and served there as founding Director andCEO. The Nation and Rivira were launched under his direction. However,Rivira ceased its English publication, The Nation, in 2017.

Sugath Chandrasiri Bandara Senaviratne – Director and Board Member

Basnayake Mudiyanselage Dushyanta Bandara Basnayake – Director andBoard Member

Mohan Ray Abeywardena – Director and Board Member. He is on the Boardof Directors at the Colombo Stock Exchange, Lanka Ventures Limited, AsiaSiyaka Limited, Asian Alliance Insurance PLC. He is a Managing Director atAcuity Partners (Pvt) Limited, Chairperson at Acuity Stockbrokers (Pvt)Limited, Chairperson at Acuity Securities Limited, Independent Non-ExecutiveDirector at Asia Siyaka Limited, Independent Non-Executive Director at AsianAlliance Insurance PLC, Executive Director at Guardian Acuity AssetManagement Limited, and a Member at The Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Executive Board



1230 / 1471



Further Information

Ranatunge Arachchige Dona Umashanthie Rajamanthri (nee) Jayawardana –Director and Board Member

Is Lake House Government property? by The Island (2008), Accessed on 10

September 2018

Lake House Directors To Be Replaced: Presidential Committee Finds Fault

With Editorial Director by Colombo Telegraph (2017), Accessed on 10

September 2018

Another Sinhala newspaper launched by the Sunday Times (2008),


Newspaper Circulation Figures, A Big Lie by Counterpoint (2018), Accessed


The official website of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited haslimited information on the management structure, although someinformation on the current board of directors was displayed. Hence,secondary sources were referenced to compile the required data. Informationon the shareholders was gathered through the annual returns available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies. The most recent data was availablefor the year 2016. Readership data was obtained from the Kantar LankaMarket Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017. While the MediaOwnership Monitor research team reached out to ANCL by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request.

The official website of Associated Newspapers Ceylon Limited, Accessed in

September 2018

Official website of Silumina, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Official website of Resa, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Headlines



Meta Data

Sources



1231 / 1471

http://www.island.lk/2008/06/04/opinion2.html

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/lake-house-directors-to-be-replaced-presidential-committee-finds-fault-with-editorial-director/

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080810/FunDay/fundaytimes_2.html

http://counterpoint.lk/newspaper-circulation-figures-a-big-lie/



http://www.resa.lk/



Official website of Thinakaran Vaaramanjari, Accessed on 21 September

2018

Official website of the Sunday Observer, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Official website of Sarasaviya, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Official Website of Sathmadala, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Official Website of Mihithuru, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Official Website of Tharunie, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Official Website of Budusarana, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Official Website of Schoolboy Cricketer, Accessed on 21 September 2018

Official Website of Dinamina, Accessed on 21 September October 2018

Krishantha Cooray takes over as Lake House Chairman by the Daily FT


Market Screener profile on Krishantha Cooray, Accessed on 10 September

2018

Market Screener profile on Ray Abeywardena, Accessed on 3 October

2018

Ray Abeywardena appointed as new chairman at CSE by Lanka Business

Online (2017), Accessed on 3 October 2018

Official Website of Acuity, Director Board, Accessed on 3 October 2018

Website of Softlogic Life, Board of Directors, Accessed on 3 October 2018

Sri Lanka Equity Forum, Accessed on 3 October 2018




1232 / 1471










http://www.ft.lk/front-page/krishantha-cooray-takes-over-as-lake-house-chairman/44-628837

https://www.marketscreener.com/business-leaders/Krishantha-Cooray-0FBXWC-E/biography/

https://www.marketscreener.com/business-leaders/Ray-Abeywardena-0BT22Y-E/biography/

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/ray-abeywardena-appointed-as-new-chairman-at-cse/

http://www.acuity.lk/director-board/

http://www.softlogiclife.lk/who-we-are/board-of-director/

http://forum.srilankaequity.com/t10925-colombo-bourse-tests-resistance-levels







1233 / 1471




Upali Newspapers (Pvt) LimitedFounded by Upali Wijewardene in 1978, Upali Newspapers (Pvt)Limited is a publishing house which produces the English languagenewspaper, The Island, and the Sinhala language newspaper,Divaina. Although the company was incorporated in 1978,publications of the Divaina Irida Sangrahaya and the Sunday Islandcommenced in October, 1981. The daily editions of these paperslaunched in the following year. In 1983, Upali Wijewardene waslegally declared deceased when his private jet disappeared on ahome-bound flight from Malaysia, shortly after take-off. After Upalipassed away in 1983, the ownership of the company wastransferred to his wife Lakmani Ratwatte Welgama. The company isjust one among many other businesses Upali Wijewardene is knownto have established.

Key facts

Mother Company

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Upali Investment Holdings Limited

Private

Private Limited Liability Company

Publishing; Aviation; Travel; Food and Beverages; Automobiles

Ownership




1234 / 1471





OtherWhile the Welgama family owns 94 percent of shares at Upali Newspapers(Pvt) Limited, through Upali Investment Holdings Limited 102 other minorityshareholders own 6 percent of Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited.

6%

Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


The Island (0.13%)

Sunday Island (0.57%)

Rejina (0.25%)

Vidusara (0.90%)

Nawaliya (0.27%)

https://www.island.lk/

https://www.divaina.com/

Facts

Business

Upali Consumer Products (100%)

Upali Motor Company (100%)

Upali Trading Company (100%)

Consumer Products

Motor Trading



1235 / 1471





General Information

Upali Travels (4%)

Ceylon Chocolates (85%)

Upali Management Services (100%)

Upali Aviation Services (100%)

Upali Airconditioning Services (100%)

Upali Investments (100%)

Upali Food and beverages (69%)

Upali Publishers (100%)

Upali Enterprises (79%)

Upali Nurseries (23%)

Travels

Confectionary

Corporate Services

Aviation

Air Conditioning Services

Finances

Food and Beverages

Publishing

Services

Agriculture

1978


Missing Data

Founding Year


Employees



1236 / 1471




Management



PV8654

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Lakmani Ratwatte – Majority Shareholder. She is the daughter of the late Dr.Seevali Ratwatte, who served as the Chairperson of the Upali Group ofnewspapers.

Nimal Weerasiri Welgama – Shareholder, Managing Director at UpaliNewspapers and husband of Lakmani Rawatte. His brother Kumara Welgamais a Member of Parliament.

Anula Attygala – Board Member.

Sudhammika Kemida Attygala – Assistant Brand Manager at Hemas HoldingsPLC.

Julius Asoka Duke Lanarolle – Board Member.

Lahiru Gunasekere – Board Member.

Executive Board



1237 / 1471






Further Information

Dehiwalage Anthony Lakshman Perera – Board Member.

Remembering Dr Seevali Ratwatte by the Sunday Observer (2015),


Upali Wijewardene: The Kandos Man by Roar Media (2015), Accessed on

22 September 2018

Downs & Ups Of The Wijewardenes by the Colombo Telegraph (2015),


Sri Lankan millionaire Upali Wijewardene goes missing in his Learjet,

massive search on by India Today (2013), Accessed on 28 September 2018


28 September 2018

The details on shares were obtained from the Department of Registrar ofCompanies. Subsidiary and affiliated companies, along with Upali InvestmentHoldings Limited’s proportion of ownership, was filed with the Department ofRegistrar of Companies. However, it was not clear as to what industry some ofthese companies spanned over since Upali Investment Holdings Limited, andmost subsidiary companies, do not have websites. Readership data wasobtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year2017.

Nimal Welgama, Chairman Sri Lanka Telecom, Business Today YouTube

Channel (29 December 2014), Accessed on 22 August 2018

Asian Communication Handbook (2008), Accessed on 22 September 2018

75th Annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera by The Island (2002), Accessed on

4 October 2018

Headlines



Meta Data

Sources



1238 / 1471

http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2001/pix/PrintPage.asp?REF=/2015/11/29/spe-for-02.asp

https://roar.media/english/tech/insights/upali-wijewardene-the-kandos-man/


https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/neighbours/story/19830331-sri-lankan-millionaire-upali-wijewardene-goes-missing-in-his-learjet-massive-search-on-770573-2013-07-23


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66FszrfE9Eg

https://books.google.lk/books?id=Wo9YWvrWFcIC&redir_esc=y

http://www.island.lk/2002/01/27/content.html



Lahiru Gunasekera Profile, LinkedIn profile of Lahiru Gunasekara (2018),




1239 / 1471

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lahiru-gunasekara-a424a924/?originalSubdomain=lk



SLBCAccording to the official website of the Sri Lanka BroadcastingCorporation (SLBC), Colombo Radio was the first radio station inAsia, after launching on 16 December 1925. It then expanded tonation-wide broadcasting, and by 1949, under the call sign ‘RadioCeylon’, it was organised as a separate government department.Subsequently, in 1967, the broadcasting department was convertedto a state corporation via the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation ActNo. 37 of 1966. In 1972, the name Ceylon transformed and becamethe ‘Republic of Sri Lanka’, which compelled the Ceylon BroadcastingCorporation to change its title to the Sri Lanka BroadcastingCorporation. SLBC has since continued in the same legal status as astate corporation and is currently listed under the scope of theMinistry of Finance and Mass Media of the Government of Sri Lanka. The SLBC is engaged in broadcastingactivities through 7 National radio stations, 6 Regional radio stations and 4 Community radio stations.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

State owned

Public Enterprise/ Commerical Corporation

Radio broadcasting and issuing broadcasting licenses to private radiostations.

Ownership


The SLBC oversees all state-owned radiostations. It falls within the purview of theMinistry of Finance and Mass Media.

100%



1240 / 1471





Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


City FM (0.26%)

SLBC National Service (1.31%)

SLBC Commercial Service (0.63%)

Radio Sri Lanka (0.12%)

Vidula (0.01%)

Yal FM (0.00%)

Rajarata (0.09%)

Ruhuna (0.14%)

Uva (0.05%)

Wayamba (0.01%)

Kandurata (0.10%)

Thendral (0.41%)

Pirei (0.03%)

Sports Service

Muslim Service

Education Service

Tamil Commercial Service

http://www.slbc.lk/



1241 / 1471

http://www.slbc.lk/



Facts

General Information


Management

Founded in 1925. Incoproated in 1967.

Edward Harper founded Colombo Radio which later became the Sri LankaBroadcasting Corporation (SLBC). Also known as the ‘father of broadcasting inCeylon’, Edward was a British engineer and served as the Chief Engineer ofTelegraphs. SLBC was incorporated under the Sri Lanka BroadcastingCorporation Act. No. 37 of 1966.

Missing Data

SLBCPO BOX 574, Colombo 7Tel: +94 112 697 491Fax: +94 112 691 568Website: www.slbc.lk

Missing Data

Founding Year


Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

8.99 Mio. $ / 1.371 Mio. LKR

0.49 Mio. $ / 75 Mio. LKR

Missing Data






1242 / 1471

http://http//www.slbc.lk/

http://www.slbc.lk/



Further Information

Siddi Mohamed Farook – was appointed Chairperson of the Sri LankaBroadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in December 2017 by the Minister of Financeand Mass Media, Mangala Samaraweera. He is described as an entrepreneurin the field of Telecommunications and served as the CEO of Pan Asia PowerPLC, prior to joining the SLBC. He is also a Board Member at the Sri LankaRupavahini Corporation (SLRC).

M.J.R. David – Working Director and Board Member. He is a Senior Lecturer,Mass Communication at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and aResearch Associate at IKM Emergent in the UK. He formerly served as aProducer at the BBC and Project Manager and Director at UNESCO, Sri Lanka.

Navin Shanaka – Director and Board Member.

Maheshani Kolonne – Director and Board Member.

Saman Muthukumarana – Director and Board Member.

Executive Board

New Chairman appointed to SLBC by the Daily News (2017), Accessed on

15 September 2018

Update: TRCSL claims no undue ambition behind shutting down TNL

transmission by the Sunday Times (2018), Accessed on 15 September

2018

New State media heads appointed by the Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed on

15 September 2018

Siddi Mohamed Farook appointed new SLBC Chairman by the Daily News,


Making waves by the Daily Mirror (2015), Accessed on 15 September 2018

SLBC Chief blasts BBC buffoons by the Asian Tribune (2008), Accessed on

15 September 2018

Headlines



1243 / 1471

http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/12/13/local/137210/new-chairman-appointed-slbc

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1043965/update-trcsl-claims-no-undue-ambition-behind-shutting-down-tnl-transmission


http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/12/13/local/137222/siddi-mohamed-farook-appointed-new-slbc-chairman

http://www.dailymirror.lk/99687/making-waves

http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/14468



BBC suspends Sri Lanka broadcasts after 'interference' in Tamil

programming by NDTV (2013), Accessed on 5 September 2018

SLBC has a website with limited information on the management structure.As such, secondary sources were referenced. The Annual Report of 2017 bythe Ministry of Finance reveals that SLBC has not submitted its Annual Reportsince 2014. There are also no individual websites for each radio channel,instead they are all featured on SLBC's official website. The names of theBoard Members were confirmed upon contacting the Legal Officer at SLBC .The Central Bank’s average exchange rate for 2017 (152.45) was used toconvert the amounts into USD. While the Media Ownership Monitor researchteam reached out to the SLBC by formally requesting for the company’sinformation on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request. Listenership data was obtained from the KantarLanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017 (January-November).

SLBC official website, Accessed on 16 September 2018

Radio Stations in Sri Lanka by Asian Waves, Accessed on 16 September

2018

Annual Report 2017 by Ministry of Finance, Accessed on 14 September

2018

M J R David LinkedIn profile, Accessed on 28 September 2018

Siddi Mohamed Farook appointed as new SLBC chairman by the Daily



Guide to Media 2017



Meta Data

Sources

Documents



1244 / 1471

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bbc-suspends-sri-lanka-broadcasts-after-interference-in-tamil-programming-517374

http://www.slbc.lk/

https://www.asiawaves.net/sri-lanka-radio.htm#slbcnat

https://media.gov.lk/images/news/2018/June/annual-report-2017.pdf

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjrdavid/?originalSubdomain=lk






SLRCThe Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) is a state-owned mediainstitution. The SLRC currently comes under the purview of theMinistry of Defence. The SLRC was established by the parliamentunder the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act No. 6 of 1982 toprovide a national television service. Mapatunage James Perera isconsidered to be the founding Chairperson of the SLRC.

In 1992, the government permitted private investors to enter thefield of television broadcasting under the control and supervision ofthe SLRC. In relation to issuing private TV broadcasting licenses, theMinistry overseeing SLRC uses the Rupavahini Corporation Act No. 6of 1982. Within this context, the SLRC became both an operator ofTV outlets as well as a regulating body which was responsible for the provision of transmission licenses.

All board members of the SLRC are appointed by the respective Minister overseeing SLRC. The criteria specifiedfor appointments includes the member having to disclose the nature and extent of shares, if any, held incompanies the Corporation has entered into a contract with. The Minister may also make temporaryappointments and removals of members without providing a basis for these decisions. The arrangement hasbeen criticised by academia and the press for its lack of independence and transparency as well as possiblyserving political purposes. (see Legal Assessment)

Currently, the SLRC manages three TV channels: Rupavahini, Channel Eye and Nethra TV. The Sinhala languagechannel Rupavahini has an audience reach of 4.3 percent. Channel Eye, an English language channel, andNethra TV, a Tamil language channel, broadcast on the same TV frequency. They collectively have an audiencereach of 3.2 percent. Another English language channel, NTV, operated between 2009 and 2015, but owing tolow ratings, it ceased broadcasting.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

State owned

Public Enterprise/ Commerical Corporation

TV broadcasting and issuing broadcasting licenses to private TV stations.



1245 / 1471



Ownership


The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation(SLRC) comes under the purview of theMinistry of Finance and Mass Media. Thisgovernment body also oversees otherdivisions such as the Department ofInformation, the Independent TelevisionNertwork Limited (ITN), the Sri LankaBroadcasting Corporation (SLBC), theAssociated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited(ANCL) and the Sri Lanka Press Councilamong several others.

100%

Other Media Outlets

Other Online Outlets http://www.rupavahini.lk/



Facts

General Information

1982

The state under the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act No. 6 of 1982.

Missing Data

Founding Year


Employees



1246 / 1471









Management

Sri Lanka Rupavahini CorporationNo. 2204, Torrington Square, Colombo 7General: +94 11 250 1050, +94 11 599 506Fax: +94 11 258 0929Email: [email protected]


Missing Data

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

14 Mio. $ / 2.139 Mio. LKR

-1.2 Mio. $ / -196 Mio. LKR

Missing Data





Nawaz Mohammed – Working Director and Board Member at SLRC

Saranga Wijerathne – Director General and Board Member at SLRC

Sithendra Senaratne – Chairperson of the National Film Corporation andBoard Member at SLRC

Executive Board



1247 / 1471






Further Information

Siddi Mohamed Farook – was appointed Chairperson of the Sri LankaBroadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in December 2017 by the Minister of Financeand Mass Media, Mangala Samaraweera. He is described as an entrepreneurin the field of Telecommunications and served as the CEO of Pan Asia PowerPLC prior to joining SLBC.

Rupavahini goes green by the Sunday Times (2017), Accessed on 31

August 2018

SLTDA and Rupavahini launch travel programme to boost domestic

tourism by the Daily Mirror (2016), Accessed on 31 August 2018

Local Terrestrial TV Broadcast Rights to Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation

by ThePapare.com (2015), Accessed on 31 August 2018

SLPI’s RTI awareness programme at SL Rupavahini Corporation by the


NFC Chairman initiates cinema discussion by the Sunday Times (2017),


Siddi Mohamad Farook appointed new SLBC Chairman by the Daily News

(2017), Accessed on 1 October 2018

The official website of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) provideslimited information on the management structure. Secondary sources andother government websites were referenced to compile data on thecompany. Viewership data was gathered from the Kantar Lanka MarketResearch Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017. While the Media OwnershipMonitor research team reached out to the SLRC by formally requesting for thecompany’s information on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond to theaforementioned request. The Central Bank's average exchange rate for 2017(152.45) was used to convert the amounts into USD.

Headlines



Meta Data



1248 / 1471

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170115/magazine/rupavahini-goes-green-224335.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/116652/SLTDA-and-Rupavahini-launch-travel-programme-to-boost-domestic-tourism

http://www.thepapare.com/local-terrestrial-tv-broadcast-rights-to-sri-lanka-rupavahini-corporation/

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170205/news/slpis-rti-awareness-programme-at-sl-rupavahini-corp-227325.html

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170917/magazine/nfc-chairman-initiates-cinema-discussion-259181.html





August 2018

Facebook page of the Rupavahini Channel, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Official website of Channel Eye, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Facebook page of Channel Eye, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Official website of Nethra TV, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Facebook page of Nethra TV, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Department of Government Printing (2019), Extraordinary Gazette No.

2140/2 (SLRC taken under the Ministry of Defence), Accessed on 24

September 2019.


Guide to Media 2017

Sources

Documents



1249 / 1471


https://www.facebook.com/srilankarupavahini/


https://www.facebook.com/EyeShuffleLive/


https://www.facebook.com/Nethra-TV-578404868846085/

http://documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2019/9/2140-02_E.pdf





ITNThe Independent Television Network Limited (ITN) is a state-ownedmedia company. Founded by Shan Wickremesinghe, the brother ofthe incumbent Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and theChairperson of Telshan Networks (Pvt) Limited (TNL), ITNcommenced its operations as a private sector company in April1979. However, it was nationalised by the Gazette Extraordinary No.39/4 of June 1979. In 1992, it was incorporated as a state-ownedpublic limited company.

Currently, ITN manages two media platforms in TV and radiobroadcasting. In the TV sector, it manages ITN and Vasantham TV.The Sinhala language ITN TV channel has an audience reach of 7percent while the Tamil language channel Vasantham TV has an audience reach of 2.4 percent. In the sector ofradio broadcasting, ITN manages ITN FM, which has an audience reach of 0.48 percent and Vasantham FM,which has an audience reach of 1.6 percent. ITN FM was formerly known as Lakhanda and this radio stationoriginated as a subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). It was incorporated into ITN in April1997. In addition to its existing radio and television outlets, ITN previously had another English language TVchannel named Prime TV and a radio station named Prime Radio Sri Lanka. Both outlets ceased broadcasting in2011.

Although ITN was formed and registered as a private company, since becoming a state-owned public company,all of its 9,500,000 shares are vested in the Secretary to the Treasury of the Government of Sri Lanka. Hence,this body comes under the purview of the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

State owned

Public Company

Radio and TV broadcasting



1250 / 1471



Ownership


The Secretary to the Treasury owns 100percent of shares of the IndependentTelevision Network Limited (ITN). Thisbody comes under the purview of theMinistry of Finance and Mass Media.

100%

Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


ITN FM (0.48%)

Vasantham FM (1.6%)

http://www.itntv.lk/


http://www.itnfm.lk/

http://www.vasanthamfm.lk/

Facts

General Information

1979Founding Year



1251 / 1471



http://www.itntv.lk/


http://www.itnfm.lk/

http://www.vasanthamfm.lk/




Management

Shan Wickremesinghe is the eldest son of Esmond Wickremesinghe and NaliniWickremesinghe (nee Wijewardene). His brother is Ranil Wickremesinghe,who is the incumbent Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the Leader of theUnited National Party (UNP). Shan founded the Independent TelevisionNetwork (ITN) in 1979. ITN is the first private TV station in the country. Shan'suncle, J.R. Jayawardene, was Sri Lanka’s first Executive President under the1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka. Under J.R. Jayawardene’s government, ITN wasconverted into a state-owned property in 1979. Shan’s maternal grandfather,D.R. Wijewardene, established the Lake House Group, which became theAssociated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL). Currently, Shan serves asthe Chairperson of Telshan Networks (Pvt) Limited, which owns the TNL TVchannel and radio station.

Missing Data

The Independent Television Network LimitedWickramasinghepura, Battaramulla 10120Tel: +94-11-2774424Website: www.itn.lk

PVS5438


Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

9.37 Mio $ / 1,429 Mio. LKR

-1.88 Mio. $ / - 287 Mio. LKR

Missing Data




Chandana Thilakarathna – is the CEO of the Independent Television NetworkLimited (ITN). He served as a Senior Consultant at China Radio International.Before joining ITN, he served as the CEO for Sath FM.

Executive Board



1252 / 1471

http://http//www.itn.lk/

http://www.itn.lk/



Further Information

Wimal Srikumara Ketipearachchi – Board Member at ITN.

Arandara Kankanamalage Don Dimal Dananjaya Arandara – Board Member atITN.

Wickramasuriya Mahamalimape Nalin Asanka Apouro – Board Member atITN.

Methsiri Hemakumara Kariyawamsa Paranavithana – Former Chairperson ofLakderana, Current Chairperson of BOC Travels - Sri Lanka and Cey-NorFoundation Limited.

Appuhamilape Subash Priyankara Pinnapola – Founder/ CEO of Storybook,Former Executive Creative Director at Leo Burnett and Chief Creative Officerat TBWA.

Selina Dulanjalee Peiris – Former Deputy Director at Office for National Unityand Reconciliation, Former Consultant at UNIDO and current BusinessDevelopment Director at Selyn.

ITN to be sold to a powerful minister by News First (2018), Accessed on 8

August 2018

Danushka Ramanayake assume duties as Working Director of ITN by The

Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka (2015), Accessed on 15

September 2018

Headlines





1253 / 1471

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/07/24/itn-to-be-sold-to-a-powerful-minister-sudarman-radaliyagoda/

https://www.news.lk/news/business/item/5909-danushka-ramanayake-assume-duties-as-working-director-of-itn



The ownership structure of the Independent Television Network Limited (ITN)is not clearly determined on its official website and there is minimalinformation on the current CEO, Chandana Thilakarathna. Financialinformation on the company was taken from the Mid-Year Fiscal PositionReport 2018 by the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media and the AnnualReport 2017 by the Ministry of Finance. Meanwhile, The Fourth Report of theCommittee on Public Enterprises which was presented by the Committee onPublic Enterprises (COPE) revealed that from 1 September 2016 to 28February 2017, many operational inefficiencies had been made onadvertisements relating to the presidential election campaigns in January2015. For instance, broadcasting advertisements to the value of Rs.101,773,058 (USD 667,583.20) were done free of charge to promote aparticular presidential campaign. However, the report does not disclose therespective presidential campaign promoted by the channel. Information onthe ITN’s shareholders was gathered through the annual returns available atthe Department of Registrar of Companies. The most recent data wasavailable for the year 2017. While the Media Ownership Monitor researchteam reached out to the Independent Television Network Limited (ITN) byformally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, thecompany did not respond to the aforementioned request. The Central Bank'saverage exchange rate for 2017 (152.45) was used to convert the amountsinto USD. Viewership data was obtained from the Kantar Lanka MarketResearch Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017, while listenership data wasgathered for the period of January- November 2017.

Official website of ITN, Accessed on 13 September 2018


13 September 2018

Lake House and D.R. Wijewardene: The informative and the pragmatist by

the Daily News (2007), Accessed on 13 September 2018

Esmond Wickremesinghe: A hero in international news media by the

Sunday Observer (2017), Accessed on 13 September 2018

Biography of late President J.R. Jayawardene, Accessed on 13 September

2018

Official website of TNL, Accessed on 13 September 2018

Meta Data

Sources



1254 / 1471

http://www.itn.lk/

https://www.media.gov.lk/institutions/department-of-government-information


http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2017/10/01/features/esmond-wickremesinghe-hero-international-news-media

https://www.britannica.com/biography/J-R-Jayewardene

http://tnltv.lk/



New State Media head appointed by the Ministry of Mass Media and

Finance (2018), Accessed on 14 September 2018

Internet Usage Among TV Stations: A Case Study of Independent

Television Network (ITN) in Sri Lanka by JAMCO Online International

Symposium (2014), Accessed on 14 September 2018

Attacks on the Press 1999: Sri Lanka by Committee to Protect Journalists


PRECIFAC recommends filing indictment against MR by the Daily News


The Current Situation of Sri Lanka TV Media and the Challenges Ahead by

JAMCO Online International Symposium (2014), Accessed on 14

September 2018

New State media heads appointed by the Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed on

8 August 2018

UNP confident of winning 276 LG bodies by the Daily Mirror (2018),


PM tried to protect Mahendran: JVP by the Daily Mirror (2018), Accessed


Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa questioned by Sri

Lanka's anti-graft panel by The Economic Times (2015), Accessed on 15

September 2018

Mahinda summoned before Presidential Commission for political mileage:

MR's Media by Lanka Business Online (2015), Accessed on 15 September

2018

Susil Premajayantha says he has no connection to Mahinda Rajapaksa's

propaganda campaign during the previous presidential election by Hiru




1255 / 1471

https://www.media.gov.lk/news-archives/1071-new-state-media-heads-appointed


https://cpj.org/2000/03/attacks-on-the-press-1999-sri-lanka.php

http://www.dailynews.lk/2018/01/24/local/140878/precifac-recommends-filing-indictment-against-mr



http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/UNP-confident-of-winning-LG-bodies-145135.html

http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/PM-tried-to-protect-Mahendran-JVP-145306.html

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/former-sri-lankan-president-mahinda-rajapaksa-questioned-by-sri-lankas-anti-graft-panel/articleshow/49076384.cms

http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/summoning-mahinda-before-presidential-commission-for-political-mileage-mr-media/

http://www.hirunews.lk/117544/susil-premajayantha-says-he-has-no-connection-to-mahinda-rajapakasas-propaganda-campaign-during-previous-presidential-election



Facebook profile of Chandana Thilakarathna, Accessed on 23 September

2018

Facebook Profile of Selyna Peiris, Accessed on 03 October 2018.

TBWAi Lanka Chief Creative Officer Subhash Pinnapola jury at ADFEST

2017 by Daily News (2017), Accessed on 03 October 2018.

Subhash Pinnapola launches Storybook by Sunday Observer (2018),

Accessed on 03 October 2018.

Facebook Profile of Methsiri Paranavithana, Accessed on 03 October 2018.


Roadmap for the Transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television

broadcasting in Sri Lanka

Guide to Media 2017


Documents



1256 / 1471

https://www.facebook.com/chandana.thilakarathna.37

https://www.facebook.com/selyna.peiris

http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/03/24/business/111382/tbwai-lanka-chief-creative-officer-subhash-pinnapola-jury-adfest-2017?page=22

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2018/01/21/business/subhash-pinnapola-launches-storybook

https://www.facebook.com/methsiri.paranavithana


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5936&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=1507ce0c92bd043c3e862a12bcfb34bc





Power House LimitedEstablished in 2008, Power House Limited is a growing media company that owns the Derana Group ofcompanies through Derana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited. Presently, FM Derana, Derana TV, Ada Derana(online) and Ada Derana 24/7 (TV) are owned by Power House Limited. Dilith Jayaweera and VaruniAmunugama Fernando are the majority shareholders; they jointly own 49.41 percent of shares in addition to 9percent of individual shares at Power House Limited. As per the national survey conducted by the Kantar LankaMarket Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017, Derana TV and FM Derana have the highest viewership andlistenership respectively.

Key facts

Mother Company

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Power House Limited

Private


Television and Radio Broadcasting, Advertising, Photography Studios, PrePress Service, Printing, Public Relations, Annual Report Design andProduction, Event Management, Digital Advertising Agency and OnlineMarketing, Below The Line Services, Audio Visual Production, Tourism

Ownership





1257 / 1471







Dilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama FernandoDilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando jointly own 49.41 percentof shares at Power House, in addition to the 9 percent (each) they ownseparately.

49.4%


2.4%


2%

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


Ada Derana 24/7 (0.3%)

http://fmderana.lk/



Facts



1258 / 1471

http://fmderana.lk/





Business

General Information

Triad (Pvt) Limited









35 KM (Pvt) Ltd

Citrus Leisure PLC

Advertising

Photography Studio

Graphic Design


Printing

Public Relations

Event Management


Branding Services


Tourism

2003Founding Year



1259 / 1471









1260 / 1471




Management


Missing Data

No. 320, 'Deutche House', T.B. Jaya Mawatha, Level 4, Colombo 10Tel: +945300800, +945300700Fax: +942506226Website: www.derana.lk

PB1399

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Dilith Jayaweera – Co-founder and Shareholder of Power House Limited.

Varuni Amunugama Fernando – Co-founder and Shareholder of Power HouseLimited.

Nimal Laksiri Wickramage – Director and Board Member. He holds 1.99% ofshares in the company.

Madhawa Kuruwita Madawala – is currently the CEO of Power House andowns 2.35% of shares in the company.

Executive Board



1261 / 1471





Further Information

‘Derana’ is born by the Sunday Times (2009), Accessed on 22 September



Triad, The Global Local by Business Today (2007), Accessed on 22

September 2018

Dilith Jayaweera takes over the reins of Derana as Chairman/MD by the

Daily FT (2015), Accessed on 22 September 2018

Power House Limited does not have a website and the official website of theoutlets relevant to the Derana Group of companies do not provide adequateinformation. As such, information was gathered through publicly availablesecondary sources. However, information on Power House Limited wasrelatively scarce in these respective sources. Meanwhile, information on theco-founders, Dilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando, was easilyaccessible. Information regarding ownership was gathered from the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The mostrecent data was available for the year 2015. While the Media OwnershipMonitor research team reached out to Power House Limited by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request. Viewership data was obtainedfrom the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017,while listenership data was gathered for the period of January- November2017.




on 6 August, 2018


Headlines



Meta Data

Sources



1262 / 1471

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/051009/tv/5.html



http://www.ft.lk/front-page/dilith-jayaweera-takes-over-the-reins-of-derana-as-chairmanmd/44-483559
















August 2018






on 3 August 2018


August 2018



September 2018



Guide to Media 2017


Rajamahendran

Documents



1263 / 1471

http://triad.lk/

http://tnltv.lk/
















Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1264 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1265 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1266 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1267 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1268 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1269 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1270 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1271 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1272 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1273 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1274 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1275 / 1471



Power House LimitedEstablished in 2008, Power House Limited is a growing media company that owns the Derana Group ofcompanies through Derana Macro Entertainment (Pvt) Limited. Presently, FM Derana, Derana TV, Ada Derana(online) and Ada Derana 24/7 (TV) are owned by Power House Limited. Dilith Jayaweera and VaruniAmunugama Fernando are the majority shareholders; they jointly own 49.41 percent of shares in addition to 9percent of individual shares at Power House Limited. As per the national survey conducted by the Kantar LankaMarket Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017, Derana TV and FM Derana have the highest viewership andlistenership respectively.

Key facts

Mother Company

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Power House Limited

Private


Television and Radio Broadcasting, Advertising, Photography Studios, PrePress Service, Printing, Public Relations, Annual Report Design andProduction, Event Management, Digital Advertising Agency and OnlineMarketing, Below The Line Services, Audio Visual Production, Tourism

Ownership





1276 / 1471







Dilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama FernandoDilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando jointly own 49.41 percentof shares at Power House, in addition to the 9 percent (each) they ownseparately.

49.4%


2.4%


2%

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets


Ada Derana 24/7 (0.3%)

http://fmderana.lk/



Facts



1277 / 1471

http://fmderana.lk/





Business

General Information

Triad (Pvt) Limited









35 KM (Pvt) Ltd

Citrus Leisure PLC

Advertising

Photography Studio

Graphic Design


Printing

Public Relations

Event Management


Branding Services


Tourism

2003Founding Year



1278 / 1471









1279 / 1471




Management


Missing Data

No. 320, 'Deutche House', T.B. Jaya Mawatha, Level 4, Colombo 10Tel: +945300800, +945300700Fax: +942506226Website: www.derana.lk

PB1399

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Dilith Jayaweera – Co-founder and Shareholder of Power House Limited.

Varuni Amunugama Fernando – Co-founder and Shareholder of Power HouseLimited.

Nimal Laksiri Wickramage – Director and Board Member. He holds 1.99% ofshares in the company.

Madhawa Kuruwita Madawala – is currently the CEO of Power House andowns 2.35% of shares in the company.

Executive Board



1280 / 1471





Further Information

‘Derana’ is born by the Sunday Times (2009), Accessed on 22 September



Triad, The Global Local by Business Today (2007), Accessed on 22

September 2018

Dilith Jayaweera takes over the reins of Derana as Chairman/MD by the

Daily FT (2015), Accessed on 22 September 2018

Power House Limited does not have a website and the official website of theoutlets relevant to the Derana Group of companies do not provide adequateinformation. As such, information was gathered through publicly availablesecondary sources. However, information on Power House Limited wasrelatively scarce in these respective sources. Meanwhile, information on theco-founders, Dilith Jayaweera and Varuni Amunugama Fernando, was easilyaccessible. Information regarding ownership was gathered from the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The mostrecent data was available for the year 2015. While the Media OwnershipMonitor research team reached out to Power House Limited by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request. Viewership data was obtainedfrom the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year 2017,while listenership data was gathered for the period of January- November2017.




on 6 August, 2018


Headlines



Meta Data

Sources



1281 / 1471

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/051009/tv/5.html



http://www.ft.lk/front-page/dilith-jayaweera-takes-over-the-reins-of-derana-as-chairmanmd/44-483559
















August 2018






on 3 August 2018


August 2018



September 2018



Guide to Media 2017


Rajamahendran

Documents



1282 / 1471

http://triad.lk/

http://tnltv.lk/















Société Jawhara des médias et destelecommunicationsJawhara des médias et des telecommunications is the company that manages the activities of Radio JawharaFM.

Created in 2005, its shareholders are a group of businessmen from the Sahel region, close to the Ben Aliregime, which comes from the same region.

Key facts

Business Form private

Ownership


Lazhar Sta 8%


Facts



1283 / 1471









Further Information





1284 / 1471



MED TELECOMMed Telecom is a limited liability company founded in 2003 tomanage the radio Mosaique FM. The founder Noureddine Boutar isthe majority shareholder and manager.

The brother of former first lady (1992-2011) Leila Ben Ali, held 13%of the capital until his shares were confiscated by the state in 2011after the revolution.

The company's purpose is audio-visual production, services relatedto media and to handle all commercial, financial and real estatetransactions in connection with the radio.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

private

limited liability partnership

broadcasting

Ownership



Lazhar Sta 13%



1285 / 1471









Facts

General Information

Further Information

2003

145

Immeuble Mosaïque Rue 8003 Montplaisir, TunisTel: +216 71 113 000

B149042003 - Register of Commerce0853067N - Tax Number

Founding Year

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number





1286 / 1471



SIDCO SICARInvestment and development company Central West. It offersservices in: project leading, developers and business leaders of theCentral West region of Tunisia, Governorates of Kairouan, Kasserine,Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa.

Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

private

Venture capital investment company (SICAR)

Ownership

Individual OwnerSIDCO SICAR Shareholders ?

Heirs of Aziz Miled

The heirs of Aziz Miled are alsoshareholders at Radio Jawhara Fm.

?



1287 / 1471

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/sidco-sicar-shareholders/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/sidco-sicar-shareholders/





Facts

General Information


E-mail : [email protected]

Téléphone : 216 77 274 022 / 77 274 023Fax : 216 77 274 025Sidco-SICARBoulevard de l’Environnement,El Manar, Kairouan – 3100.

Contact

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






1288 / 1471




Addiwen de production audiovisuelleAddiwen de production audio-visuelle is the company managing theDiwan Fm radio station.

Key facts

Ownership

Individual OwnerLotfi Abdennadher 31%

Famille Jamoussi 28%

Diwan FM Shareholders 41%

Facts



1289 / 1471





https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/diwan-fm-shareholders/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/diwan-fm-shareholders/




Further Information

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data








1290 / 1471



Société Khaldouni ProductionKhaldouni Production is the company managing the Sabra Fm radio station.

The company was founded in 2007 with a capital of 190 000 DT.

Key facts

Ownership

CompanySIDCO SICAR ?

Individual OwnerSabra FM Shareholders ?

Amor Naggazi ?

Facts

Business

Business



1291 / 1471





https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/amor-naggazi/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/amor-naggazi/



General Information

Further Information

2007

Amor Nagazi

Founding Year

Founder


Data Unavailable



1292 / 1471



Upali Newspapers (Pvt) LimitedFounded by Upali Wijewardene in 1978, Upali Newspapers (Pvt)Limited is a publishing house which produces the English languagenewspaper, The Island, and the Sinhala language newspaper,Divaina. Although the company was incorporated in 1978,publications of the Divaina Irida Sangrahaya and the Sunday Islandcommenced in October, 1981. The daily editions of these paperslaunched in the following year. In 1983, Upali Wijewardene waslegally declared deceased when his private jet disappeared on ahome-bound flight from Malaysia, shortly after take-off. After Upalipassed away in 1983, the ownership of the company wastransferred to his wife Lakmani Ratwatte Welgama. The company isjust one among many other businesses Upali Wijewardene is knownto have established.

Key facts

Mother Company

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Upali Investment Holdings Limited

Private

Private Limited Liability Company

Publishing; Aviation; Travel; Food and Beverages; Automobiles

Ownership




1293 / 1471





OtherWhile the Welgama family owns 94 percent of shares at Upali Newspapers(Pvt) Limited, through Upali Investment Holdings Limited 102 other minorityshareholders own 6 percent of Upali Newspapers (Pvt) Limited.

6%

Other Media Outlets

Other Print Outlets


The Island (0.13%)

Sunday Island (0.57%)

Rejina (0.25%)

Vidusara (0.90%)

Nawaliya (0.27%)



Facts

Business

Upali Consumer Products (100%)

Upali Motor Company (100%)

Upali Trading Company (100%)

Consumer Products

Motor Trading



1294 / 1471





General Information

Upali Travels (4%)

Ceylon Chocolates (85%)

Upali Management Services (100%)

Upali Aviation Services (100%)

Upali Airconditioning Services (100%)

Upali Investments (100%)

Upali Food and beverages (69%)

Upali Publishers (100%)

Upali Enterprises (79%)

Upali Nurseries (23%)

Travels

Confectionary

Corporate Services

Aviation

Air Conditioning Services

Finances

Food and Beverages

Publishing

Services

Agriculture

1978


Missing Data

Founding Year


Employees



1295 / 1471




Management



PV8654

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Lakmani Ratwatte – Majority Shareholder. She is the daughter of the late Dr.Seevali Ratwatte, who served as the Chairperson of the Upali Group ofnewspapers.

Nimal Weerasiri Welgama – Shareholder, Managing Director at UpaliNewspapers and husband of Lakmani Rawatte. His brother Kumara Welgamais a Member of Parliament.

Anula Attygala – Board Member.

Sudhammika Kemida Attygala – Assistant Brand Manager at Hemas HoldingsPLC.

Julius Asoka Duke Lanarolle – Board Member.

Lahiru Gunasekere – Board Member.

Executive Board



1296 / 1471






Further Information

Dehiwalage Anthony Lakshman Perera – Board Member.

Remembering Dr Seevali Ratwatte by the Sunday Observer (2015),



22 September 2018

Downs & Ups Of The Wijewardenes by the Colombo Telegraph (2015),


Sri Lankan millionaire Upali Wijewardene goes missing in his Learjet,

massive search on by India Today (2013), Accessed on 28 September 2018


28 September 2018

The details on shares were obtained from the Department of Registrar ofCompanies. Subsidiary and affiliated companies, along with Upali InvestmentHoldings Limited’s proportion of ownership, was filed with the Department ofRegistrar of Companies. However, it was not clear as to what industry some ofthese companies spanned over since Upali Investment Holdings Limited, andmost subsidiary companies, do not have websites. Readership data wasobtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for the year2017.

Nimal Welgama, Chairman Sri Lanka Telecom, Business Today YouTube

Channel (29 December 2014), Accessed on 22 August 2018

Asian Communication Handbook (2008), Accessed on 22 September 2018

75th Annual Kelaniya Duruthu Perahera by The Island (2002), Accessed on

4 October 2018

Headlines



Meta Data

Sources



1297 / 1471

http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2001/pix/PrintPage.asp?REF=/2015/11/29/spe-for-02.asp



https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/neighbours/story/19830331-sri-lankan-millionaire-upali-wijewardene-goes-missing-in-his-learjet-massive-search-on-770573-2013-07-23


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66FszrfE9Eg

https://books.google.lk/books?id=Wo9YWvrWFcIC&redir_esc=y

http://www.island.lk/2002/01/27/content.html



Lahiru Gunasekera Profile, LinkedIn profile of Lahiru Gunasekara (2018),




1298 / 1471

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lahiru-gunasekara-a424a924/?originalSubdomain=lk




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1299 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1300 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1301 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1302 / 1471




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1303 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1304 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1305 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1306 / 1471



EAP Broadcasting Company LimitedEAP Broadcasting Company Limited, previously EAP Networks until2013, oversees both television and radio broadcasting outlets. Thetelevision outlets under the company are Swarnavahini and ETV.Meanwhile, the radio outlets under the company are Shree FM, E FMand RanOne FM. In December 2016, a significant percentage of thecompany's shares were transferred to a finance company within theEAP Group of companies i.e. ETI Finance Limited. However, in March2017, ETI Finance Limited reportedly had a deficit of LKR 17.5 billion.Owing to this financial crisis, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka tookcontrol over the parent company, EAP Holdings earlier this year.Subsequently, certain subsidiaries of EAP Holdings, including EAPBroadcasting Company Limited, were sold.

While it was reported that Jaya Sudhir Jayaratnam was negotiating a sale on behalf of the Singapore-basedcompany Straits Grid Pte. Limited, EAP Broadcasting Corporation Limited was sold to Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limitedand the Singapore-based company, Blue Summit Capital Management Pte. Limited. Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limitedis owned by Alexis Indrajit Lovell. Meanwhile, Portugal-based Pettigo Comercio Internacional Lda owns BlueSummit Capital Management Pte. Limited.

In 2015, Pettigo Comercio Internacional Lda used legal means to reclaim a domain name – Lycamovie.com(Claim Number: FA1507001627362). This domain name is one of the trademarks registered under PettigoComercio Internacional Lda. Other trademarks include: Lycamobile, Lyca and Lycafly. Lycamobile and Lyca arelisted as trademarks for UK-based mobile services and telecommunications businesses respectively.Subaskaran Allirajah is listed as a Director of Lycamobile, Lycamobile Sweden as well as Lyca EntertainmentEurope. He is also the majority shareholder in these companies.

Key facts

Mother Company

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited and Blue Summit Capital Management Pte. Limited

Private

Limited liability company




1307 / 1471



Ownership

Individual OwnerAlexis Indrajit Lovell

Alexis Indrajit Lovell owns 59.99 percent ofEAP Broadcasting Corporation Limitedthrough Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited. Atpresent, he holds the post of Chairpersonat National Asset Management Limitedand Union Bank Finance Co. Limited. He isalso a Director at the Associated ElectricalCorporation Limited and Real InvestmentHoldings Pte. Limited. Since 04 January2019 he has been serving as anIndependent Non-Executive Director atSerendib Engineering Group PLC. In 2011,he served as a Non-Executive Director atUnion Bank Finance Co. Limited.

60%


Allirajah Subaskaran is the majorityshareholder and Chairperson ofLycamobile UK Limited, which owns 40percent of EAP Broadcasting Limitedthrough Pettigo Comercio InternacionalLda. As founder of the Lycamobile Groupof companies, he is also the Chairpersonof Lycamoney, Lycatel and Lycafly. Atpresent, Lycatel and Lycamobile havespanned over 23 countries. In 2010,Allirajah established the GnanamFoundation with his mother, GnanambikaiAllirajah and his wife, Prema(Premantharshini) Subaskaran. Thefoundation provides funding for projectswhich improve livelihoods and educationfor underprivileged communities.

40%



1308 / 1471







Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets

ETV

E FM (0.10%)

RanOne FM (0.70)

Facts

Business

General Information

Lyca GroupTelecommunications

Missing Data


Missing Data

Founding Year


Employees



1309 / 1471




Management


PV2034

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data




Thomas Mathew – as per the annual returns available for the year 2018 at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies, the CEO is listed as a Malaysian-basedindividual, Thomas Mathew. Ceased to be a Director on 30 November 2018.

Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe – Executive Director at Swarnamahal FinancialServices PLC. He also serves as a Director in over 15 companies, many ofwhich are affiliated with the EAP Group of companies. In July 2018, it wasreported that Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe, along with three other Directorsfrom the EAP Group, had been issued a travel ban by the Colombo FortMagistrate, Lanka Jayaratne. On 10 July 2018, the Central Bank of Sri Lankaissued a public notice requesting for information on the assets and propertiesheld by the aforementioned Directors. As per the data available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies for May 2018, he is listed as a Directorof EAP Broadcasting Company Limited.

Executive Board



1310 / 1471





Further Information

Anjali Deepa Edirisinghe – Deepa Edirisinghe is the daughter of the late SomaEdirisinghe, who previously managed the EAP Group of companies. Sheserves as a Director for many of the same companies as Asanka SrimalEdirisinghe. In 2017, Deepa announced that she would contest in the LocalGovernment Election through the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). She wasalso reportedly appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena as the ColomboDistrict Organiser for the SLFP. Akin to Asanka Srimal Edirisinghe, Deepa wasalso issued a travel ban. Additionally, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka includedher name in the list of Directors the bank was monitoring with regards toownership of properties and assets. As per the data available at theDepartment of Registrar of Companies, she is listed as a Director for EAPBroadcasting Company Limited.

Omar Siraj Qandeel – reportedly serves on the Board of Switzerland-basedBlueOrchard, which is a leading impact investment manager worldwide,especially focusing on inclusive finance such as microfinance. As per the dataavailable at the Department of Registrar of Companies for May 2018, he islisted as a Director.

Don Cyril Rodrigo – also known as Cyril Rodrigo, is the founder and CEO of S-Net Freight (Holdings) Pte. Limited, a Singapore-based freight company. Hehas previously held the positions of Cargo Marketing Manager for CathayPacific, Marketing Manager for AEI and Asia Pacific Vice President for EmeryWorldwide. As per the data available at the Department of Registrar ofCompanies for May 2018, he is listed as a Director.

Paul Xavier Kelly – as per the data available at the Department of Registrar ofCompanies for May 2018, he is listed as an Investment Manager. Ceased to bea director on 30 November 2018.

Christopher Donald Michael Tooley - On 23 October 2018, Christopher DonaldMichael Tooley was appointed as a Director. However, he ceased to be aDirector on 05 December 2018.

Raishankar Balasingham - Appointed as a Director on 23 October 2018.

Aiadurai Sivasamy Premanathan - Appointed as a Director on 23 October2018.



1311 / 1471




Sunday Times (2018), Accessed on 23 September 2018





Union Bank appoints Alexis Indrajit Lovell as Chairman by the Daily News


The official website of EAP Holdings has been under construction for over twomonths, making the access to the company’s present ownership difficult toobtain. As such, the MOM research team referenced several newspaperreports in addition to gathering shareholder details through the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The mostrecent data was available for the year 2017. However, documents on thetransfer of shares and Executive Board was for the year 2018. EAPBroadcasting Company Limited has not filed an annual return since thetransfer of shares to Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited and Ben Holdings (Pvt)Limited. Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited also does not have an officialwebsite. Information on Blue Summit Capital Pte. Limited was obtained fromthe Singapore Registrar of Companies. Meanwhile, the link between PettigoComercio Internacional Lda, the shareholding company of Blue SummitCapital Pte. Limited, and Lycamobile was established through the court casein 2015 where Pettigo Commercio Internacional LDA won the case over theuse of domain name lycamovie.com. While the Media Ownership Monitorresearch team reached out to EAP Broadcasting Company Limited by formallyrequesting for the company’s information on 25 July 2018, the company didnot respond to the aforementioned request. MOM Team contacted BenHoldings (Pvt) Limited for more details on the management of EAPBroadcasting Company Limited and Swarnavahini in particular. A new writtenrequest was sent to Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited on 1 October 2018. Viewershipdata was obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) forthe year 2017, while listenership data was gathered for the period of January-November 2017.

Headlines



Meta Data



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Sunday Times (2017), Accessed 10 August 2018





Who is Jaya Sudir Jayaram and why is he in Sri Lanka? by News First (2018)


The Oil-For-Food Scandal Revisited by Malaysia Today (2008), Accessed on

24 September 2018

Union Bank welcomes Alex Lovell as new Chairman by the Daily FT (2012),


Lovell takes over as Union Bank's head honcho by The Sunday Times


First 60 units of ‘The One’ sold to overseas Sri Lankans, businessmen here

by the Sunday Times (2018), Accessed on 19 September 2018

Sources



1313 / 1471









https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/01/02/jaya-sudir-jayaram-sri-lanka-video/

https://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/07/01/the-oil-for-food-scandal-revisited/

http://www.ft.lk/article/85584/Union-Bank-welcomes-Alex-Lovell-as-new-Chairman


http://www.sundaytimes.lk/180325/business-times/first-60-units-of-the-one-sold-to-overseas-sri-lankans-businessmen-here-287127.html




To See by Forbes (2017), Accessed on 22 September 2018





Sustained Growth Through Sustainability- UB Finance Annual Report for

2017


Permenant Certificate: Pettigo Comercio Internacional Lda

Documents



1314 / 1471




https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5937&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=bfe35f36635fefc79406632288ae9ab9


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=5932&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=54a95c86013e4536a03609f33b3dca96




Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

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Private



Ownership




1315 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1316 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1317 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1318 / 1471




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Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1319 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1320 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1321 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1322 / 1471




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Business Form

Legal Form

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Private



Ownership




1323 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1324 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1325 / 1471



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Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1326 / 1471




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Business Form

Legal Form

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Private



Ownership




1327 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1328 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1329 / 1471



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Data Unavailable

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1330 / 1471




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Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1331 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1332 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1333 / 1471



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Data Unavailable

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1334 / 1471




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Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1335 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1336 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

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Missing Data

Missing Data

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Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1337 / 1471



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Data Unavailable

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1338 / 1471




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Business Form

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Private



Ownership




1339 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1340 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

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Missing Data

Missing Data

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Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1341 / 1471



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Data Unavailable

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1342 / 1471




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Business Form

Legal Form

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Private



Ownership




1343 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1344 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1345 / 1471



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Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1346 / 1471




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Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1347 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1348 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1349 / 1471



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Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1350 / 1471




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Business Form

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Private



Ownership




1351 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1352 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

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Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

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Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1353 / 1471



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Data Unavailable

Meta Data



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The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimitedThe Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited is one of Sri Lanka’slargest business conglomerates that has subsidiaries in severalfields including media, plastics, packaging, electrical, chemicals,personal care and consumer products, tea, entertainment andcommunication, information communication technology (ICT),services and projects. The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limitedtraces its roots to 1938. Officially, the company was incorporated in1967. The company was founded by Sinnathamby Rajandram andSubramaniam Mahadevan. R. Rajamahendran, who is the currentChairperson, is the son of Sinnathamby Rajandram.

MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited and MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited are theMaharaja Group’s subsidiaries in the media sector. MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited, a media company dedicated toradio broadcasting, has five radio stations: Yes FM, Sirasa FM, Shakthi FM, Y FM, and Legends FM. The Sinhalalanguage media outlet Sirasa FM has an audience reach of 12.88 percent. English language stations Yes FM andLegends FM have an audience reach of 0.20 percent and 0.04 percent respectively. The Tamil language channelShakthi FM has an audience reach of 5.94 percent, while the bilingual Sinhala and English language radiostation Y FM has an audience reach of 3.70 percent.

MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited has three TV channels namely, Shakthi TV, Sirasa TV and TV 1 under its wing. Sinhalalanguage channel Sirasa TV has an audience reach of 15.4 percent while the Tamil language channel Shakthi TVhas an audience reach of 6.1 percent. The newly established TV 1 has an audience reach of 0.7 percent.

Presently, The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited is owned by Rajandram Rajamahendran, also referred toas R. Rajamahendran, and his son Sashidharan Rajamahendran. R. Rajamahendran owns 0.003 percent ofdirect shares in the company. However, he and his son Sashidharan Rajamahendran own a significantpercentage of the company and other shareholding companies through Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited.



1355 / 1471



Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private


Radio and TV broadcasting, plastics, packaging, electrical, chemicals, personalcare and consumer products, tea, media, entertainment and communication,information communication technology (ICT), services and projects.

Ownership


Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Yes FM (0.20%)

Legends FM (0.04%)

http://sirasatv.lk/


http://tv1.lk/live/

http://sirasa.com/



http://yfm.lk/



1356 / 1471



http://sirasatv.lk/


http://tv1.lk/live/

http://sirasa.com/



http://yfm.lk/



Facts

Media Business

Business

TV broadcasting | MTV Channel (Pvt) LimitedRadio broadcasting | MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited

Media Business

MTV Channel (Pvt) Limited

MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited


S-lon Industrial Plastics (Pvt) Limited







Tuffline Limited




TV Broadcasting

Radio Broadcasting

Plastics

Tea

Chemicals

Packaging

Electrical

Personal Care



1357 / 1471



General Information





Stein Studios, Maharaja Entertainments (Pvt) Limited







ICT

Services

Projects

Entertainment

Unknown

Uknown

Management

1938

Subramaniam Mahadevan and Sinnathamby Rajandram are the founders ofThe Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited. Mahadevan and Rajandramworked together at Beer and Co. as guarantee brokers. Mahadevan wasappointed as its Manager after Beer and Co. was taken over by Dodge andSeymour in 1935. Dodge and Seymour ceased to exist in Sri Lanka and inorder to take over the client base, both Mahadevan and Rajandramestablished several companies including Mahadevan's Limited, RajandramLimited, Stirling Products and Maharaja Distribution.

Founding Year




1358 / 1471




Management

Mahadevan passed away in 1957, and Sinnathamby Rajandram took over themanagement of the companies they had established. SinnathambyRajandram’s sons, Rajandram Maharaja and Rajandram Rajamahendran (alsoreferred to as R. Rajamahendran), eventually took over the company in 1965.With the restriction of imports into the country in 1959, they establishedseveral companies such as Parker Quick Ink, Ponds Cosmetic, Chemway andS-Lon PVC. These companies eventually became the forerunners to thecurrent The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited. Although the roots of thecompany were formed since the 1930s, the company with the name TheCapital Maharaja Organisation Limited was formally incorporated only in1967.

Missing Data

The Capital Maharaja Organisation LimitedNo. 146, Dawson Street, Colombo 2Tel: + 94 11 4792 600, +94 11 2448 354, +94 11 2430 037Fax: +94 11 2447 308Email: [email protected]

Website: www.capitalmaharaja.com

PB295

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






1359 / 1471


http://http//www.capitalmaharaja.com/




Rajandram Rajamahendran – the Chairperson of The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited and owns the company, as well as the othershareholding companies of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited and itssubsidiaries with his son Sashidharan Rajamahendran. RajandramRajamahendran serves as a Director at several companies affiliated with theMaharaja Group.

Rajamahendran Sashidaran – the son of Rajandram Rajamahendran and isalso a Managing Director at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.Additionally, he serves as a Director at Tuffline Limited and Capital Holdings(Pvt) Limited, among several other companies affiliated with the MaharajaGroup. He and Rajandram Rajamahendran own Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited.

Arun Pradeep Maharaja – the son of Rajandram Maharaja and the nephew ofRajandram Rajamahendran. He is a Director at the Merchant Bank of SriLanka (MBSL).

Eshini Champika Mudalige – Director at Tuffline Limited, in addition to being aDirector at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.

Manmohan Bharara – the CEO of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limitedand the Director of Kansai Paints Lanka (Pvt) Limited.

Nicola Karen Nedra Weerasinghe – Group Director for Electronic MediaBusiness at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.

Susil Chandra Weerasekera – Director at The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited.

Kirubaharan Kumarakulasingham – Director at Tuffline Limited.

Chandima Rodrigo Weliwitage – Director at The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited.

Brahmana Waduge Anuradha Jayasinghe Galapita – Group Director forTuffline Limited.

Jayalath Suranga Bandara Wijeyasiri Weeraparakrama Mahapa – serves as aDirector at The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited.

Shanthi Bhagirathan – Group Director for MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited andStein Studios – MTV Channels (Pvt) Limited.

Executive Board



1360 / 1471



Further Information

Wilson Fitzroy Srilal Ahangama – the Group Finance Director at The CapitalMaharaja Organisation Limited and also serves as a Director at TufflineLimited.

John Chevaan Devavarathan Daniel – He has previously worked in MTVChannel (Pvt) Limited, which is a subsidiary of The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited, as a News Anchor. He heads the News First division ofthe organisation.

Leonie Seneviratne – serves as a Director at The Capital Mahraja OrganisationLimited.

Nimal de Soysa Cooke – serves as an Executive Director at The CapitalMaharaja Organisation Limited. He is also a Director at the AmericanChamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka, Tuffline Limited and Capital Holdings(Pvt) Limited, among several other companies affiliated with the MaharajaGroup.


Sandeep Vasantrao Shahapurkar – serves as a Director at The CapitalMaharaja Organisation Limited.

Rudrani Balasubramanium – has served as a Director and Company Secretaryin several companies affiliated with The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited. As per the official website of The Capital Maharaja OrganisationLimited, she is still listed as a Director.


41st annual convention of The Capital Maharaja Organisation by News

First (2018), Accessed on 11 September 2018



Capital Maharaja takes fight for Sri Lanka’s migrant workers to the UN by


Headlines



1361 / 1471

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/04/28/41st-annual-convention-of-the-capital-maharaja-organisation/


https://www.newsfirst.lk/2017/09/25/capital-maharaja-takes-fight-sri-lankas-migrant-workers-un/



The Capital Maharaja Organisation felicitated at SAP ACE 2014 Awards by


TAPI Gas Pipeline launched: Capital Maharaja Org. represented at ground-

breaking ceremony by News First (2015), Accessed on 11 September 2018

The official website of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited does notspecify the ownership details of the organisation. Instead, it provides a list ofsome of its subsidiary companies, the board of directors and the contactdetails of the company. Not all companies under the Rajamahendran familycould be ascertained during the research process since the Department ofRegistrar of Companies documents information with regards to companiesand not individual owners. In total, 18 companies within The Capital MaharajaOrganisation Limited were studied. These companies often own each other,but almost always at some level include Capital Holdings (Pvt) Limited, whichis directly owned by the Rajamahendrans. Chairperson RajandramRajamahendran is occasionally referred to as Kili Maharaja and R.Rajamahendran. These names are spelt differently across the cited sources.Information on the company’s shareholders was gathered through the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. The mostrecent data was available for the year 2017. While the Media OwnershipMonitor research team reached out to The Capital Maharaja Organisation byformally requesting for the company’s information on 20 July 2018, thecompany did not respond to the aforementioned request. Viewership datawas obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for theyear 2017, while listenership data was gathered for the period of January-November 2017.


on 31 August 2018.




Official Website of MBC Networks (Pvt) Limited, Accessed on 12 August

2018



Meta Data

Sources



1362 / 1471

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2014/11/14/sap-ace-2014-awards-capital-maharaja-organization-limited-among-20-enterprises/

https://www.newsfirst.lk/2015/12/13/natural-gas-pipeline-linking-turkmenistanafghanistanpakistan-and-india-launched/




http://www.mbc.lk/





Facebook page of Shakthi TV, Accessed on 31 August 2018

Official website of Sirasa TV, Accessed on 26 July 2018

Official website of Sirasa FM, Accessed on 11 September 2018

LinkedIn profile of Nimal S. Cooke, Accessed on 26 July 2018

Guide to Media 2017


Documents



1363 / 1471




http://sirasatv.lk/

http://sirasa.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimal-s-cooke-13a9278/?originalSubdomain=lk






Key facts

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Private



Ownership




1364 / 1471









Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


Facts

General Information

1988Founding Year

TV Radio



1365 / 1471








Management


Missing Data



Founder

Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


Executive Board



1366 / 1471



Further Information



Data Unavailable

Meta Data



1367 / 1471



Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt)LimitedAsia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited (ABC) was established inSri Lanka in the 1990s by the UK-based Sunrise Radio Group. It ispresently listed as a subsidiary under Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt)Limited, which is owned by Rayynor Silva. Five radio stations areunder the purview of ABC: Hiru FM, Shaa FM, Gold FM, Sun FM andSooriyan FM. ABC also oversees an HD ready/ digital ready TVchannel, Hiru TV.

In 2007, the Sri Lankan government suspended ABC’s radiobroadcasting licenses on two objections: firstly, that although ABC’slicenses were issues on 17 November 1995, the company had onlybeen incorporated on November 27; secondly, that ABC hadbroadcasted an erroneous report during the country’s armed conflict. Despite ABC having issued an apologyand attempting to rectify the erroneous report, the government proceeded with the suspension on thegrounds that it was reportedly a “gross violation of the freedom of expression”. Moreover, the Supreme Courtdismissed ABC’s fundamental rights petition and ordered Chairperson Rayynor Silva to pay a Rs. 250,000(2,259.99 USD) cash bail for submitting a false affidavit to the Supreme Court which had reportedly suppressedthe initial erroneous news content ABC had broadcasted. Several media-related groups such as ReportersWithout Borders (RSF) and the Free Media Movement (FMM) however widely condemned the suspension.

Key facts

Mother Company

Business Form

Legal Form

Business Sectors

Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited

Private





1368 / 1471



Ownership


Other Media Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Sun FM (0.32%)









Facts

Business

Skyline Pacific Real Estate (Pvt) Limited


Real estate

Fashion



1369 / 1471













General Information


Mediacorp Investments (Pvt) LimitedOther

1995

Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited was initially founded by theSunrise Radio Group in the 1990s. It was later owned by Rayynor Silva, who isa well-known businessman in the broadcasting field of Sri Lanka and thepresent Chairperson of the company. The company remains one of thelargest radio networks in the country. Rayynor’s brother Vincent Silva servesas the current CEO of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited. Meanwhile,former Member of Parliament Duminda Silva is also Rayynor Silva’s brother.On 11 October 2018 the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed byDuminda Silva for the murder of former Member of Parliament, BharathaLakshman Premachandra.

Missing Data


Website: www.asiabroadcasting.lk

PV16452

Founding Year


Employees

Contact

Tax/ ID Number

Missing Data

Missing Data

Missing Data






1370 / 1471


http://http//www.asiabroadcasting.lk/




Management

Further Information

Samantha Rayynor Silva – Owner of Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt)Limited.

Vincent Premalal Silva – Board Member and Director. He owns a minorpercentage of shares in Mediacorp Investments (Pvt) Limited.

Vincent Prabodha Silva – Board Member and Director. He is also a Director atMediacorp Investments (Pvt) Limited.

Maleeka Chamari Silva Sirisenege – Board Member and Director.

Prasad Karunarathne is the General Manager of Asia BroadcastingCorporation (Pvt) Limited.

Executive Board



September 2018


Accessed on 7 Sep 2018






8 September 2018


accessed 3 September 2018


September 2018

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12 September 2018






September 2018


2018


2018

Information on Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited (ABC) wasobtained through the official website of the company as well as secondarysources. Information on the Chairperson Rayynor Silva was also available onthe official website of Rayynor Silva Holdings (Pvt) Limited. Details about theownership structure and board of directors was gathered through the annualreturns available at the Department of Registrar of Companies. Thedesignations of the key individuals at Sooriyan FM were confirmed uponcontacting the station directly and also speaking with the Director ofProgramming. While the Media Ownership Monitor research team reachedout to Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Limited by formally requesting forthe company’s information on 20 July 2018, the company did not respond tothe aforementioned request. The Central Bank’s average exchange rate for2007 (110.62) was used to convert the amounts into USD. Viewership datawas obtained from the Kantar Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) for theyear 2017, while listenership data was gathered for the period of January-November 2017.


on 3 September 2018


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Al-Manar Al-Nour

Media Outlets

Other Media Outlets

Other TV Outlets

Other Radio Outlets


Al Manar (6.4%)

Al Nour (7.1%)

www.almanar.com.lb

www.alnour.com.lb


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1988Founding Year

TV Radio



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Management


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Ali Daher

Naji Ghanem

Youssef Zein


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Context

History

The media landscape in Lebanonis far from simple. Itsdevelopment was closely linked topolitical and sectarian differences,which caused journalistic contentand messages to vary dependingon the allegiance of the day;ideological and sectarianalignments perhaps being thebasis and the main factor affectingjournalistic content. more

Society

Around 3.5 million Lebanese aswell as an additional 2 millionrefugees and immigrants, mostlycoming from neighboring Syriaand Palestine, are living in thecountry. Representing about 4% ofthe size of Egypt (10,452 squarekilometres), Lebanon counts morethan 17 different denominationsunder both Christian and Muslimumbrellas and other minorityreligious affiliations. more

Politics

Lebanon’s political system,classified as democratic andparliamentary, is in fact a hybridregime. The need to respect“confessional balance” is often anexcuse to deviate from generaldemocratic principles andpractices. Lebanon’sconsociational regime wasendorsed by the unwritten 1943National Pact, which was set toshare political power andexecutive positions betweenChristians and Muslims more

Media regulation in Lebanon has not seen any major legislative changes in the past 20 years. However, takinginto account the complexity of the country’s history, civil society groups have been trying to raise awarenesson the importance of transparency to respect democratic principles. Journalists, bloggers, lawyers, and activistsare now lobbying to demand changes in the country’s laws, taking into account the evolution of society andtechnological progress, for media outlets to be more independent from economic and political ties.



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/context/society/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/context/society/





Economy

Lebanon is a free-marketeconomy, characterised by astrong laissez-faire tradition andunrestricted foreign investment. Italso has the third highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the world, with mostof the debt held internally byLebanese banks.Mostly service-oriented, theLebanese economy relies mainlyon the banking and tourismsectors as well as on internationalbusiness relations. more

Law

Laws regulating the media do existin Lebanon; but they are oftenconsidered outdated, not adaptedto modern realities, and thereforeeasily circumvented. Many ofLebanon’s lawmakers and mediaexperts have been calling for acomprehensive update of medialaws to protect freedom of thepress, increase its independenceand the transparency of thesector. more

Technology

The Internet penetration rosedramatically in Lebanon, from58% in 2013 to 91% in 2017 whenmobile subscriptions account for76.1% of this number. Nearlyevery Lebanese owns asmartphone in the country and91% use Wi-Fi or data mobileservice to connect to the Internet.more



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/context/economy/




https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/context/technology/



HistoryThe media landscape in Lebanon is far from simple. Its development was closely linked to political andsectarian connections, which caused journalistic content and messages to vary depending on the allegiance ofthe day; ideological and sectarian alignments perhaps being the basis and the main factor affecting journalisticcontent.

Lebanon was known for having the first printing press in the Middle East during Ottoman rule, owned by theMaronite monks. It was then during the second half of the 19th century that all sects started printingpublications and newspapers educating citizens, often voicing opposition to Ottoman rule first and the Frenchmandate second, up until Lebanon’s independence in 1943.

Sectarian diversity and geographical location both contributed to making Beirut a vital center for journalismand printing in the Levant. It became a hub for the dissemination of culture and gave a voice to liberationmovements and opposition voices across the Middle East, so much so that journalism witnessed very rapidgrowth that was reflected not only in printed material but also in the audiovisual media sector that quicklygained experience in content production.

Media post-independence

In 1946, the Lebanese State took over Radio Orient from the French mandate, changing its name to RadioLiban. It then started the process of establishing an Arabic and French-speaking Lebanese television company,with the support of Lebanese businessmen Wissam Ezzedine and Alex Moufarrej: they signed an agreementwith the government to establish the Compagnie libanaise de Télévision - CLT (Lebanese Television Company)in August 1956. Télé Orient was launched a few years later in May 1962.

The granting of broadcasting licenses to two television companies in 1959 was the first step towards medialiberalization and pluralism, despite the government’s restrictions on broadcasting and programs. The twocompanies were jointly owned by the State and Lebanese businessmen. However, the outbreak of the 1975Lebanese war reflected on the companies on a sectarian basis, with one located in the Christian region and theother in the Muslim region.

During the civil war, in 1977 precisely, the government nationalized and merged the two companies after theireconomic situations deteriorated, considering that advertising was their main source of funding. Télé Liban wastherefore established and was granted a monopoly on television broadcasting for 25 years in the absence of alaw regulating the media.

Media and the civil war

During the 1975-1990 civil war in Lebanon, a very large number of private radio and television stations wasestablished for such a small country, taking advantage of the chaos and the absence of the rule of law. They



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were all platforms aiming to voice the various ideological and sectarian beliefs of their respective para-militarybackers.

The 1989 Taif Agreement that put an end to the war included the need to “dismantle all illegal media outlets”that had been established for conflict-related reasons, parallel to the need to dismantle and disarm all militias.The Lebanese Parliament issued a law on audiovisual media in 1994, setting conditions and standards for radioand television broadcasting. Based on this law, the government handed out licenses to some media outlets andshut down others, and the National Audiovisual Media Council of Lebanon was established as an advisorybody.

Most of the parties to the conflict that had militarily participated in the war and the political forces thatimposed themselves after the end of the conflict became, once again, the license holders. Syrian political andsecurity hegemony over Lebanon greatly influenced the work of the media, such as in 1994 when all privatechannels were banned from airing news broadcasts and political programs in an attempt to constrain publicdiscourse. Some media outlets were even shut down for opposing the authorities, such as New TV (Al-Jadeed)in 1997 and MTV in 2002.

Media structure and management

The Ministry of Information manages the media sector; its functions are to facilitate the activity of official mediainstitutions. An advisory body, the National Media Council (NMC), was established under the Audiovisual MediaLaw of 1994. Its tasks include verifying licensing conditions and monitoring media content, and it reports to theCouncil of Ministers. It does not, however, have any effective powers, and its ten members are chosen by theParliament and the Council of Ministers on a sectarian basis. This limits their role, capacity, and legal mandate.Licenses for the establishment of radio and television companies are granted by the Council of Ministers oncethe conditions set by the NMC and the Ministry of Information are met.

In recent years, the decline in spending and advertising in audiovisual media has become blatantly obvious. It ismainly due to funding issues and the challenges facing Lebanese media, against the backdrop of thedominance of the political and sectarian forces managing and directing its outlets.

The media landscape post-2005

With the departure of Syrian troops from Lebanon in 2005 and the ensuing political changes, MTV wasrelaunched and the Free Patriotic Movement was granted a license to set up a television and radio channel,confirming how tightly the media landscape is intertwined with the balance of political power. Lebanese mediaserve as the reflection of political and sectarian divisions rampant on the local and regional levels, receivingdirect support from regional sponsors.

The unrest and revolutions that started spreading throughout Arab countries in 2011 also affected Lebanesemedia, with decreases in funding from countries that underwent political change. External support alsodeclined due to the 2008 global financial crisis and the resulting drop in oil prices.

This led Al-Bayrak newspaper and both Monday Morning and La Revue du Liban magazines to suspend



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publication in 2011, while Al-Kifah Al-Arabi magazine, which was owned by Walid El-Hosseini closed in 2015,along with Strategia and Elfann magazines. Al-Ousbou Al-Arabi, a weekly publication owned by Georges AbouAdal suspended publication in 2014 and As-Safir newspaper in 2016. Al-Hawadeth weekly magazine was shutdown the same year, Al-Ittihad newspaper in the autumn of 2017 and Al-Balad newspaper in the summer of2018. Dar Assayad, which included Al-Anwar newspaper, as well as Assayad, Al-Shabaka, Fairuz, Al-Difaa Al-Arabi and Al-Fares magazines, ceased publication in October 2018 and Al-Hayat daily stopped publishing inBeirut in 2018. The financial crisis also affected TV stations, which were forced to dismiss a large number ofemployees.

Non-governmental organizations continue to make efforts in an attempt to adopt a new media law, aiming togive real independence and broader power to the National Media Council, in addition to standards thatguarantee wider freedom and transparency. This bill is still awaiting the vote of the Parliament’s generalassembly after it has been approved by the parliamentary committee on Information and Telecommunications.

This text is a contribution of Nidal Ayoub, the President of the Francophone journalism association (Associationfrancophone de Journalisme - AFEJ) and a member of MOM Lebanon advisory group.

Sources



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SocietyAround 3.5 million Lebanese as well as an additional 2 million refugees and immigrants, mostly coming fromneighboring Syria and Palestine, are living in the country. Representing about 4% of the size of Egypt (10,452square kilometers), Lebanon counts more than 18 different denominations under both Christian and Muslimumbrellas, and other minority religious affiliations. Although Arabic is Lebanon’s official language, French is arecognized language, and English is widely spoken among millennials and adults in multiple parts of thecountry. With rich linguistic diversity, sectarian fragility, and political unrest, access to the media is engulfed in areality whereby it is not equally available to all factions of Lebanese society, and even at times not accessible tomany.

According to the UN Human Development Index, Lebanon’s adult literacy rate was estimated at 93.9% in thelatest available figures from 2014. However, there is an alarming discrepancy between urban and rural regions.Adult literacy is highest in Beirut, where only 6.1% of the population cannot read by adulthood. In more ruralregions such as the Bekaa (east of the country), this percentage is estimated at almost 17%.

Although Lebanon currently seems more liberal when it comes to freedom of the press and media comparedto most other countries in the MENA region, it is not necessarily a result of laws or societal realities. Media inLebanon is still governed by outdated laws deeply rooted in the sectarian and political divides. In fact, thenature of Lebanese media mirrors the nature of the society it covers – often lacking transparency,independence, reliability or non-bias.

It is worth mentioning that the nature of Lebanese media, as well as its political angles, do not only affectLebanese inside Lebanon, and other communities within its borders. It also shapes the general perception ofthe vast Lebanese diaspora – estimated between 4 to 13 million – among their host societies and potentialLebanese returnees.

In 2015, 95% of Lebanese youth already had access to the Internet through their mobiles, which revolutionizedinformation. In the past decade, digital media literacy has made a significant leap in Lebanon, from beingpractically unheard of to being promoted by civil society, academics and universities, even finding its way intosome schools as an extracurricular activity.

With the advent of the Internet also came user-generated content with a wave of bloggers, citizen journalists,and media literate people who were seeking change in Lebanese media and reporting in general.

MetadataData related to adult literacy rates is extracted from Lebanon’s fourth National Human Development Report



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Kadi, S. (2018), “Lebanon’s civil society challenges traditional parties in upcoming vote”, The Arab Weekly

Farha, G; Nasr, E; Karam, L; &Trad, S. (2018), “The Impact of Digital Blogosphere on Lebanese Journalism:Continuity or Substitution?”

Trombetta, L. (2018), “Media Landscape”

De Bel-Air F. (2017). Migration Profile: Lebanon. The Migration Policy Center

UNESCO, (2015), “Youth and Media in Lebanon:96% use their mobile phones while the television remainsthe "most credible" source”. Accessed on November 27, 2018

Dajani, N. (2013), “The Myth of Media Freedom in Lebanon”, Arab Media & Society

Lebanese Information Center Lebanon (2013), “The Lebanese Demographic Reality”

(NHDR).Data related to the Lebanese diaspora comes from the Migration Policy Center.

Sources



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http://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/46504/RSCAS_PB_2017_12_MPC.pdf?sequence=1

https://thearabweekly.com/lebanons-civil-society-challenges-traditional-parties-upcoming-vote

https://thearabweekly.com/lebanons-civil-society-challenges-traditional-parties-upcoming-vote

http://ijsse.com/sites/default/files/issues/2018/v8i2/IJSSEv8i2Paper-05.pdf





http://www.unesco.org/new/en/beirut/single-view/news/youth_and_media_in_lebanon96_use_their_mobile_phones_while/

https://www.arabmediasociety.com/the-myth-of-media-freedom-in-lebanon/

https://www.arabmediasociety.com/the-myth-of-media-freedom-in-lebanon/

https://www.lstatic.org/PDF/demographenglish.pdf

https://www.lstatic.org/PDF/demographenglish.pdf



PoliticsA deeply rooted reputation of liberalism leads to the assumption that the media enjoy more freedom inLebanon than in any other Arab country.

The key to politics: sectarianism

Lebanon’s political system, classified as democratic and parliamentary, is in fact a hybrid regime. The need torespect “confessional balance” is often an excuse to deviate from general democratic principles and practices.Lebanon’s consociational regime (see Metadata) was endorsed by the unwritten 1943 National Pact, which wasset to share political power and executive positions between Christians and Muslims, the top ranks beingallocated to a "troïka", the President, a Maronite Christian, the Speaker of the Parliament, a Shiite Muslim, andthe Prime Minister, a Sunni Muslim.

This verbal “understanding” was supposed to reduce the tensions between the co-existing minorities andmaintain the fragile stability of the country. It developed into a distribution of authority between clans anddynasties, ranging from influential feudal chiefs (zaïm) and ex-warlords to heirs of powerful families.Paradoxically, this pattern of co-existence was and still remains both a remedy and a main reason for conflict.The 1989 Taif Agreement destined to end a fifteen year long civil war (1975-1990), systematized it, perpetuatingsectarianism as a key element of Lebanese politics, the media scenery being a mere reflection of this reality.

Using media as a political mouthpiece

Almost all political parties and militias mounted their own media panoply responding to their imperatives ofcommunication. The first two were Sawt Lubnan (Voice of Lebanon), the radio of the Phalange (Kataëb) Party in1958 and LBC, the TV station founded by the Lebanese Forces in 1985. While many print outlets were legallyput up due to the 1962 Press Law, all commercial radio and television stations were created outside any legalframework, eventually breaking up the monopoly attributed to the two state-run outlets Radio Liban and TéléLiban. Not only did each media outlet promote the sectarian views of a local military/political/religious faction,but often served as the mouthpiece for foreign Arab stakeholders who backed up Lebanese protagonistsfinancially. This external support dropped significantly after the toppling of several Arab dictators, most notablySaddam Hussein in Iraq in 2003 and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya in 2011. Funding from Iran, Saudi Arabia,Qatar, and other Gulf countries continued but has also been reduced in the last three years.

Neighboring Syria, being the hegemon of Lebanese politics for over thirty years (1975-2005), manipulated themedia among other “tools” (political leaders, public institutions, and security apparatuses…). The AudiovisualMedia Law No. 382 of 1994 was adopted by a Parliament where pro-Syrian parties had an overwhelmingmajority. Lebanon became the first Arab State to authorize private radio and TV stations to operate within itsborders. However, a number of them – which were operating before the law was adopted – were unable toobtain licenses due to extremely high fees. They were declared illegal and subsequently closed. Licenses weregranted to corporate conglomerates linked to prominent politicians, openly or discreetly loyal to the Syrianregime. Self-censorship became the dominant feature of media performance especially when it came to



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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maronite_Christianity_in_Lebanon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shi%2527a_Islam_in_Lebanon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni_Islam_in_Lebanon








tackling the Syrian presence. Several attacks on freedom of expression occurred, the most prominent being theclosure of Murr TV (MTV) on September 4, 2002.

Polarization of the media scene

After the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (February 14, 2005), the Cedar Revolution (March2005) and the Syrian withdrawal (April 2005), Lebanon was split into two opposing camps: the pro-Syrian March8 alliance and the US-Saudi backed March 14 coalition. March 14 was supported by the Annahar newspaper,the francophone daily L'Orient-Le Jour, the Al-Mustaqbal daily and Future TV (organs of the Future Movement),and the NOW Lebanon website (which is no longer operating). March 8 enjoyed the support of the Assafir andAl-Akhbar newspapers and of audiovisual media as Al-Manar run by Hezbollah, Speaker of Parliament NabihBerri’s NBN, OTV – closely related to the Free Patriotic Movement – and Al-Jadeed (New TV) pleading a leftistobedience though owned by businessman Tahseen Khayat.

In this context, attacks against the media culminated with the assassination of Annahar columnist Samir Kassiron June 2, 2005 and Annahar CEO and MP Gebran Tuéni on December 12, 2005, as well as the assassinationattempt targeting then-LBCI news host May Chidiac on September 25 of the same year.

Seen as weapons, front line battlegrounds, and arenas, all media grew increasingly polarized. To attack one isto attack a “symbol” of a religious community and/or political party, consequently provoking a nationwide crisis.On May 7, 2008, tensions between Sunni and Shiite escalated. Future TV, owned by the Hariri family, was putoff the air by Shiite militia who stormed its studio. Since then, recurrent incidents continue to cause mediaoutlets being caught in the crossfire.



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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lorient-le-jour/

http://http//lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-mustaqbal/














Consociationalism is a form of democracy which seeks to regulate and stabilize a society comprised of diversegroups. More

Samir Kassir, “La guerre du Liban. De la dissension nationale au conflit régional”, Karthala, Paris, 1994.

Kamal Salibi, “A house of many mansions. The history of Lebanon reconsidered.” University of California Press,

1990.

Jamil Abou Assi, « Les médias libanais. Entre confessionnalisme et recherche de crédibilité », Confluences

Méditerranée 2009/2 (N°69), p. 49-59. DOI 10.3917/come.069.0049

Democracy Index 2016 - The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Metadata

Sources



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https://www.britannica.com/topic/consociationalism



EconomyLebanon is a free-market economy, characterized by a strong laissez-faire tradition and unrestricted foreigninvestment. It also has the third highest debt-to-GDP ratio in the world, with most of the debt held internally byLebanese banks.

Mostly service-oriented, the Lebanese economy relies mainly on the banking and tourism sectors as well as oninternational business relations. In 2017, the import of goods and services constituted 46% of the GDP, almosttwice as much as exports (24%). Expatriate remittances account for around a fifth of the economy, rendering ithighly vulnerable to regional crises and local political tension.

Scarce advertising revenues

The Lebanese media industry is small, though fragmented and overcrowded with more than 130 media outletsin total (37 TV stations, 10 newspapers, 35 radio stations – 20 of those focused on politics and 15 merely onentertainment – and no less than 50 websites) serving about 6 million inhabitants. Revenues from sales andadvertisement are extremely limited and thus not able to sustain the plethora of media outlets operating in thecountry.

It is estimated that the entire advertisement market weighs between USD 100 million and USD 180 millionannually. About half of it is going to the television industry, with further deductions due to agency andrepresentative fees. This is clearly too little to sustain the country’s media operations, particularly the nine maintelevision networks included in this study, which typically require at least USD 10-15 million a year to run. Ineconomic terms, the Lebanese market might in fact be large enough only for the two highest-ranked TVnetworks. Similarly, it is also estimated that no newspaper sells more than 8,000 to 9,000 copies per day, whichdoes not supply sufficient advertising revenues to pay for employees, headquarters, and operating expenses.

Moreover, political instability and recurrent crises are a frequently occurring feature of the Lebanese market,which makes advertisers reluctant to spend large sums

As such, media outlets have to turn to other sources of funding. Subsidies in exchange for favorable reportingare considered necessary and politically motivated funding for newspapers and journalists is commonlyaccepted as normal behavior. It is even justified by some on account of the poor salaries and lack of benefitsavailable to journalists.

Political funding of media

Because of the sectarian and politicized nature of Lebanon and its media, the various media institutions tend tofocus exclusively on issues relevant to a particular religious sect or political group rather than on those relevantto the larger Lebanese society. Furthermore, the total population of Lebanon is in itself too small to allow forthe financial self-sufficiency of the 110 licensed political periodicals and the myriad of radio and televisionstations. Given the lack of financial self-sufficiency and the low salaries of the average journalist and employee



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in these companies, media professionals and institutions have no choice than to seek outside subsidies inorder to survive – and thus become subject to the interests tied to these sources of funding.

The most common subsidies come from domestic and foreign, sectarian or political entities in exchange foreditorial support. Foreign and business interests have been using the media to pursue their agendas and exertinfluence on internal and regional affairs. However, due to declining oil revenues and a changing politicallandscape after the Arab Spring form 2011 onwards, foreign investment has declined in the last years.

As media outlets are dependent on their sources of finance, political funding prevents them from doing theirinformation and investigation work objectively, as sources are political for their largest part. As a result, most ofthe media outlets are politically affiliated and often financed by a political party, reflecting the party’s interestsand points of view.

Domestically, election campaigns are a major source of additional advertisement income, beyond the existingpolitical affiliation of most publications. During the 2018 parliamentary election, candidates would have to buyan electoral advertising package, ranging from USD 150,000 to 300,000 in order to appear on talk shows andget their campaign events covered.

Quasi-monopoly in the advertising sector

While it is obvious that the advertising market is highly competitive, it is hard to find reliable numbers. A surveyconducted in 2017 by IPSOS & Nielsen estimates advertisement expenditures to be in the range of 46% fortelevision; 20% for OOH (out of home, like billboards); 17% for print media; 8% for radio; 8% for digital media;and 1% for cinema.

In spite of the Audiovisual Media Law of 1994 (Articles 36, 37 and 39) requiring each advertising agency toservice no more than one television and one radio station at a time, the Choueiri Group controls most of thenational advertising market.

Last not least, the role of market research firms, that provide audience data, is also contested. In an economicenvironment that is only big enough to sustain less than a handful of TV networks, the scarcity ofadvertisement revenues may create conflict of interests in this domain as well. For example, the leading marketresearch company IPSOS has been accused by MTV of shifting numbers in favor of its main client, LBCI.

Worldbank (2018). Country Data Lebanon. Accessed on 18 October 2018

CIA (2018). World Factbook. Lebanon. Accessed on 18 October 2018

Sources



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https://shashat.me/%D9%87%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-lbci-%D9%88mtv-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%85/


https://data.worldbank.org/country/lebanon

https://data.worldbank.org/country/lebanon

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/print_le.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/print_le.html



Trombetta, L. (2018): Lebanon - Media Landscape. European Journalism Centre (EJC). Accessed on 18October 2018

Abou-Zahr, S. (2017): Refugees and the media in Lebanon. Accessed on 18 October 2018

IPSOS & Nielsen (2017). TAM Lebanon 2016 Results. Accessed on 18 October 2018

Bankmed (2015). Analysis of Lebanon’s media and advertising sector.

El-Richani, S. (2016): The Lebanese Media. Anatomy of a System in Perpetual Crisis. Palgrave Macmillan. 122 f

Jaber, F. & Al-Riyahi, I. (2014): Comparative Study: Tax Systems in Six Arab Countries. Arab NGO Network for

Development. Pp. 17-20.

Perry, T. & Lyon, A. (2009). Facts on Lebanon's economy. Accessed on 18 October 2018Sciacchitano, F. (2015): Assessment of Media Legislation in Lebanon. MedMedia. Accessed on 18 October2018

Numbers related to the advertising market are based on the data of Sara El Rachani (see sources).

Metadata



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https://medialandscapes.org/country/pdf/lebanon

https://www.peaceinsight.org/blog/2017/08/refugees-and-media-lebanon/

https://www.peaceinsight.org/blog/2017/08/refugees-and-media-lebanon/

https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/2017-02/TAM_Presentation_2017.pdf

https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/2017-02/TAM_Presentation_2017.pdf

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-election-economy-sb/factbox-facts-on-lebanons-economy-idUSTRE5570SJ20090608

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-election-economy-sb/factbox-facts-on-lebanons-economy-idUSTRE5570SJ20090608

http://www.med-media.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MEDMEDIA_LEBANON.pdf



Legal BackgroundLaws regulating the media do exist in Lebanon; but they are often considered outdated, not adapted tomodern realities, and therefore easily circumvented. Many of Lebanon’s lawmakers and media experts havebeen calling for a comprehensive update of media laws to protect freedom of the press, increase itsindependence and the transparency of the sector.

The Lebanese law does not contain a unified piece of legislation that provides for a general organization of themedia and their activities. Instead, the Lebanese media is principally governed by international texts andprinciples, the Lebanese Penal Code, and laws specific to the press and the audiovisual broadcast sectors.

> Read More: Legal Environment

Media cannot exist without prior licensing from official authorities – whether by the Council of Ministers, theMinistry of Information, or the Directorate General of General Security. The only exception, which has madeLebanon a haven for publishers in the Arab world, is the printing of books. To date, both cable distribution andthe internet remain highly unregulated.

Lebanon has two authorities regulating media and telecommunications:

The National Media Council (NMC); andThe Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), effectively suspended since 2015.

> Read More: Regulatory Authorities

Regulating ownershipThe cost of a license is the first obstacle to owning a media outlet. The only financial requirement from licenseapplicants for a political print publication is a minimum start-up capital of 500,000 LBP (approximately USD333), in addition to a financial guarantee to cover various indemnities and retirement funds to be determinedby the Ministry of Information after consultation with the Press Order (Article 33). In the case of starting a newpolitical periodical, however, the major financial hurdle affecting freedom of expression is the need to acquiretwo existing titles – these sell for up to USD 300,000 for a daily – in order to open up a new periodical; or theacquisition of an existing title and re-launch the newspaper under its established name. In the case of privateterrestrial broadcasting, financial requirements include not only the cost of the license itself (USD 167,000 fortelevision), but there is also an annual “rent” fee (USD 67,000). Although many licensees consider the annual feeto be a heavy burden that affects the survival of mostly small stations in a limited market like Lebanon, the costof the license established during the 1996 licensing process is more problematic.

Due to the license attribution system, the condition to be granted a new license is for publishers to hold two



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/context/law/legal-environment/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/context/law/followpage00/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/context/law/legal-environment/



licenses for a political periodical, provided that they stop publishing the two titles already licensed.

One of the main negative consequences of this condition is that it artificially inflates the value of existinglicenses and has made some license holders reluctant to stop publishing dailies or periodicals for which theyhave a license. Indeed, some licensed newspapers are issued once or twice a year for the sole purpose ofkeeping the license active. While for others, there has been no consequences on license holders for not issuingany publication.

Regulating media contentMedia content and other related matters are referred to in certain provisions of the Lebanese Penal Code,dealing with the offenses of libel, slander and defamation, and other offenses committed by means ofpublication. The Military Justice Code, issued by virtue of Law No. 24 of 1968, also contains provisions punishingfalse allegations and defamation against Lebanese and foreign armies as well as Lebanese and foreign flags,heads of states and ministers, etc.

There are also several pieces of legislation and regulations that organize cinema and theater, foreign books andother printed publications (such as leaflets and brochures). Some of these regulations establish priorcensorship by the General Security on all the aforementioned.

In addition, the Parliamentary Election Law No. 44 of 2017 introduces regulation for electoral campaigning andpaid media advertising.

> Read more: Media and Elections

Lebanon does not have any specific legislation related to social media. It is the general Penal Code as well asthe 1962 Press Law that have been used to summon, arrest and prosecute several bloggers and users of socialmedia by the Lebanese authorities on the grounds of violation of public order, libel, slander, and defamation.At the time of the study, a draft media law addressing all media sectors, including the online sphere, was beingdebated at the Parliament

> Read More: New Media Law in the Pipeline

MOM Legal Assessment

Sources



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/context/law/regulations/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6381&cHash=e57aad936102be8ae719c2b1cf00dc57

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6441&cHash=502798bcfebf55b8cfb61c3c82db559e




A Confused Legal LandscapeThe Lebanese Constitution, a number of international treaties and several other legal texts and regulationscontain provisions that affect directly or indirectly the legal status of media and their functioning. As such,Lebanon guarantees the freedom of expression and freedom of press. In this regard, article 13 of the LebaneseConstitution provides that “The freedom to express one's opinion orally or in writing, the freedom of the press, thefreedom of assembly, and the freedom of association shall be guaranteed within the limits established by law.”

International laws - Lebanon has ratified the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 as well as theInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1972, both guaranteeing the freedom of expression andopinion without interference.

Lebanese laws - Both the Press and the Audiovisual Media Laws clearly state that the press and broadcastingare free but “restricted” by (other) existing laws.

The Press Law of 1962 (as amended by Legislative Decree No. 104 of 1977; the latter Legislative Decree being inturn amended by Law No. 330 of 1994), deals with the organization of the press, ownership of mediacompanies, the licensing process, and the profession of journalist. It also contains criminal provisions inrelation with the prosecution of a certain number of offenses that could be committed by the press such aslibel and defamation, threats to public order, hurting national feeling, disrespect to public morals, or incitementto confessional strife; and establishes a special jurisdiction to try those offences, the Publications Court.Content of press publications does not require prior authorization, licensing or permits, unlike theater andcinema, except for matters explicitly stated by the law. The Press Law states that nothing may be published thatendangers national security, national unity, state frontiers or that insults high ranking Lebanese officials. It alsosets the minimum journalist age to 21, and that a journalist must have a baccalaureate degree and at least fouryears of apprenticeship in journalism.Legislative Decree No. 74 of 1953 provides that no new license is to be given to a new political publication aslong as Lebanon has more than 25 daily and 20 weekly political publications. According to recent statistics, theLebanese press has about 110 licensed political publications, including around 10 currently operating dailies,almost 40 weeklies and four monthly magazines reporting a total circulation of 220,000.However, the decree allows publishers who hold two licenses for a political periodical to obtain a new license,provided that they stop publishing the two titles already licensed. In other words, if anyone wants to start anew newspaper, one has to acquire or hold the licenses for two existing newspapers and then cease their

> The Press Law of 14 September 1962



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publication indefinitely in order to publish the new title.

Allows international non-Arabic language periodicals that are in circulation outside Lebanon to be printed inthe country subject to certain licensing conditions (see MOM Legal Assessment for more information).

The Law on Satellite Broadcasting states that Lebanese satellite broadcasters are “responsible for maintainingthe good relations of their country with other countries.” It is aimed at “showing a stable picture of the countryfrom a political and security perspective,” and encouraging Lebanese immigrants “to have a stable and secureinvestment” in their country of origin. As such, rather than guaranteeing freedom of expression this lawimposes positive content requirements on the satellite broadcasters, effectively entrusting them with anationalistic, propaganda mission.

The Audiovisual Media Law organizes the ownership and licensing of audiovisual media channels and createstwo basic licensing categories for radio or television:

This law ended the state’s theoretical monopoly over audiovisual broadcasting and made Lebanon the firstcountry in the Middle East to establish a regulatory system that allowed private radio and televisionbroadcasting to be both produced and distributed within its borders. It prohibits any person or entity fromowning, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the total shareholding of a single audiovisual media station. Italso provides for criminal offenses that can be committed by media by reference to the provisions of the 1962Press Law in this regard.

> Law No. 152 of 1999

> The Law on Satellite Broadcasting No. 531 of 1996

> The Audiovisual Media Law No. 382 of 1994

Media seeking to broadcast political content; andMedia seeking to broadcast non-political content.

Assessement of Media Legislation in Lebanon (2015)

Sources



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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6370&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=951e46ac9b6a9440c9a162f1a336c98a

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6370&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bcontroller%5D=Document&cHash=951e46ac9b6a9440c9a162f1a336c98a



Media and electionsThe Lebanese parliamentary election law addresses and regulate media coverage of the election. Article 74 –Paragraph 2 lists the practices that are forbidden or considered unlawful.

During the electoral campaign, the audiovisual media, lists and candidates shall abide by the followingobligations:

Yet, none of the aforementioned terms is clearly defined. Their scope remains elastic and is matter tointerpretation.

The wording of Chapter Six of the election law – Media and Electoral Advertising – includes electronic media.But it does not cover campaign-generated videos posted on YouTube, Facebook and other social networks, oreven the candidate’s personal website.

In case of violation of the provisions of this chapter on electoral media and advertising by a media outlet, theSupervisory Committee on Elections can, according to Article 81, “refer the violating media outlet to therelevant Court of Publications, that can take what it sees as the best course of action along the followingmeasures:

These provisions cannot directly be applied to online media unless the Ministry of Telecommunications conveysto Internet Service Providers (ISPs) the order to block access to the incriminated websites. But, an outrightsuspension of programs remains technically impossible.

The Court of Publications shall render its judgment within a maximum of 24 hours. The Public Prosecution andthe accused party may appeal the decision before the Court of Appeal within 24 hours starting from thejudgment declaration date for the Public Prosecution, and from the notification date for the defaulting media.”

To refrain from defaming and slandering lists and candidates.To refrain from broadcasting anything that [encourages] a sectarian or racial sentiment or incitement tocarry out acts of violence, riot or that that supports terrorism, crime or acts of vandalism.To refrain from broadcasting anything that can act as a mean of pressure, intimidation and treason orhinting at incentives or the promising of financial or moral gains.To refrain from distorting, withholding, falsifying, deleting or misrepresenting information.To refrain from airing or rerunning any material that includes the above-mentioned violations where themedia outlet will bear responsibility for violating this law.

Impose a fine on the violating media outlet that ranges between LL50 million [$33,080] and LL 100 million[$66,160].Request the violating media outlet to partially halt its works for three days where this pause will include allprograms, news bulletins, interviews and news and political talk shows.In case of repetition, the media outlets’ work will be fully halted and all of its programs will be stopped for amaximum three days.”



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Parliamentary Election Law - No. 44/2017

Lekas Miller, A. (2016). Digital Rights and Online Expression in Lebanon. Samir Kassir Foundation.

York, J. (August 3, 2015). Hacking Team Leaks Confirm What Arab Privacy Advocates Already Knew.Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Sources



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http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2017/Jul-07/411988-lebanese-electoral-law-2017-full-text-in-english.ashx

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2017/Jul-07/411988-lebanese-electoral-law-2017-full-text-in-english.ashx

http://www.skeyesmedia.org/extensions/pdf/Digital_Rights_in_Lebanon.pdf

http://www.skeyesmedia.org/extensions/pdf/Digital_Rights_in_Lebanon.pdf

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/08/hacking-team-leaks-confirm-what-arab-privacy-advocates-already-knew



Regulatory Authorities

Established by Law 382/1994, the NMC is composed of ten members; five of whom are elected by theParliament and five designated by the Council of Ministers. The NMC’s role is to monitor the performance ofmedia bodies, submit to the Ministry of Information reports on TV and radio programs and news content,submit recommendations to the Council of Ministers, work on developing new laws and regulations, andconduct studies on licensing requests.The NMC is often criticized for its highly conservative line and its lack of effectiveness. It is believed that themembers are chosen mainly along sectarian and political affiliation lines.

The TRA of Lebanon started to operate in 2007. An independent public institution, the TRA was established bythe Telecommunications Law No. 431 of 2002 and is in charge of liberalizing, regulating, and developingtelecommunications in Lebanon. As such, the TRA is supposed to issue licenses, regulations, and decisions. Itmanages the telecommunications spectrum and monitors the market for any abuse of dominant position andanti-competitive practices. The TRA can take remedial action when necessary. However, a decision by the StateShura Council in 2011 and by the Minister of Telecommunications in 2015 suspended the TRA. Its powers havebeen effectively transferred to the Ministry of Telecommunications.

National Media Council (NMC)

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)



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TechnologyThe Internet penetration rose dramatically in Lebanon, from 58% in 2013 to 91% in 2017 with mobilesubscriptions accounting for 76.1% of this number. Nearly every Lebanese owns a smartphone in the countryand 91% use Wi-Fi or data mobile service to connect to the Internet. But despite the demand to regulate themarket and keep it competitive, all the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are required to buy the bandwidth froma sole state-owned company – Ogero – working under the supervision of the Lebanese Ministry ofTelecommunications (MoT).

There are two state-owned ISPs. Since no law regulates their licensing, private ISPs currently obtain a permit bydecree from the Ministry of Telecommunications. As such, political influence can significantly interfere with theallocation of contracts to private ISPs and mobile phone operators.

State Monopoly over Fixed Line Internet DistributionThe MoT owns two submarine cables, one is landing in Cyprus and the other one in Syria. Both were installed inthe second half of 1990s. A third submarine cable links Lebanon to Egypt, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France andPakistan since 2010. Part of it is also owned by the Lebanese public company OGERO - Organisme de Gestion etd'Exploitation de l'ex-Radio Orient, founded in 1972 by the Lebanese State. Working as a contractor for theMoT, Ogero requires all Lebanese ISPs to use its bandwidth but the price at which Ogero buys the bandwidth isnot public. According to Executive Magazine and by the most conservative estimates, Ogero controls over 60%of the market for Internet service provision.

This near-monopoly has direct consequences on access to information. For example in Arsal, a border town innortheast of Lebanon, 160,000 residents were deprived of affordable Internet access for three years at a timewhen armed Islamist groups where frequently clashing with the Lebanese Army in the area. While Ogerocontinues to operate in the town, the installation and monthly fees to obtain fixed-line Internet service wereexorbitant. For this reason, an additional mobile Internet shutdown has effectively cut off the town.

Slow or No InternetDespite the high Internet capacity technically provided by submarine cables, the Internet speed at user level isvery slow in Lebanon and the country lacks the infrastructure for high-quality broadband connections, relyingmostly on existing landline telephone networks. Fixed broadband connection for households in September2018 in Lebanon, according to the Ookla Net Index, averaged for download at 6.22 Mbps (global average: 49.26Mbps) and for upload at 3.64 Mbps (global average: 24.20 Mbps). Lebanon ranked 127 out of 130 countriesincluded in the Index.

The connection is slowed down for several reasons.

Fiber optics: Early 2018, the Prime Minister announced the installation of fiber optics in the country overthe next four years. Installation has started in some neighborhoods of Beirut late 2018.



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https://www.submarinecablemap.com/#/submarine-cable/cadmos

https://www.submarinecablemap.com/#/submarine-cable/berytar

https://www.submarinecablemap.com/#/submarine-cable/imewe

http://www.executive-magazine.com/economics-policy/four-reasons-lebanons-Internet-is-so-slow


http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2017/Apr-26/403359-mobile-Internet-still-elusive-for-arsal-residents.ashx



Mobile ConnectionIn 2017, it was estimated that 76.1% of Lebanese were subscribed to a mobile connection. Mobile Internet, as amore reliable way to access the network, is costly in Lebanon. MTC-touch and Alfa are running Lebanon’smobile networks on behalf of the government and operate as a duopoly. The telecommunication sector isestimated to be worth at least USD 6 billion, which is the “largest single source of much-needed revenue for thegovernment” (Budde). In late 2006 it was stated that telecommunications revenues account for 38% of the statebudget. All tariffs, including in the data services sector, are set by the government.” Insofar there seems verylittle political appetite to open this market for competition that would eventually lead to lower consumer prices,but also to lower revenues for the government.

The main challenges for mobile connection are:

The Will to Regulate Online ContentIn Lebanon, almost one out of two citizens is worried that either the State or the companies check what they doonline. As a result, 75% of them agree that the Internet should be more tightly regulated to protect the privacyof users. There is currently no law to regulate the Internet and online content. The only law pertaining to theInternet, adopted in September 2018, is about electronic transactions and protection of personal data.However, it does not go far enough in the actual protection of citizens’ privacy as the law was drafted severalyears ago, before many of the more recent challenges were identified. Another draft law, covering the entiremedia sector, including online media, is currently in the pipeline of parliamentary committees. The onlyregulatory authority in the telecommunications sector is the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA),whose main mission is to identify the ISPs and grant them a license. It is also in charge of keeping the marketcompetitive and transparent. However, the TRA has been effectively suspended by a judiciary decision in 2011and a ministerial decision in 2015, transferring all its powers to the Ministry of Telecommunications.

Infrastructure: Despite the plans to install fiber optics, Internet speed remains slow for most individualusers. The final part of the connection from the fiber optics network to the households is slowed down bythe much slower copper cable infrastructure.Speed provided by Ogero: While there are no data available on the exact amount of international web-capacity Lebanon is receiving, only a small percentage of this capacity is passed down to the private sectorISPs, according to Executive Magazine.High prices: The Internet prices are set by the government and linked to Internet speeds, and any changeneeds a decree issued by the government. Which means that even if more bandwidth were available, ISPswould have to wait for a government decree to lower their prices for faster Internet.Power cuts: A lack of stable electricity production in Lebanon leads to daily power cuts of up to eight hours.Those who cannot bridge the cuts with privately-owned generators cannot use their Wi-Fi, and havetherefore to recourse to expensive mobile connection.

High costs: mobile data requirement to renew pre-paid lines for a fee every 30 days; andLittle coverage in remote rural areas.

> Read More: New Media Law in the Pipeline



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http://www.mideastmedia.org/survey/2017/chapter/online-privacy/

http://www.mideastmedia.org/survey/2017/chapter/online-privacy/#s235

http://www.mideastmedia.org/survey/2017/chapter/online-privacy/#s235


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6381&cHash=e57aad936102be8ae719c2b1cf00dc57



Information about Ogero company was obtained through LinkedIn social network as the official website

(http://www.ogero.gov.lb) did not respond as of 15 September 2018.

Information about the TRA was obtained on its website (http://www.tra.gov.lb) on 17 September 2018.

Numbers related to the Internet penetration are extracted from the 2017 study of the Northwestern University

in Qatar.

International telecommunications Union (2017). Lebanese country profile.

Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (2009). Decision n°3/2009: Significant Market Power Regulation

Telegeography (2018). Submarine Cable Map. Accessed on 15 September 2018.

Northwestern University in Qatar (2017). Media Use in the Middle East. Accessed on 17 September 2018.

Freedom House (2017). Freedom on the Net: Lebanon. Accessed on 20 September 2018.

Melki, J. et. al. (2012). Mapping Digital Media: Lebanon. Open Society Foundations.

Speedtest.net (2018). Ookla Net Index – Lebanon September 2018. Accessed on 1 November 2018

Livia Murray (2015). Broadband in Lebanon faces layers of obstacles. Accessed on 1 November 2018

Paul Budde Communication (2006). Lebanon - Telecoms Market Overview & Statistics. Accessed on 1November 2018.

Azar, G. (2018). Lebanon to initiate wide-scale fiber optic project. An-nahar. Accessed on 30 November2018.

World Bank (2017). Country Profile: Lebanon. Accessed on 30 November 2018.

Metadata

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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6371&cHash=a42512470b35b514e378a0bc97305251

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6369&cHash=a913bde5ef5406f76edf4168628e08e8

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/?tx_lfrogmom_library%5Baction%5D=show&tx_lfrogmom_library%5Bdocument%5D=6369&cHash=a913bde5ef5406f76edf4168628e08e8

https://www.submarinecablemap.com/

https://www.submarinecablemap.com/

http://www.mideastmedia.org/survey/2017/overview/

http://www.mideastmedia.org/survey/2017/overview/

https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2017/lebanon

https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2017/lebanon

https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/reports/mapping-digital-media-lebanon

https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/reports/mapping-digital-media-lebanon

http://www.speedtest.net/global-index/lebanon#fixed

http://www.speedtest.net/global-index/lebanon#fixed



http://www.databank.com.lb/docs/Lebanon%20Telecoms%20Market%20Overview%202007.pdf

https://en.annahar.com/article/754329-lebanon-to-initiate-widescale-fiber-optic-project

http://databank.worldbank.org/data/views/reports/reportwidget.aspx?Report_Name=CountryProfile&Id=b450fd57

http://databank.worldbank.org/data/views/reports/reportwidget.aspx?Report_Name=CountryProfile&Id=b450fd57



Media Pluralism


HIGH


NO DATA


centration

HIGH


MEDIUM


Concentration

HIGH


MEDIUM


cy

HIGH

(Political) Control overMedia Outlets and Dis-

tribution Networks

MEDIUM TOHIGH


LOW TO HIGH


LOW TOMEDIUM

Is the Lebanese media landscape concentrated and if yes, how strongly? How well does the current lawsafeguard media pluralism? What are the greatest risks to a diverse media coverage that includes all voices, allviewpoints, including criticism of people in power? These ten indicators shed some light on the risks thatindependent media faces and could put media pluralism in Lebanon in jeopardy.



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/#!95cb689906b44c6b604eb2e80a67066b

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/#!95cb689906b44c6b604eb2e80a67066b







A family business

43% of the mediaoutlets covered by theMOM count at least amember of thefollowing 12 families intheir ownership orboard – or both (Tueni,Hariri, Aoun, Mikati,Fares, Murr, Salam,Khayat, Daher-Saad,Khazen, Edde andPharaon – see below).More than 1 out of 3 isalso directly owned byone of them. more

Media ownershipconcentration

Media in the politicalmaze

Most of the surveyedmedia are politicallyaffiliated. Currently,there are no legalprovisions preventingMembers of Parliamentor their familymembers fromholdings shares inmedia organizations.Owners are also notobliged to declare theirpolitical affiliations orany conflict of interestson the forms submittedto the CommercialRegister. In the absenceof such legislation,political ownership ofthe media appears tobe a technically ‘legal’pattern withinLebanon’s medialandscape. more

Media AudienceConcentration

Clouds on Transparency

After nearly a decade ofpreparation, Lebanon’sParliament ratified anAccess to Informationlaw in January 2017. Butaccessing data is stilldifficult because of theabsence of formalprocedures to do so,and because theinformation would beprovided by theCommercial Register,which already providesan interface to accessinformation. more

OwnershipTransparency

Playing with the Law

Respecting the law inLebanon seems to bethe exception. From thedriving code to theConstitution, theculture of lawenforcement has beenhistorically weak andthe laws pertaining tothe media sector are noexception.In the course of theresearch the MOMteam found that no lessthan 43 media ownersare politicians who sitor have served ingovernment and inparliament. This makesaccountability a myth,as they become judgeand party at the sametime. more

Law and Practice



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Indicators of Risks to MediaPluralism


HIGH


NO DATA


centration

HIGH


MEDIUM


Concentration

HIGH


MEDIUM


cy

HIGH

(Political) Control overMedia Outlets and Dis-

tribution Networks

MEDIUM TOHIGH


LOW TO HIGH

Regulatory Safeguards:Net Neutrality

LOW TOMEDIUM

Media Audience Concentration



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/#!680ece4982a9335f4b50e2da3dace648

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/#!680ece4982a9335f4b50e2da3dace648



This indicator assesses the concentration of audience and readership across Lebanon’s media platforms basedon audience share. Concentration is measured by using the nationwide four largest owners in the market.Presented are the sums of the audience shares collected by IPSOS and provided by Vertical Media. With ahighly concentrated TV, print and radio markets, media audience concentration puts a high risk on mediapluralism in Lebanon.Why?Television - The TV market shows the highest audience concentration with the four major companies reaching78.1% of the audience. The first three owners alone gather almost 70% of the audience. The market leader isthe Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI), which is co-owned by the Pierre El Daher (46.5%)and Issam Fares (20%) and their respective relatives among others. More than one Lebanese out of four watch



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/fileadmin/Editorial/Lebanon/Infographics/Infographics_ENGLISH/Audience_concentration-01.png






LBCI (25.8% of the audience). Second is Al Jadeed, which is mainly owned by Tahseen Khayat’s family (58.1%)and gathers 22% of the audience. Meanwhile, Michel Gabriel Murr’s family reaches one Lebanese out of five(20% of the audience), through MTV. The Free Patriotic Movement-affiliated OTV is the fourth-ranking companyreaching 10.1% of the audience; it is partly owned by the family of Lebanon’s current President Michel Aoun.

TV AUDIENCE CONCENTRATION :78.1%

Radio - The radio market is very concentrated with the four major companies gathering 72% of the audience.They are also clearly politically affiliated. The leading company is Société Moderne d’Information S.A.L., mainlyowned by Imad Khazen and his two brothers and gathering 20.7% of the audience through Voix du Liban 93.3FM. It is closely followed by Liban Libre pour la Production et la Diffusion S.A.L., fully owned by the LebaneseForces political party reaching 17.8% of the audience through Radio Liban Libre. The third-ranking owner is MPElias Bou Saab, affiliated to the Free Patriotic Movement, owning 99% of Al Mada Group S.A.R.L., reaching 17%of the audience through Sawt El Mada. In fourth position, the Phalange Party fully owns the Société Nouvelled'Information Audiovisuelle S.A.L., reaching 16.5% of the audience through Voix du Liban 100.3 FM. As such, theradio market is also highly politicized as political parties own outlets gathering 51.3% of the audience.

RADIO AUDIENCECONCENTRATION : 72%

Société Moderne d’Information S.A.L. - Voix du Liban 93.3 FM(20.7%)

Liban Libre pour la Production et la Diffusion S.A.L. - RadioLiban Libre (17.8%)

Daher-Saad familyIssam Fares

Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International - LBCI(25.8%)

Khayat family Al Jadeed S.A.L.- Al Jadeed (22%)

Michel Gabriel Murr familyJoseph Sarkis

MTV S.A.L. - MTV (20.1%)

Aoun family Alubnianiya lil Ilam - OTV

Khazen family

Lebanese Forces



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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/free-patriotic-movement/









http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/joseph-sarkis/





http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/khazen-family/



http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/liban-libre-pour-la-production-et-la-diffusion-sal/






http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/free-patriotic-movement/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/al-mada-group-sarl/


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/phalange-party/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/societe-nouvelle-dinformation-audiovisuelle-sal/

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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/khazen-family/







RADIO AUDIENCECONCENTRATION : 72%

Al Mada Gourp S.A.R.L - Sawt El Mada (17%)

Societe Nouvelle d'Information Audiovisuelle S.A.R.L - Voix du Liban100.3 FM (16.5%)

Lebanese Communication Group L.C.G SAL : Al Nour (13%)

Print - The print market is also very concentrated, with the four major companies reaching 77.9% of theaudience. The leading company on the market is Al Joumhouria News Corp S.A.L., reaching 22.4% of theaudience and almost fully owned by the Michel Elias Murr family. Next is Annahar S.A.L. co-owned by the Tuéniand Hariri families among others. Annahar S.A.L. reaches 21.9% of the audience through the daily Annahar. Thethird-ranking owner is Akhbar Beirut S.A.L., the publishing house of Al-Akhbar newspaper, gathering 18.2% ofthe audience, co-owned by its Editor-in-Chief, Ibrahim Al-Amine and Youssef Wehbi. In the fourth position, AlNahda S.A.L., almost fully owned by its Editor-in-Chief Charles Ayoub and in which Saudi Prince Al Waleed BinTalal’s Kingdom Holding has a symbolic share, reaches 15.4% of the audience through Addiyar dailynewspaper.

PRINT READERSHIP CONCENTRATION :77.9%

Al Joumhouria News Corp. S.A.L.- Al Joumhouria(22.4%)

Annahar S.A.L.- Annahar (21.9%)

Akhbar Beirut S.A.L.- Al Akhbar (18.2%)

Al Nahda S.A.L.- Addiyar (15.4%)

Online - For the online market, data was only available in terms of unique visitors but not as audience share.

Elias Bou Saab (Free PatrioticMovement)

Phalange Party

Hezbollah

Michel Elias Murr family

Hariri family also involved in Al MustaqbalTueni family

Ibrahim Al AmineYoussef Wehbi

Charles AyoubAl Waleed Bin Talal



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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/al-joumhouria-news-corp-sal/


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/annahar-sal/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/annahar-sal/


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/akhbar-beirut-sal/


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/ibrahim-al-amine/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/youssef-wehbi/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/al-nahda-sal/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/al-nahda-sal/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/charles-ayoub/








http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/tueni-family/


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/ibrahim-al-amine/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/youssef-wehbi/







This prevented the calculation of an audience concentration for the online news market. Some of the mostpopular websites, however, belong to companies and owners that also publish other media outlets, whichstrengthens their cross-media presence.

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

Audience concentration in television (horizontal) : 78.1%

If within one country the majorfour owners (Top4) have anaudience share below 25%.

If within one country the major fourowners (Top4) have an audienceshare between 25% and 49%.

If within one country the majorfour owners (Top4) have anaudience share above 50%.

Audience concentration in radio (horizontal) : 72%



If within one country the majorfour owners (Top4) have anaudience share above 50%

Readership concentration in newspapers (horizontal) : 77.9%

If within one country the majorfour owners (Top4) have areadership share below 25%.

If within one country the major fourowners (Top4) have a readershipshare between 25% and 49%.

If within one country the majorfour owners (Top4) have areadership share above 50%.

Audience concentration in online (horizontal) : Audience share not available ; only unique browsers



If within one country the majorfour owners (Top4) have anaudience share above 50%.

Result: No DataThis indicator aims to assess the horizontal ownership concentration based on market share, which illustratesthe economic power of companies/groups. Concentration is measured for each media sector by adding themarket shares of the four major owners in the sector.No financial information is available on the media market as a whole. None of the contacted media outletsshared their financial information. Therefore, market share for the companies studied remains unknown andmedia ownership concentration based on market share could not be computed. In accordance with the MOMmethodology, if the country presents data on audience, but not on revenues/market share: the market sharedata is excluded from the analysis, i.e., the findings are based on the audience data alone and the revenue data

Media Market Concentration



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is considered optional.

Why?Generally, monopolistic practices are regulated by the Lebanese commercial legislation (mainly article 14 ofLegislative decree No. 73 of 1983), but there is nothing specific to the media sector. There is no administrativeauthority or judicial body monitoring compliance with the threshold in the broadcast, online or print sector.Criminal courts theoretically enforce the articles against monopolistic practices of the commercial legislation.Media ownership concentration is largely addressed through the 1962 Press Law and the 1994 AudiovisualMedia Law. According to the 1962 Press Law, the owner and all shareholders of a media company must beLebanese citizens. Article 31 also states that one person is allowed own a newspaper. According to the 1994Audiovisual Media Law, any person or entity cannot own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the totalshareholding of a single broadcast media station. However, this provision is circumvented in several instances.In the broadcast sector (TV and Radio), the National Media Council studies licensing requests. It monitorsthe performance of media bodies, submits reports to the Ministry of Information on the TV and radio programsand news content, submits recommendations to the Council of Ministers, and works on drafting laws andregulations.The print sector is formally organized into two bodies: the Lebanese Press Order for owners and the LebanesePress Editors Syndicate for editors and journalists. There is, however, no administrative authority or judicialbody actively monitoring compliance with the media concentration regulations. The 1962 Press Law requiresthat any newspaper or periodical that wants to publish news on political events must first obtain a legislativedecree granting it a Category 1 licence.Ownership concentration in the online sector is not regulated. The Telecommunications Regulatory Agency(TRA) is the only agency regulating the spectrum and attributing licences to Internet Service Providers (ISPs), butin fact the TRA has been suspended and its powers transferred to the Ministry of Telecommunications.For more information, read MOM Lebanon Legal Assessment.Regulatory Safeguard Score:4 out of 20 – High Risk (20%).1 = media-specific regulation/ authority0.5= competition-related regulation/ authority

Table summarizes TV/Radio/Online/Print - Max. score: 4 per sector.

Description Yes No NA MD

Does the media legislation contain

specific thresholds or limits, based onobjective criteria (e.g. number of licenses,

This question aims toassess the existence ofregulatory safeguards

2

Regulatory Safeguards: Media Ownership Concentration

This indicator assesses the existence and effective implementation ofregulatory safeguards (sector-specific and/or competition law) against a highhorizontal concentration ownership and/or control in the different media.

Result: High Risk



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http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/findings/





audience share, circulation, distribution ofshare capital or voting rights, turnover/revenue)

to prevent a high level of horizontalconcentration of ownership and/or controlin this sector?

(sector-specific) against ahigh horizontalconcentration ofownership and/orcontrol in the Televisionsector.

Is there an administrative authority or judicialbody actively monitoring compliance with thethresholds in the print sector and/or hearingcomplaints? (e.g. media and/or competitionauthority)?

This variable aims toassess if the law/regulation provides adue monitoring andsanctioning system forthe regulation onaudiovisual mediaconcentration.

0

Does the law grant this body sanctioning/enforcement powers in order to imposeproportionate remedies (behavioral and/orstructural) in case of non-respect of thethresholds?

The variable aims atassessing if the law isproviding a due systemof sanctions to sector-specific regulation, suchas:-Refusal of additionallicences;-Blocking of a merger oracquisition;-Obligation to allocatewindows for third partyprogramming;- Obligation to give uplicences/activities inother media sectors;-divestiture.

0

Are these sanctioning/enforcement powerseffectively used?

This indicator aims toassess the effectiveimplementation ofsector-specific remediesagainst a high horizontal

Low risk:therelevantauthorityeffectively



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concentration ofownership and/orcontrol in the televisionmedia.

uses itssanctioningpowers inall therelevantcases

Mediumrisk: theauthority'spowers arenot alwaysused in alltherelevant

2

Total 4

Disclaimer: We acknowledge that data of audience reach is difficult, to some extent impossible to compare. Forexample, how can one combine metrics like numbers of newspapers sold, clicks online and TV ratings – provided thatthe data is correct – in one consolidated indicator? In media studies and market research firms, this dilemma is beingaddressed but not solved yet. We are not pretending to have done so. However, our methodology is designed toindicate certain trends of cross-media concentration and to provide transparency and explanations of how wereached this conclusion.

Cross-media Ownership Concentration

This indicator aims to assess the concentration of ownership across thedifferent sectors – TV, print, audio, and any other relevant media – of themedia industry. Cross-media concentration is measured by adding up themarket shares of the top-8 media companies or owners. In this case, financialmarket shares were not always available. Cross-media ownership was insteadcalculated on the basis of weighted audience shares for the print, radio andTV market. Audience shares for online outlets were not available. The resultsare not an indicator for economic strength in different media sectors butrather for the potential influence on public opinion when considering allmedia types.

Result: Medium Risk



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Why?We are unable to identify the top 8 firms with the highest revenue across all media sectors (TV, radio,newspapers, and online content providers) due to lack of financial data. Instead, this indicator is calculatedbased on audience shares and as such, the results presented are not an indicator of economic strength indifferent media sectors but rather for the potential influence on public opinion.The MOM team identified five major owners holding shares in media outlets across television, radio, and printsectors based on audience share. Almost all of the selected media outlets have online editions. However, as ofnow, due to the lack of online audience data, we are unable to calculate their reach through online platforms.Therefore, the actual cross-media audience share would exceed the findings whenever media owners also runonline outlets. Therefore, the data provided might not show the full picture or could even be anunderestimation of the real audience reach and potential influence on public opinion these owners might have.No audience share has been used since we lack this data in the online sector, but the media specific audienceshare was used when calculating in comparison to the overall media market. However, from observation, wecan identify certain owners who have activities in more than one media sector and outlet, e.g. the Hariri family.Media consumption is much different in Lebanon than other developing countries; people tend to watch TVmuch more than listen to radio or read newspapers. Different media sectors have different relevance andtherefore weight and influence in Lebanese society.

Overall Media Market

Smartphone 76% 29.3

Computer 21% 8.1

Tablet 10% 3.9

Newspapers 96% 37.1

Radio 39% 15.1

Media ownership in Lebanon is fragmented among several owners. Cross-media ownership is mostly presentamong parties (FPM, Hezbollah, Lebanese Forces, and Amal Movement) and two major families (Hariri andMikati). Most media outlets are owned through companies, but the owners of a significant number of thesecompanies belong to a handful of major players in all the different media sectors.The Hariri Family, who are the only owners who have shares in all media sectors (print, radio and TV sector)and own major shares in media outlets. Their audience combines:

The Mikati family, who own major shares in media outlets in the TV and online sector. Their audience

29.6 % of the print audience through Al Mustaqbal, Daily Star and Annahar,7.7 % of the radio audience through Radio Orient, and7.8 % of the TV audience through Future TV,In addition to the audience reached through the online platforms associated with the media outlets, whichcannot be identified in numbers.



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combines:

The Lebanese State, which owns a TV station and a radio station (in addition to the National News Agency).Their audience combines:

Hezbollah, which owns media outlets in the radio and TV sectors through the Lebanese Communication GroupL.C.G. SAL, in addition to Al Ahed news website. Their audience combines:

The Lebanese Forces, which own media outlets in the radio, print (Al-Massira magazine) and online sector,pending the final court decision about LBCI’s ownership. Their audience combines:

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

If within one country the majoreight owners (Top8) have amarket share below 50% acrossthe different media sectors.

If within one country the majoreight owners (Top8) have anaudience share between 50% and69% across the different mediasectors.

If within one country the majoreight owners (Top8) have amarket share above 70% acrossthe different media sectors.

Meta Data:The audience shares in print, TV and radio were weighted in accordance with media consumption habits in thecountry: print 6.6%, TV 37.1%, radio 15.1%. As the sum of these three is equal to 58.8%, we consider thisnumber as 100, i.e. it is taken as the new universe. The sum of the audience shares of top-5 owners is weightedin accordance with the new universe.The number of unique browsers is an average of the numbers of August, September and October 2018. The

25.8% of the TV audience through LBC,567,240 unique browsers through Lebanon 24,In addition to the audience reached through the online platforms associated with the media outlets, whichcannot be identified in numbers.

7.2 % of TV audience through Télé Liban, and0.5 % of radio audience through Radio Liban,In addition to the audience reached through the online platforms associated with the media outlets, whichcannot be identified in numbers.

13 % of the radio audience through Al-Nour, and4 % of the TV audience through Al-Manar,In addition to the audience reached through the online platforms associated with the media outlets, whichcannot be identified in numbers.

17.8 % of the radio audience through Radio Liban Libre, and206,421 unique browsers through their website Lebanese-Forces.com,In addition to the audience reached through the online platforms associated with the media outlets, whichcannot be identified in numbers.



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data was provided by Vertical Media.

Why?

For more information, read MOM Lebanon Legal Assessment.Regulatory Safeguard Score:1 out of 8 - High Risk (Regulation: 12.5%)

CROSS-MEDIA OWNERSHIP Description Yes No NA MD

Does the media legislation containspecific thresholds, based on objectivecriteria, such as number of licences,audience share, circulation, distributionof share capital or voting rights,turnover/revenue, to prevent a highdegree of cross-ownership between thedifferent media?

This indicator aims to assess theexistence of regulatorysafeguards (sector-specific and/or competition law) against ahigh degree of cross-ownershipin different media sectors.

0.5

Is there an administrative authority or This variable aims to assess if 0

Regulatory Safeguards: Cross-media Ownership Concentration

There is no authority actively monitoring cross-media ownership. Generally, monopolistic practices areregulated by the Lebanese commercial legislation (mainly article 14 of Legislative Decree No. 73 of 1983).However, no regulation deals specifically with media concentration. Media ownership concentration islargely addressed through the 1962 Press Law and the 1994 Audiovisual Media Law.

According to article 12 of the 1994 Audiovisual Media Law, a company is allowed to own a maximum of twobroadcast companies simultaneously: one TV and one radio station. It cannot own two TV stations or tworadio stations. This restriction applies only to TV and radio and there is no mention related to ownership ofcable, Internet and newspapers. There is no mention either of a limited market share. As such, it is on paperpossible for a company to own a license for a TV and a radio that can cover 99% of the market. It would alsobe possible for this company to own all newspapers and ISPs in the country.

The 1962 Press Law does not deal with any form of cross-media ownership.

Generally, the commercial law is enforced based on the political and/or financial power of the respondentbut there has not been any judicial case related to media mergers and cross-ownership.

This indicator aims to assess the existence and effective implementation ofregulatory safeguards (sector-specific and/or competition law) against a highdegree of cross-ownership between media types (press, TV, radio, internet).

Result: High Risk



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judicial body actively monitoringcompliance with these thresholds and/orhearing complaints? (e.g. mediaauthority=1, competition authority=0.5)

the law/regulation provides adue monitoring and sanctioningsystem for the regulation onaudiovisual mediaconcentration.

Does the law grant body sanctioning/enforcement powers in order to imposeproportionate remedies (behaviouraland/or structural) in case of non-respectof the thresholds?

The variable aims at assessing ifthe law is providing a duesystem of sanctions to sector-specific regulation, such as:- Refusal of additional licences;- Blocking of a merger oracquisition;- Obligation to allocate windowsfor third party programming;- Obligation to give up licences/activities in other media sectors- divestiture.

0.5

Are these sanctioning/enforcementpowers effectively used?

The question aims at assessingthe effectiveness of theremedies provided by theregulation.

Low risk:therelevantauthorityeffectivelyuses itssanctioningpowers inall therelevantcases

Mediumrisk: theauthority'spowers arenot alwaysused in allthe



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relevantcases

High risk:therelevantauthoritynever usesitssanctioningpowers

0

Can a high degree of cross-ownershipbetween different media be preventedvia merger control/competition rulesthat take into account the specificities ofthe media sector?

For instance, cross-ownershipcan be prevented by comptetionlaw:- by the mandatory interventionof a media authority in M&Acases (for instance, theobligation for the competitionauthority to ask the advice ofthe media authority);- by the possibility to overrulethe approval of a concentrationby the competition authority forreasons of media pluralism (orPublic interest in general);Even though the law does not

contain media-specificprovisions - it does not excludethe media sector from its scopeof application.

0

Is there an administrative authority orjudicial body actively monitoringcompliance with these rules and/orhearing complaints? (e.g. media and/orcompetition authority)

This variable aims to assess ifthe law/regulation provides adue monitoring and sanctioningsystem for the regulationagainst a high degree of cross-ownership in different media

0



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sectors via merger control/competition rules.

Does the law grant body sanctioning/enforcement powers in order to imposeproportionate remedies (behaviouraland/or structural) in case of non-respectof the thresholds?

Examples sanctioning/enforcement powers andremedies:- blocking of a merger oracquisition;- obligation to allocate windowsfor third party programming;- must carryobligation to give uplicences/activities in other mediasectors;- divestiture.

0

Are these sanctioning/enforcementpowers effectively used?

The question aims at assessingthe effectiveness of theremedies of the regulation.

Low risk:therelevantauthorityeffectivelyuses itssanctioningpowers inall therelevantcases

Mediumrisk: theauthority'spowers arenot alwaysused in alltherelevantcases

High risk: 0



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therelevantauthoritynever usesitssanctioningpowers

Total (Mean of L-e and L-I sub-indicators)

1 out of 8

Why?There is no obligation for media companies to disclose their ownership structures on their respective websitesor printed publications. Most of the data related to ownership was obtained through the Commercial Registerat the Ministry of Justice.There is currently no legal instrument in Lebanon that mandates for political actors to disclose their affiliationwith media companies. Similarly, there is no legislation that prohibits conflict of interest to prevent politicalactors from holding political office while owning a media outlet. However, like all companies and business inLebanon, media companies have to be registered at the Commercial Register. Each company profile, whichincludes the list of owners and the shares they hold is available for a price of LBP 6,000 (around USD 4).In order to complete missing data, which was available neither online nor offline, all media outlets included inthis study (37) were contacted – through the media outlet and through the company – with a questionnaire.

Ownership Transparency

Three Lebanese media outlets were actively transparent (8.1%). This means three media outletspublished information on their websites or in publicly accessible reports: the state-owned Radio Liban, theFree Patriotic Movement's website Tayyar.org and the Lebanese Forces’ website. The two websites are notregistered as companies, as it is not compulsory for websites to register as such.

Passive transparency was also low (21.6%). Passive transparency refers to outlets that providedinformation in response to our request. The list includes Al-Manar TV station, three radio stations (Al-Nour, VDL 93.3, and VDL 100.3), and three news websites (Al Kalima Online, Lebanon Debate, Ya Sour).Representatives of L’Orient-Le Jour newspaper contacted the research team and provided some information

This indicator assesses the transparency of data about the political affiliationsof media owners as ownership transparency is a crucial precondition toenforce media pluralism.

Result: Medium Risk



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MOM Information Requests were sent out by email and were followed up with further emails during the courseof the research. However, only eight outlets have provided detailed replies to our requests in written form, viaemail or through phone calls. These outlets are: Al-Manar, Al-Nour, VDL 93.3, and VDL 100.3, Al Kalima Online,Lebanon Debate, Ya Sour, and L’Orient-Le Jour.

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

How would you assess the transparency and accessibility of data about the media ownership?Active Transparency – 8.1%Passive Transparency – 21.6%Data Publicly Available – 67.6%Data Unavailable – 2.7%Active Disguise - 0%

Data on media ownersas well as theirpolitical affiliations ispublicly available andtransparent.(Active Transparency)Code if that appliesto > 75% of thesample

Data of media owners and theirpolitical affiliations are disclosedbased on investigations ofjournalists and media activists orupon request.(Passive Transparency, PubliclyAvailable)Code if that applies > 50% of thesample.

Data on political affiliations of mediaowners are not easily accessible by thepublic and investigative journalists ofactivists are not successful in disclosingthese data.(Data Unavailable, Active Disguise)Code if data is available for < 50% of thesample

orally. Only one outlet, Al Kalima Online, provided some financial data (8 outlets of 37).

For the majority of media outlets (67.6%), data was publicly available (25 outlets out of 37) at theCommercial Register. However, the quality of the official company profiles was poor and data was oftenobviously outdated, with changes in ownership not recorded.

Data was assessed unavailable for one media outlet (MTV). Although names of the shareholders wereregistered, no number of shares was available at the Commercial Register although it is required by law (seeLegal Assessment). The same applies to the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese Communication Group L.G.C. SAL(owner of Al-Manar and Al-Nour). These two outlets responded to our questionnaire, but neither in theirresponse nor on the company profile in the Commercial Register were the number of shares pershareholder made public.

No company actively disguised the ownership structure, e.g. through bogus companies. However, theMOM team found out various ownership set-ups.



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company//lebanese-communication-group-lcg-sal/












Why?All Lebanese companies are required to register their minutes of meetings with the Commercial Register withno specific requirements for media companies. Companies that do not register their minutes are fined for eachmonth and/or year of delay by the Ministry of Finance and the Commercial Register, operating under theMinistry of Justice. For transfers of shares and new members, registration is not immediately required, and if achange in the management of the company (director, board of directors, chairman) is not recorded, companiesare not fined. However, they cannot move on with any other procedure requiring registration before theminutes of the meeting related to the change in the management are registered.

For more information, read MOM Lebanon Legal Assessment.Regulatory Safeguard Score:8 out of 20 - High Risk (40%). Table shows TV, radio, press, online summarized. Max. score: 5 per sector.

Transparency Provisions Description Yes No NA MD

Does national (media, company, tax...) lawcontain transparency and disclosureprovisions obliging media companies topublish their ownership structures ontheir website or in records/documentsthat are accessible to the public?

The aim of the question is tocheck regulatory safeguard fortransparency towards thecitizens, the users and the publicin general.

2

Does national (media, company, tax...) lawcontain transparency and disclosureprovisions obliging media companies to

The aim of the question is tocheck regulatory safeguard foraccountability and transparency

2

Regulatory Safeguards: Ownership Transparency

Audiovisual Media Law No. 382 of 1994 requires broadcast corporations (TV and radio) to submit theirfinancial accounts every six months to the Ministry of Information. These accounts include the amounts orrevenues arising from the corporation’s activity. Directors who refrain from submitting the company’s saidreports are liable to prosecution (three to six-month prison sentence and/or LBP 10 to 30 million fine -about USD 6,600 to 20,000. (link to legal assessment)Law of the Right to Information of 2017. It enables anyone, being an individual or an entity, to obtaininformation and documents held by government services. The scope of the law excludes private life andmilitary secret matters, and judicial decisions related to minors and personal status. Implementationdecrees are still on hold.

This indicator aims to assess the existence andeffective implementation of transparency anddisclosure provisions with regard to media ownershipand/or control.

Result: High Risk



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report (changes in) ownership structuresto public authorities (such as the mediaauthority)?

towards public authorities.

Is there an obligation by national law todisclose relevant information after everychange in ownership structure?

This question aims at assessingif the law provides rules on thepublic availability of accurateand up-to-date data on mediaownership. This is a conditionfor an effective transparency.

2

Are there any sanctions in case of non-respect of disclosure obligations?

This question aims at assessingif the law on media ownershiptransparency can be enforcedthrough the application ofsanctions.

2

Do the obligations ensure that the publicknows which legal or natural personeffectively owns or controls the mediacompany?

This question aim at assessingthe effectiveness of the laws thatdeal with media ownershiptransparency and if theysucceed in disclosing the realowners of the media outlets.

No

Total 8 out of 20

Why?In Lebanon, politics and media have very close ties as the licences were often attributed in a way that reflectsthe diversity of political views in the country. Most of the media owners are directly or indirectly politically

(Political) Control Over Media Outlets and Distribution Networks

This indicator assesses the risk of political affiliations and control over mediaand distribution networks. It also assesses the level of discrimination bypolitically affiliated media distribution networks. Discriminatory actions wouldfor example include unfavourable pricing and posing barriers to mediaaccessing the distribution channel. Political Affiliations means that the mediaoutlet or company belongs to a party, a partisan group, a party leader or aclearly partisan person.

Result: Medium to High Risk



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affiliated and allegiances and indirect affiliations shift with financial needs. This is the reason why the risk ofpolitical control of media outlets and distribution networks is assessed as high for media pluralism. Forexample, most of the outlets that are not directly controlled by a political party adopt editorial lines thatsupport a political group or a strong political leader. The main groups are the pro-March 14 Alliance (whoseviews are reflected in (Future TV, MTV, Annahar, Al-Liwaa, El-Shark, L’Orient-Le Jour, The Daily Star, VDL 100.5,Radio Orient, Radio Liban Libre, Lebanese-Forces.com, and Janoubia) and the pro-March 8 Alliance (whoseviews are reflected in Al-Manar, NBN, Al-Jadeed, Al-Akhbar, Al-Binaa, and Addiyar). You can read moreinformation about the political affiliations here.Out of the 60 owners listed, almost one out of two is politically affiliated (47%). This involves 29 of the 37surveyed media outlets (78.4%).The TV sector is the most politically affiliated, as all nine outlets have direct connections with the State, politicalparties, and currently active or aspiring politicians. One channel is state-owned. Six are owned or co-owned bycurrently active politicians, and while two TV channels do not have a direct affiliation to a political party, theyare co-owned by business figures who have sought political office. As a whole, politically affiliated owners reach100% of the audience.The print sector comes as a close second in terms of political affiliation with nine dailies out of ten closelylinked to political players. Al Mustaqbal, The Daily Star, Annahar, Al Joumhouria, L’Orient Le Jour, and Al-Akhbarhave among their owners currently active Members of Parliament and the executive; Al-Binaa is owned by apolitical party, and Addiyar and Al-Liwaa are owned by individuals who have run for office. This represents 99%of the readership.The radio sector is also very politicized with seven stations out of eight stations owned/controlled by a specificpolitical party, politician or political grouping, or by an owner with a specific political affiliation, reaching 79.3%of the audience.The online news is a sector where political affiliations are also very clear, as all political parties represented inParliament have their own political website serving as a news platform. Four websites out of the 10 selectedoutlets have politically affiliated owners. This represents more than 1.5 million unique browsers.Political affiliations of media owners

The Lebanese State (Radio Liban, Télé Liban): the State’s legal monopoly on broadcasting ended in 1994with the implementation of the Audiovisual Media Law, making Lebanon the first country in the Middle Eastto establish a regulatory system for permitting private radio and television broadcasting to be bothproduced and distributed within its borders.

The Phalange Party (Voix du Liban 100.3): ten co-owners, including eight high-ranking officials of the party,formally own the company on behalf of the actual party.

The Lebanese Forces (Radio Liban Libre, Lebanese-forces.com): among the 17 co-owners of the companyowning Radio Liban Libre, 11 are officials of the party. The Lebanese Forces party is also the official ownerand editor of the party’s website.

The Lebanese Communist Party (Sawt El Shaab): while the legal set-up of the radio and the licensedcompany does not indicate direct ownership by the Lebanese Communist Party, most shareholders andadministrators are affiliated with the party and do not hide the link between the radio and the party.

Hezbollah (Al Nour, Al Manar): members of the board of the Lebanese Communication Group L.C.G SAL are



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all high-ranking Hezbollah officials, including two former Members of Parliament, Abdallah Kassir andMohammad Haidar.

The Syrian Social Nationalist Party (Al Binaa), through Al-Sharika Al-Qawmiya lil I’lam, owned by three highranking officials of the party.

The Hariri Family (Radio Orient, Future TV, Al Mustaqbal, The Daily Star, and Annahar), led by PrimeMinister Saad Hariri, president of the Future Movement. In these different outlets, additional shareholdersare close allies of the family and/or belong to the same political party. The administrations of the outlets donot have links with the party structure but with the Hariri family directly.

Aoun Family (OTV): the family of the current President of the Lebanese Republic Michel Aoun, founder ofthe Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), owns 12.8% of the OTV Holding shares, and 50% of Alubnaniah lilIlam, which owns OTV’s broadcasting license. OTV Holding is the only media company that opened shares tothe public and most of the public owners are FPM affiliated.

Elias Bou Saab (Sawt El Mada) is an MP of the FPM and owns 99% of the radio’s shares.

The influence of FPM is reinforced through Tayyar.org, which is the official party website, however notofficially registered as a separate company.

The Berri Family (NBN): members of the family of Parliament Speaker and Amal Movement leader NabihBerri appear in the ownership structure of the TV station (19.7%), alongside members of the HamdanFamily, which include close political allies of Nabih Berri, among whom his media advisor Ali Hamdan.

The Tuéni Family (Annahar): The family established Annahar and today holds 23% of the shares. The Tuénifamily has been historically involved in Lebanese politics, and is also connected to current EducationMinister Marwan Hamadé (affiliated to the Progressive Socialist Party), the brother-in-law of late AnnaharCEO Ghassan Tuéni, who owns 0.15% of its shares.

Michel Elias Murr Family (Al Joumhouria), which is also connected to the Tuéni family (Michel Elias Murrbeing the grandfather of current Annahar CEO Nayla Tuéni), and to the other branches of the Murr family(owning respectively MTV and El-Nashra).

The Eddé Family (L’Orient Le Jour): former Minister Michel Eddé served in several cabinets, the latest wereled by former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in the 1990s.

The Pharaon Family (L’Orient Le Jour): current Minister of State for Planning Michel Pharaon is a close allyof the Lebanese Forces, after years of alliance with the Future Movement.

The Mikati Family (Lebanon24, LBCI): Najib Mikati is an MP. He served twice as Lebanon Prime Minister in2005 and from 2011 to 2013.



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//aoun-family/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//elias-bou-saab/



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//hamdan-family/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//hamdan-family/



https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//edde-family/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//pharaon-family/




And while the main owners of Al-Akhbar (Ibrahim Al Amine) and Al Jadeed (Tahseen Khayat) are not formallymembers of any party, they are very active political players and commentators, with strong and public politicalleanings.

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

POLITICIZATION OF MEDIA OUTLETS

What is the share of TV media owned by politically affiliated entities?

The media having <30%audience share is owned

The media having <50% - >30%audience share is owned

The media having >50%audience share is owned

The Gabriel Murr Family (MTV): Gabriel Murr ran for Parliament in 2002, and is the brother of Michel EliasMurr.

The Frem Family (Télé Lumière/Noursat): Neemat Frem is an MP, and son of a former Minister and MP. It isone of the main families of the Kesrwan region.

Abdallah Zakhem (Al Jadeed): ran for Parliament in 2018. He is known to be close to the MaradaMovement.

Nizar Younes (Al Jadeed): ran for the 2000 elections and his brother for the 2005 elections. He is close tothe FPM.

Ali Al Amine (Janoubia): ran for Parliament in 2018 in alliance with the Lebanese Forces on an anti-Hezbollah platform. He has a very strong political leaning.

Issam Fares (LBCI) is a former Deputy Prime Minister.

William Mjalli (NBN) is the Director of former Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares’ charity foundation.

Hani Hammoud (Future TV) is a member of Prime Minister’s Saad Hariri staff and is affiliated to the FutureMovement.

Ahmad Hussein (NBN) is affiliated to the Amal Movement.

Kassem Soueid (NBN) is affiliated to the Amal Movement.

Mustapha El Husseini (Al-Akhbar) is a Member of Parliament, who owns with his children Sun Press S.A.L,controlling 18.8% of the shares of Akhbar Beirut S.A.L.



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//gabriel-murr-family/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//frem-family/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//abdallah-zakhem/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//nizar-younes/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//ali-al-amine/


https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//william-mjalli/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//hani-hammoud/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//ahmad-hussein/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//kassem-soueid/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//moustafa-el-husseini/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner//ibrahim-al-amine/




LOW MEDIUM HIGH

(controlled) by a specific politicalparty, politician or politicalgrouping, or by an owner withspecific political affiliation.



What is the share of Radio channels owned by politically affiliated entities?

The media having <30%audience share is owned(controlled) by a specific politicalparty, politician or politicalgrouping, or by an owner withspecific political affiliation.

The media having <50% - >30%audience share is owned(controlled) by a specific politicalparty, politician or politicalgrouping, or by an owner withspecific political affiliation.

The media having >50%audience share is owned(controlled) by a specific politicalparty, politician or politicalgrouping, or by an owner withspecific political affiliation.

What is the share of Newspapers owned by politically affiliated entities?

The media having <30%audience share is owned(controlled) by a specific politicalparty, politician or politicalgrouping, or by an owner withspecific political affiliation.

The media having <50% - >30%audience share is owned(controlled) by a specific politicalparty, politician or politicalgrouping, or by an owner withspecific political affiliation.

The media having >50%audience share is owned(controlled) by a specific politicalparty, politician or politicalgrouping, or by an owner withspecific political affiliation.

Political control over media distribution networksThe overall level of (political) control over media outlets and distribution networks was assessed as a low tomedium risk for pluralism. A leading distribution network is defined as a network covering more than 15% ofthe national market.Result: Low to Medium riskWhy?The distribution network for print publications consists of a number of independent newspaper agencies (andsub agencies) located throughout the country that have been functioning for several years. These agencies arenot exclusive to specific newspaper publications, instead they are shared among several, and often unrelated,newspaper companies, and work on a commission or subscription basis.Radio networks distribution rely on the frequencies that are allocated by the Telecommunications RegulatoryAuthority (TRA) which is an independent public institution.TV networks distribution rely on the frequencies that are allocated by the Council of Ministers. But given thatthe vast majority of households receive TV through legal or clandestine cable subscription, some cases ofpolitical discrimination have been reported. Al Jadeed was banned in the southern suburb of Beirut, a regionbroadly loyal to Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, after the TV channel mocked Parliament Speaker NabihBerri in a comedy program called “Doma Karasi”. Cases of TV stations being cut off in some regions because of



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political disagreements are not rare.Internet Service Providers are the distribution networks behind the internet. Most of the internet distribution iscontrolled by the State through its contractor Ogero, which has by the most conservative estimates, over 60%of the market for Internet service provision. Private operators are allowed to compete with Ogero and onediscriminatory action was recorded in Arsal where residents did not have access to the Internet for securityreasons.

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

How would you assess the conduct of the leading distribution networks for print media?

Leading distributionnetworks are not politicallyaffiliated or do not takediscriminatory actions.

At least one of the leadingdistribution networks is politicallyaffiliated or takes occasionaldiscriminatory actions.

All of the leading distributionnetworks are politically affiliatedand has a record of repeateddiscriminatory actions.

How would you assess the conduct of the leading radio distribution networks?

Leading distributionnetworks are not politicallyaffiliated or do not takediscriminatory actions.



How would you assess the conduct of the leading television distribution networks?

Leading distribution, are notpolitically affiliated or do nottake discriminatory actions.



How would you assess the conduct of the leading internet distribution networks?

Leading distribution, are notpolitically affiliated or do nottake discriminatory actions.



(Political) Control Over Media Funding



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There is no culture and practice of State advertising in Lebanon, hence no specific rule of distributionof state advertising. Government institutions have their public service announcements aired for free onall private and public TV stations. Official announcements of legal and regulatory matters are alsopublished in all newspapers, without discrimination. Meanwhile, state-owned institutions (Middle EastAirlines, Casino du Liban, Ogero, the National Lottery...) have their advertisements aired for a fee, butgo through the advertising agencies similarly to any private-sector enterprise that wants to advertise inthe media.Although the MOM team wasn’t able to reach any data on the share of State advertising in themarket, the risk of control of the state over media funding should be assessed as low. The MOMteam, however, assessed the political control over media funding as a high risk for media pluralism.Why?

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

Is the state advertising distributed to media proportionately to their audience share? No Data

State advertising isdistributed to the mediarelatively proportionately tothe audience shares ofmedia.

State advertising is distributeddisproportionately (in terms ofaudience share) to the media.

State advertising is distributedexclusively to few media outlets,which do not cover al major mediaoutlets in the country.

How would you assess the rules of distribution of state advertising?

There are no rules or guidelines to ensure that State advertising is fairly distributed based oncirculation figures, nor are there any mechanisms in place to monitor the distribution of Stateadvertising.Political funding of media outlets is rather linked to the political affiliations of their owners. Theirfunding shift as their allegiance change. Almost the totality of the covered media outlets ispolitically affiliated.Lebanese media have been receiving funding from foreign investors, who pursue their interest inthe country’s politics – especially in the print sector – putting them at risk and even shutting themdown when foreign powers don’t fund them anymore. Open calls have been made to requestforeign funding.

This indicator assesses the influence of the state on the functioning of themedia market, focusing particularly on the risk of discrimination in thedistribution of state advertisements. The discrimination can be reflected infavouritism towards political parties or affiliates of political parties in thegovernment, or in penalisation of media criticising the government. Stateadvertising should be understood as any advertising paid by governments(national, regional, local) and state-owned institutions and companies.

Result: Low to High



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LOW MEDIUM HIGH

State advertising isdistributed to media outletsbased on transparent rules.

State advertising is distributed tomedia outlets based on a set ofrules but it is unclear whetherthey are transparent.

There are no rules regardingdistribution of state advertising tomedia outlets or these.

IMPORTANCE OF STATE ADVERTISING

What is the share of state advertising as part of the overall TV / Radio / Print/ online advertising market?VALUE: No Data

Share of state advertising is<5% of the overall market.

Share of state advertising is5%-10% of the overall market.

Share of state advertising is > 10%of the overall market.

Why?Although the scoring indicates a high risk for net neutrality, it mainly reflects the fact that the concept of netneutrality is not defined in the Lebanese law, and as such is not addressed at all. There is no policy or billpending on the issue in order to protect it. In the absence of a formal law or any other form of regulationexplicitly protecting net neutrality, we focus on examining how net neutrality principles are addressed. The riskis therefore assessed as medium for the following reasons:While net neutrality is not protected, the Telecommunications Law of 2002 deals with telecommunicationservice distribution and Internet Service Providers’ (ISP) licensing procedures:

Regulatory Safeguards: Net Neutrality

Article 19 (1) provides that licenses for basic telecom, international and mobile services are granted bydecree issued by the Council of Ministers, upon recommendation of the Minister of Telecommunications,after an international public auction organized by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).Article 26 requires public telecom services to comply with universal service obligations that ensure a

Protecting net neutrality is essential to safeguarding media diversity becauseit guarantees equal ability to access and disseminate information, opinions,perspectives, etc. online, which is essential to media diversity in general in aconnected society. As the accurate measure of media diversity is based onmedia consumer behavior (i.e., the total content consumers usually choose),and as more people are getting their news online where most news is nowreported, online media is a significant indicator and supplier of mediadiversity overall. Thus, it is important that this platform not be hindered.This indicator aims capture the landscape of legal regulation of net neutralityas well as the specific regulatory mechanisms that address net neutrality.

Result: Low to Medium



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However, the TRA has been suspended in 2015 by then-Minister of Telecommunications Boutros Harbfollowing a 2011 decision from the State Shura Council, the country’s highest administrative court. As such, theMinistry of Telecommunications controls and manages the Internet services directly by licensing ISPs, grantingthem access to Internet capacity, and by acting as an ISP through Ogero in parallel to the private sector. As themain operator of the fixed telecommunications network in Lebanon, Ogero has to follow some internationalstandards and should therefore apply net neutrality as voted by the FCC.In terms of blocking content, the Lebanese legislation is very loose in this field. While there is no prohibition ofblocking access to online content as a principle, blocking access to a website requires a motivated judiciarydecision, after request from official authorities and security agencies to the Ministry of Telecommunications.Only online gambling sites are blocked in Lebanon in order to preserve the monopoly granted to the NationalLottery (La Libanaise des Jeux) and to Casino du Liban.For more information, read MOM Lebanon Legal Assessment.Regulatory Safeguard Score:1.5 out of 11 - High Risk (13.6%).


Does national (media,company, tax...) law containtransparency and disclosureprovisions obliging mediacompanies to publish theirownership structures on theirwebsite or in records/documents that are accessibleto the public?

This question aims to determine whethernet neutrality is regulated by domestic lawin any way; it also aims to reflect anyagreement between countries, as in the EUand countries that are part of the Council ofEurope.

0

Does national law containnorms that prohibit theblocking of websites orcontent online?

This question determines the degree towhich a country’s net neutrality normsprevent blocking, one of the keycomponents of a robust net neutralityframework

1

Does national law containnorms that prohibit throttlingof services or content providedonline?

This question determines the degree towhich a country’s net neutrality normsprevent throttling, one of the keycomponents of a robust net neutralityframework

0.5

minimum level of comprehensive geographic coverage in the provision of telecommunication services.Article 25 guarantees certain minimum standards of quality, including call completion rates and dial tonedelays.



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Does national law containnorms that prohibit zero-rating and/or paidprioritiszation?

This question determines the degree towhich a country’s net neutrality normsprevent zero-rating (of which paidprioritiszation is a common form), one ofthe key components of a robust netneutrality framework

0

Where net neutrality isprotected by law, does thelegal framework recognize anyexceptions, e.g. for reasonablenetwork management?

This question establishes when reasonablelimits are placed on net neutralityprotections versus other limits that mayundermine its effectiveness.

X

Norms that prohibit or limitzero-rating are successfullyimplemented: Paidprioritisation does not takeplace.

This question aims to flesh out the extentto which paid prioritisation occurs inpractice despite its prohibition in law; anumber of countries with ostensibly strongzero-rating protections experience thisphenomenon. This indicator may shed lighton the degree of difference between thelaw and practices on the ground

X

Norms that prohibit or limitzero-rating are successfullyimplemented: No other formsof zero-rating take place.

Same as above 0

Norms are successfullyimplemented: Blocking and/orthrottling do not take place.

This question seeks to determine how thelegal framework in place to protect netneutrality operates in practice with respectto blocking and throttling

0

Are there regulatory or otherentities charged withmonitoring and enforcing netneutrality protections?

This question highlights whether there areauthorities charged with enforcing netneutrality protections

X

Have sanctions been imposedfor violations of net neutralityprotections where these exist?

This question may illustrate the extent towhich violations of net neutrality norms aretaken seriously as a matter of rule of law

X



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and political will

Are the enforcementmechanisms in place toidentify and respond to netneutrality violations viewed aseffective?

This question shows the extent to which netneutrality norms actually achieve theirgoals

X

Total (Mean of L-e und L-I sub-indicators)

4 out of 11

What is zero-rating and why is it problematic?Zero-rating means the pricing policy in which Internet service providers (ISPs) supply a range of content to(particularly mobile) Internet consumers without charging for the data used - or counting it against the plan’scap.Why is zero-rating rating problematic? Free access to your favorite services seems like a dream, especially whendata packages are relatively expensive. However, zero rating may provide an unfair advantage as it channelsusers to the content and services that are zero-rated at the expense of alternatives which are not zero-rated.This distorts competition and complicates business for potential new market entrants. From the perspective ofpublic discourse, zero rating might narrow the experience of the Internet, as there are little incentives for usersto venture beyond those services that are provided for free – who might then experience the Internet as a“walled garden”. Lastly, zero-rating helps transform the Internet from a permission-less environment – in whichall kind of developers create innovation based on the premise that the Internet treats individual and start-upsjust like major companies - into one in which developers effectively need to cooperate with ISPs beforedeploying their new technologies. ISPs turn into gate-keepers. These are some aspects brought forward by theElectronic Frontier Foundation.What is throttling and why is it problematic?Throttling is a variant of zero-rating. It occurs when a content provider pays the data charge that wouldotherwise be incurred by the end-user (sponsored data). Also, consumers don’t voluntarily accept a lowerservice quality for some content (throttling) in exchange for data not being counted.



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Media and TransparencyAfter nearly a decade of preparation, Lebanon’s Parliament ratified a Right to Information Law in January2017. This law obliges all government entities to “publish key documents showing indicators of each office’sperformance, such as an annual report, orders and decisions, and office expenditures.” The law also outlines aprocess whereby “specific information can be requested from the government” Although the law was generallyviewed as a positive step towards improving transparency and public accountability, civil society stakeholdersstill face challenges in requesting information and in appealing cases where access to information was denied.

Finding the right informationInformation about media company owners and their shares can be found most of the time in the Ministry ofJustice’s Commercial Register on http://cr.justice.gov.lb. The online archive can be searched by the full orpartial name of companies or by their registry number. However, the names of the companies that own mediaoutlets are not always easy to find in the Register. When searching for those companies, several difficulties canbe encountered:

Once the right names and registration details are found, it is yet not possible to confirm the date of thedisplayed document as the online Commercial Register interface is not frequently updated.

The other option is to request hard copies of the registration certificate from the Commercial Register, througha lawyer. While officially the fee per file is reasonable (6,000 LBP or 4 USD), it is customary to pay an additionalamount to speed up the service. And even when the documents are provided, they are not error-proof. Theymay be outdated (the case of Télé Liban’s document) or contain a factual mistake (for example, the registrationcertificate for Société Générale de Presse et d'Édition SAL, which owns L’Orient-Le Jour, mentions that thecompany’s total number of shares is 175,000,000 whereas the correct number – confirmed by the company’sexecutive director – is 17,500,000).

The Commercial Register search tools, whether online or offline, do not allow for an individual’s name to beentered, making it very difficult to track a person’s stakes in more than one company.

Any change in spacing and punctuation in Arabic prevents finding the right results. User must know inadvance the exact way the name was written.Some companies have their name registered in Latin letters, others only in Arabic, even when they have aforeign name. And conversely, some companies with Arabic names can only be found through typing theirname in French or English.Adding a “hamza” (ء) on the Arabic vowel “alef” (ا) would change the results. For example اذاعة and إذاعة wouldnot lead to the same result.It is difficult to guess the Arabic transliteration of some English or French names. For example, the wordHolding is sometimes written and sometimes written ,هولدينغ .leading in each case to different results ,هولدنغ



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company//societe-generale-de-presse-et-dedition-sal/




Almost zero response rate to requestsAs for the reply to questionnaires sent by email to media companies and outlets, it was particularly low. Onlyeight out of 37 media outlets replied: one TV station (Al-Manar), three radio stations (Al-Nour, Voix duLiban 93.3, and Voix du Liban 100.3), and three news websites (Alkalima Online, Lebanon Debate, and YaSour). Representatives of L’Orient-Le Jour first provided some information orally then filled in thequestionnaire, and representatives of Lebanese-Forces.com contacted the research team and provided someinformation orally. Out of the eight responses received, only one – Alkalima Online – provided some financialdata.

The MOM team did not make any official request using the 2017 Right to Information Law because of theabsence of formal procedures to do so, but also because the information would be provided by theCommercial Register, which already offers an interface to access information.

Ownership TransparencyLebanese corporations are required to register their minutes of meetings with the CommercialRegister. This is mandatory regarding the approval of annual accounts or the raise or decrease of capital.Therefore, whenever a media outlet is owned by a corporation, its corporate file is made public via theCommercial Register. Companies that do not register their minutes are fined for each month and/or year ofdelay by the Ministry of Finance and the Commercial Register, operating under the Ministry of Justice. However,when it comes to transfer of shares, i.e. to associate a new member, registration is not immediately required.



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Accordingly, changes regarding the partners and shareholders may remain hidden. When there is a change inthe management of the company (director, board of directors, chairman), companies are not fined ifregistration is missing. However, they shall not be able to move on with any other procedure requiringregistration before they get the minutes of the meeting related to the change in the management registered.

Financial TransparencyAudiovisual Media Law No. 382 of 1994 requires broadcast corporations (TV and radio), to submit their financialaccounts every six months to the Ministry of Information. These accounts include only the amounts orrevenues arising from the corporation’s activity. However, no financial data about any media outlet has beenmade available in the course of the study – neither about the sources of funding, nor the turnover.

Al-Akhbar, Al-Joumhouria, Sawt El-Mada, and LBCI are owned by individuals and companies; the latterare mostly owned by the same individuals who have direct shares in the aforementioned media outlets.At Al-Mustaqbal and Al-Jadeed, some shareholders are in fact staff of other companies owned by the maintwo families owning the media outlets, respectively the Hariri and the Khayat dynasties.Shareholders of Al-Binaa newspaper, RLL, Voix du Liban 100.3, Al-Nour Radio, and Al-Manar are highofficials of the respective parties owning the media outlets: the Syrian Social Nationalist Party,the Lebanese Forces, the Phalange Party, and Hezbollah. In fact, shareholders in these cases act asproxies on behalf of the party they belong to.NBN, OTV, and Sawt El-Mada are also owned by party members and supporters, but in these cases, theydo not act on behalf of the party. Shareholders are either business associates of the party leaders orwealthy party members that use their resources to support the communication of the political groups theybelong to, respectively Amal Movement and the Free Patriotic Movement.The Hariri family is involved in several media outlets through different schemes. They directly own sharesin Future TV and Al-Mustaqbal newspaper. More indirectly, their involvement in Annahar and RadioOrient goes through companies they own, respectively Al-Mal Investment Co and Wave Holding. The caseof their involvement in The Daily Star is even more peculiar. The newspaper officially belongs to D.S.Holding, which is owned by Middle Holding, a subsidiary of Millennium Development SAL, which isowned by Millennium Development International, registered in the Cayman Islands, which prevented usfrom detailing its ownership structure. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that Millennium Development SALwas founded by Millennium Development Holding SAL, a company owned by the Hariri family.While the name of shareholders of MTV is available, the percentage of each one of the five shareholders isnot. The same applies to the shareholders of the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese Communication GroupL.C.G SAL.OTV also has a special ownership structure. It broadcasts based on a license provided to Alubnaniya lilI’lam, which is owned by President Michel Aoun’s family and leading Free Patriotic Movement members.However, the finance and advertising are controlled by OTV Holding, a company that is partly publiclytraded, with the rest of the shares also belonging to President Aoun’s family and leading FPM members. Thelist of shareholders for the publicly traded part was not made available.A number of websites are not registered as separate legal entities. They are operated directly by the parties,individuals, or associations that have created them. It is the case of Tayyar.org (Free PatrioticMovement), Lebanese-Forces.com, Lebanon Debate (Michel Kanbour), and Ya Sour (Ya Sour Media andSocial Group).



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company//alubnaniah-lil-ilam-sal/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company//alubnaniah-lil-ilam-sal/








Numerous studies have underlined the difficult financial situation of Lebanese media outlets, reflected by thenumber of outlets that have recently been closed or had dismissed staff. In the last five years, the followingmedia outlets were shut down: Al-Bayrak, Assafir, Al-Balad, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Anwar newspapers, MondayMorning, La Revue du Liban, and Assayad magazines, among many others.

At the same time it is worth mentioning that several outlets are associated with larger holdings that areotherwise expanding or that belong to sectors that have not faced the same crisis, suggesting some form ofcross-subsidization inside a conglomerate from more profitable areas of business to ailing media companies.

The lack of transparency of political party financing also reflects on the media sector, making itimpossible to assert the sources of funding of party-owned outlets, with the exception of Al-Manar and Al-Nour. Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah confirmed in a public statement on June 24, 2016, that“We do not have any business projects or investments via banks… We are open about the fact that Hezbollah’sbudget, its income, its expenses, everything it eats and drinks, its weapons and rockets, come from the IslamicRepublic of Iran.” Yet, even in this case where the source of funding may be clearer, the exact numbers remainhidden.



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https://english.alarabiya.net/en/2016/06/25/In-first-Hezbollah-s-Nasrallah-confirms-all-financial-support-comes-from-Iran.html)







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Media in the Political MazeLebanon is currently ranked 100 of 180 countries in Reporters without Border’s World Press FreedomIndex. Political control over media ownership is a major concern, and contributes towards a much politicizedand polarized media landscape, undermining impartiality and pluralism. Our findings discuss the issue ofpolitical affiliations of the media, and ask how such affiliations may translate into biased and one-sidedinformation within the Lebanese media, but also shift their finances. It examines the general risks associatedwith political affiliations, analyses the operating legal framework, and illustrates the current picture in terms ofthe political affiliations of the media.

Is there a risk?

Media ownership has a significant bearing on media content, and thus, plays a crucial role in shaping publicopinion. In the hands of politicians, the media could be used to serve their own interests through partialreporting, boosting their political mileage, and ridiculing rivals. Privately-owned media houses are no exceptionto this pattern, as they may be just as politically affiliated as state-run outlets, serving the vested interests oftheir owners and allies.

The views of owners almost invariably dictate the editorial line of the covered media outlets when they aredirectly affiliated to political forces or families. There are nonetheless exceptions to this. As an example, in2015, Salah Salam, the owner of the daily Al-Liwaa, did not receive Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s endorsementfor the presidency of the Lebanese Press Order, and led a rival list to Saad Hariri’s during the 2018Parliamentary elections in Beirut. This has not deterred his newspaper to keep supporting the Hariri-led, anti-Syrian regime, March 14 alliance. L’Orient-Le Jour can also be considered as an exception as its pro-March 14editorial line contrasts with the views of its main owner, former Minister Michel Eddé, who maintained amoderately open stance towards the Syrian regime.

For other media outlets, the editorial line might be affected by two elements:

The general balance of power in the country: After 1994, when the Lebanese Forces (LF) party was bannedby the pro-Syrian regime government, several pro-Syrian figures became shareholders of LBCI, the channelonce established by the LF. This development provided political cover to the channel at times when politicallife in Lebanon was controlled by the Syrian regime’s security apparatus. More recently, when the LebaneseForces agreed to support Free Patriotic Movement leader General Michel Aoun in his presidential bid in2016, MTV became one of the main supporters of the rapprochement between the two historically feudingpolitical parties.The real source of funding: Lebanon has a history of political funding to media outlets. Lorenzo Trombetta,in his 2016 report on the Lebanese Media Landscape, writes: “In the 1970s, Lebanon offered a uniquecultural openness and freedom of expression. Beirut was the region’s media hub and the target ofimportant funding for its publications. Investors included Iraq’s former president Saddam Hussein, Libyanleader Muammar Gaddafi, deposed Tunisian president Ben Ali, as well as Saudi royals. (…) Gulf countries,but also Iraq and Libya, used to finance Lebanese newsrooms to carry out and support their political battles.



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https://rsf.org/en/sri-lanka

https://rsf.org/en/sri-lanka

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/salam-family/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/al-liwaa/


http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/media/detail/outlet/lorient-le-jour/

http://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/individual-owners/detail/owner/owner/show/edde-family/








In fact, funders of media outlets and nominal shareholders are not necessarily the same. If Charles Ayoub’splea to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad is an example, suspicions of partial or total foreign funding of othermedia outlets are widely echoed among pundits. But, with the absence of hard evidence, the research teamwould rather quote the infamous “You might very well think that; I couldn't possibly comment.”

What are political affiliations and why is it relevant?

Political affiliations in ownership can manifest in several, more or less tight forms ranging from

The Media Ownership Monitor (MOM) team applied categories (a), (b), and (c) to the 37 outlets studied. Thefindings are listed under each respective media sector.

What’s the current situation?

Print – Nine out of ten of the covered print outlets are directly politically affiliated. Six are owned or co-owned by currently active politicians (category a), two are owned by former parliamentary candidates (b), andone is directly owned by a political party (c).

Radio – Seven out of the eight radio stations are directly politically affiliated. Three radio stations belong topolitical parties (c), and four belong to the state or currently active politicians (a).

Television – All nine TV stations covered are directly politically affiliated. Six TV stations are owned or co-owned by the state or currently active politicians (a). Two TV stations are owned or co-owned by former politicalfigures (b), and one belongs to a political party (c).

Online – Four out of ten of the covered websites are politically affiliated. One belongs to an active politician(a), one to a parliamentary candidate (b), and two are directly owned by political parties (c).

What does the law say?

Currently, there are no legal provisions preventing Members of Parliament and government ministers or theirfamily members from holdings shares in media organizations. Owners are also not obliged to declare theirpolitical affiliations or any conflict of interests on the forms submitted to the Commercial Register. In theabsence of such legislation, political ownership of the media appears to be a technically ‘legal’ pattern withinLebanon’s media landscape.

As a result, the injection of foreign funding was abundant and steady. Nowadays, with the global economiccrisis and the new channels of the Gulf, that money has been inexorably vanishing.”

(a) direct ownership of media organizations by the state and current Members of Parliament or peopleholding a position within the government;(b) direct ownership of media organizations by former Members of Parliament, candidates for Parliament,or people formerly holding a position within the government;(c) direct ownership of media organizations through political parties.



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/political-affiliations/#c16544

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/findings/political-affiliations/#c16544



Read more on (political) control of media outlets and distribution networks

(a) Direct ownership of media organizations by the state and currentMembers of Parliament or the executive

Radio Liban and Télé Liban belong to the Lebanese State.Radio Orient’s main owner is Member of Parliament (since 1992) and former Minister of Education(2008-2009) Bahia Hariri, and is closely linked to the Prime Minister Saad Hariri.Sawt El-Mada’s main owner is Member of Parliament (since 2018) and former Minister of Education(2014-2016) Elias Bou Saab, and its CEO is Minister of State for Presidential Affairs (since 2016) PierreRaffoul.L’Orient-Le Jour newspaper’s main shareholders include Minister of State for Planning Michel Pharaon, aswell as former Minister Michel Eddé.The Daily Star newspaper’s main owner is closely linked to incumbent Prime Minister Saad Hariri.Annahar newspaper's shareholders include current Minister of Education Marwan Hamadé, current PrimeMinister Saad Hariri, additionally its CEO and Editor-in-Chief is former MP Nayla Tuéni.Al Mustaqbal newspaper’s main shareholders are current Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his relatives.Al Akhbar newspaper has current MP Moustapha El Husseini as minority shareholder.Al Joumhouria newspaper’s owners include current MP Michel Elias Murr, current head of the MetnFederation of Municipalities Myrna Murr, and former Deputy Prime Minister Elias Murr.Future TV’s main shareholders include current Prime Minister Saad Hariri, current Minister of Interior andMunicipalities Nohad Machnouk, MP Bahia Hariri, former MP Salim Diab, and several former ministers.OTV’s main owners are President of the Republic Michel Aoun and his family, including Minister of ForeignAffairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil.NBN’s main owners are relatives of Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and officials of the party he leads.LBCI’s shareholders include MP and former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, former Deputy PrimeMinister Issam Fares, the family of late MP Nabil Boustani, as well as former Minister BassamYammine, allied to the Marada Movement.Télé Lumière and Noursat’s shareholders include MP Neemat Frem, former MP Naamatallah AbiNasr, and former Minister Jean-Louis Cordahi.Lebanon24 website is owned by MP and former Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his family.

(b) Direct ownership of media organizations by former Members ofParliament or the executive and former candidates for Parliament



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MTV's founder Gabriel Murr ran for parliament in 2002.Two of Al Jadeed’s main shareholders, Nizar Younes and Abdallah Zakhem, ran for Parliamentrespectively in 2000 and 2018.Addiyar newspaper’s main shareholder Charles Ayoub ran for parliament in 1972 and 2009, the minorshareholder Leila Solh (aunt of Saudi Prince Waleed Bin Talal) is a former Minister of Industry (2004-2005).Al Liwaa newspaper's owner Salah Salam ran for Parliament in 2018.Janoubia website’s owner Ali Al-Amine ran for Parliament in 2018.

(c) Direct ownership of media organizations through political partiesAl Binaa newspaper belongs to the Syrian Social Nationalist Party through three formal co-ownerswho sit on the party’s top leadership.Radio Liban Libre and Lebanese-Forces.com belong to the Lebanese ForcesVoix du Liban 100.3 belongs to the Phalange PartyAl Nour radio and Al Manar TV belong to the HezbollahSawt El-Shaab radio belongs to the Lebanese Communist PartyTayyar.org belongs to the Free Patriotic Movement



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Baker, E. (2006). Media Concentration and Democracy: Why Ownership Matters. Accessed on 21November 2018

Sources



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https://books.google.lk/books?isbn=1139461036



A Family BusinessMany political dynasties have been playing leading roles in Lebanese politics since the independence of thecountry, including – but not limited to – the Gemayel, Jumblatt, Arslan, Chamoun, Karami, Frangieh, and Salamfamilies. Other dynasties have emerged later, during or right after the civil war, and have also been passing onseats from a generation to another, most notably the Aoun and Hariri families.

According to a study published in 2012, “in Lebanon, family businesses constitute 85% of the private sector,accounting for 1.05 million of 1.24 million jobs.” In an overall unstable environment, historically marred byviolence, family business plays an “important stabilizing role in social and economic value creation and trans-generational wealth perpetuation processes.” In fact, when Lebanese entrepreneurs were asked about the mainreasons for entrepreneurship, the top answer was to “provide security and to generate the income necessary tocreate and protect a strong family life.”

The media sector is no exception to this situation. 43% of the media outlets covered by the MOM count atleast a member of the following 12 families in their ownership or board – or both (Tuéni, Hariri, Aoun,Mikati, Fares, Murr, Salam, Khayat, Daher-Saad, Khazen, Eddé and Pharaon – see below). More than a thirdis also directly owned by one of them.

In the print sector, it is the case of Annahar (Tuéni family), L’Orient-Le Jour (Eddé and Pharaon families), Al-Liwaa (Salam family), The Daily Star (originally owned and managed by the Mrowa family before selling it to theHariris), Al-Mustaqbal (Hariri family), and Al-Joumhouria (Murr family). In the TV sector, it is the case of MTV(Murr family), Al-Jadeed (Khayat family), Future TV (Hariri family), and to a certain extent LBCI (Daher-Saadfamily). The same applies to the radio sector with VDL 93.3 FM (Khazen family) and Radio Orient (Haririfamily).

Lebanon’s Media Dynasties

We can divide Lebanese families in the media in three categories:

1. Some families have been active in the media sector for decades and entered politics after building astrong name for themselves in the media first. It is the case of the Tuéni family, which was represented inthe Parliament by the founder of Annahar Gebran Sr., Ghassan, Gebran, and Nayla, and was alsorepresented in the executive branch by Ghassan Tuéni, and more recently, by the incumbent Minister ofState for Fighting Corruption Nicolas Tuéni. It is also to a certain extent the case of Salah Salam, who ran forparliament for the first time in 2018 after decades of practicing journalism.

2. Other families have begun their public life in politics and later on invested in the media sector as ameans to exert more influence and seek more popular support. It is the case of the Hariri, Aoun, Mikati,Fares, and Murr families.

3. A third group has been running the two lives in parallel, as their political role has always been backed bya presence in the media sector, as is the case for the Eddé and Pharaon families.



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Family Connections, a Reflection of Political Alliances

Researcher Suad Joseph describes the Lebanese political system as one based on “political familism.” Shedefines this phrase as “the deployment of family institutions, ideologies, (…) practices, and relationships by citizensto activate their demands in relation to the state and by state actors to mobilize practical and moral grounds forgovernance based on a civic myth of kinship and public discourse that privileges family.”

The Lebanese elite is a relatively small and closed pond. Inter-marriages within this circle were clearly describedin an Al-Akhbar article by journalist Ghassan Saoud entitled “Politicians and the Wealthy: A Closed MarriageClub.”

The Tuénis

The Tuéni family is an interesting case study: Ghassan Tuéni was married to Nadia Hamadé, sister ofincumbent Minister of Education and MP Marwan Hamadé, a close ally of former MP Walid Jumblatt, leader ofthe Progressive Socialist Party (PSP). Minister Hamadé is a shareholder in Annahar and his brother, Ali Hamadéis one of the newspaper’s columnists. Ali Hamadé is also a political bureau member of the Future Movement,led by Prime Minister Saad Hariri, whose family is today the first shareholder in Annahar.

Ghassan and Nadia’s son, Gebran Tuéni, first married Myrna, daughter of MP and former Deputy PrimeMinister Michel Elias Murr. She is the sister of former Deputy Prime Minister Elias Murr. The Michel Elias Murrfamily owns Al-Joumhouria. Gebran Tuéni and Myrna Murr had two daughters, Nayla, who was a Member ofParliament from 2009 to 2018 and currently serves as CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Annahar, and Michèle, whounsuccessfully ran for Parliament in 2018 and is today a journalist at Annahar after having published her firstarticles and columns in Al-Joumhouria.

The Murrs

This leads us to the Murr family. In addition to Myrna Murr’s connection to the Tuéni family, former DeputyPrime Minister Elias Murr was first married to Carine Lahoud, daughter of former President of the RepublicEmile Lahoud (1998-2007). This marriage reflected a very close alliance between the Murr family andPresident Lahoud. During the latter's term, Michel Elias Murr first served as Deputy Prime Minister andInterior Minister (1998-2000), then the son Elias Murr became Interior Minister (2000-2004), then DeputyPrime Minister and Defense Minister (2005-2008). However, the assassination attempt against Elias Murr in July2005 marked the beginning of tensions with then-President Emile Lahoud, which led to the end of the politicalalliance and a subsequent divorce between Elias Murr and Carine Lahoud.

Another division grew within the Murr family between brothers, Michel Elias Murr and Gabriel Murr, afteryears of association. This division was largely political as the former was a key figure in the pro-Syrian-regimeLebanese governments in the 1990s, while the latter had progressively opened the airwaves of his TV station –MTV – and radio station – Radio Mont Liban – to anti-Syrian opposition figures. The division culminated inAugust 2002 when Gabriel Murr narrowly won a by-election in the Metn district against his niece, Myrna Murr(ex-wife of Gebran Tuéni and mother of Nayla Tuéni). At the time, Gebran Tuéni considered himself running asa consensus candidate between his ex-wife on the one hand and Gabriel Murr on the other hand, with whomhe was allied politically. The by-election was managed by the Interior Ministry that, at the time, was led by Elias



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Murr, Myrna’s brother and Gabriel’s nephew. Gabriel’s narrow victory was revoked weeks later by aConstitutional Council decision, claiming that he had violated article 68 of the electoral law that was in vigorthen, by using his TV station as a campaign tool. In parallel, the Publications Court ordered the full shut down ofMTV and Radio Mont Liban, silencing the only media outlets that represented the opposition's viewpoints.

Yet, the Constitutional Council did not confirm Myrna’s victory, given that she had not resigned from herposition as mayor of the Murr family’s hometown. Instead, a third candidate, Ghassan Moukheiber, who atthe time got less than 2% of the votes, was declared the winner. Mr. Moukheiber was later on re-elected in2005 and 2009, and he is the Member of Parliament who tabled the new media draft law, that would – ifadopted – add much needed transparency requirements to the ownership of the media sector.

Less complex relations exist also among the family of former Minister Michel Eddé, one of the mainshareholders in L’Orient-Le Jour, with the family of late MP Pierre Hélou. Mr. Eddé’s daughter Isabelle ismarried to Philippe Pierre Hélou, brother of MP Henri Hélou, who is a member of the Progressive SocialistParty’s parliamentary bloc, led by MP Taymour Jumblatt, son of PSP leader Walid Jumblatt. The other mainshareholder in L’Orient-Le Jour is the Pharaon family: Minister of State for Planning Michel Pharaon and hissister Nayla, who is married to Jean de Freige, brother of former MP Nabil de Freige, a member of SaadHariri’s Future Movement.



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Haines-Young, J. (2018). The future of Lebanon's political dynasties. The National. Accessed on 29November 2018.

Houssari, N. (2018). Lebanon’s political power clans pass their assembly seats to the next generation.Arab News. Accessed on 29 November 2018.

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http://www.arabnews.com/node/1264131/middle-east



Fahed-Sreih, J. & Pistrui, D. (2012). Motives for Entrepreneurship: The Case of Lebanese Family Businesses.InTech Open.

Joseph, S. (2011). Political Familism in Lebanon. The Annals of the American Academy of Political andSocial Science.

Adams, P. (2002). Bitter Family Feud Intertwined in Web of Lebanese Politics. Accessed on 29 November2018.

Tamayyaz. Family Owned Enterprises (FOEs) – the Backbone of Lebanon’s National Economy. Accessed on29 November 2018.



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https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0002716211398434

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/bitter-family-feud-intertwined-in-web-of-lebanese-politics/article4139975/

http://tamayyaz.com/pdf/Corporate-Governance-Article-Final.pdf



Law and PracticeRespecting the law in Lebanon seems to be the exception. From the driving code to the Constitution, theculture of law enforcement has been historically weak and the laws pertaining to the media sector are noexception.

In the course of the research the MOM team found that no less than 43 media owners are politicians whosit or have served in government and in parliament. This makes accountability a myth, as they becomejudge and party at the same time. Some media outlets can even operate outside the scope of the lawaltogether, which is the case of religious media – illustrating the privileges that religious institutions have inLebanon.

Circumventing Ownership Restrictions in the Broadcast Sector

A series of restrictions imposed by Audiovisual Media Law No. 382 of 1994 are circumvented, ignored orclearly violated by the owners of Lebanese audiovisual media outlets.

Article 13 prevents one natural or moral person from holding shares in more than one audiovisual mediaoutlet. No individual owner appears in this situation directly. However, for example, former Deputy PrimeMinister Issam Fares is a shareholder in LBCI and, at the same time, the Director of a Foundation that bearshis name is a shareholder in another television station, NBN.

This article also prevents one natural (individual) or moral person (company or association) from owning morethan 10 percent of a media outlet. Spouses, parents and children under 18 years old are considered thesame person. However, this restriction does not apply to children over 18, nor does it apply to siblings. Thisopened the door for several family-owned companies that formally respect the law but in fact place entirecompanies under the effective control of one person. This is the case with Future TV, MTV, and Al-Jadeed. Insome other cases, media outlets are wholly owned by companies that, in turn, are owned by only one personand their direct relatives (Radio Orient and Sawt El-Mada for instance).

Additionally, there is no clarity as for the establishment of subsidiary media outlets. For example, are LBCI,LDC, LBCI 2 considered three separate outlets owned by the same company, the Lebanese BroadcastingCorporation International SAL? When Future TV SAL was also operating the separate Zein TV and Future Newschannels, was it respecting the restrictions imposed by the law?

Sectarian Affiliations v. Pluralism

The requirement that shareholders belong to different sects is not explicitly mentioned in the law; nor is itincluded in the terms of reference for licensing put together by the National Media Council (NMC). However,in practice, the diversity requirement was a major element taken into account by the NMC to recommendgranting a broadcast license or not. As such, the co-owners of each media outlet must belong to different sects.This condition was inspired by Article 7.3 of the Audiovisual Media Law, which calls media outlets to respect



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“the diversity of beliefs and opinions.”

As such, the NMC recommended banning Al-Manar from obtaining a license, based on the fact that mostshareholders belonged to the Shia sect; yet, the Council of Ministers granted it a license. However, for othermedia outlets, the NMC did not take this condition into account. For example, while the majority ofshareholders in LBCI, MTV and NBN belong to the same sect, respectively Maronite, Greek Orthodox, andShia, this did not prevent both the NMC and the Council of Ministers from granting them licenses. Today, in themajority of cases, the shareholders of each audiovisual media outlet belong to the same sect: respectivelyGreek Orthodox in MTV and Sawt El-Mada; Maronite in OTV, RLL, and VDL 100.3; Shia in NBN, Al-Manar,and Al-Nour; and Sunni in Future TV and Radio Orient.

Inactive yet Still Valid Print Licenses

According to Article 29 of the Press Law of 1962, the Minister of Information must withdraw the license of apolitical periodical if no issues are published in the first six months after being granted the license, or ifpublication is suspended later on for more than three months in a row. Yet, in reality, more than 60 politicalpublications still have licenses although they have stopped printing and publishing for years. A few havemigrated online. No action has been taken to withdraw the licenses. Some newspapers have emerged based onlicenses that remained dormant for decades, as is the case for Al-Akhbar and Al-Mustabqal, and the nowsuspended Sada Al-Balad and Al-Ittihad.

List of licensed political periodicals that have suspended publication yetmaintain their license

French language: L'Action, L’Appel, Le Matin, Le Monde, Le Réveil, La Revue du Liban.Arabic language: Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahad, Al-Ahrar, Al-Adab, Al-Adib, Al-Aman, Al-Intiqad, Al-Insha’, Al-Anwar, IlaAl-Amam, Al-Bilad, Al-Bilagh, Al-Bayan, Al-Bayraq, Beirut, Beirut Al-Massa’, Telegraph Beirut, Al-Thabat, Al-Thaqafa Al-Watania, Al-Jadeed, Al-Jareeda, Al-Joumhour Al-Jadeed, Al-Jihad, Al-Hadith, Al-Hadith Al-Mussawar, Al-Haraka, Al-Hayat Al-Dualia, Al-Horriya, Al-Hawadeth, Al-Hiwar, Al-Khawater, Al-Dustour, Al-Dunia, Al-Raed, Al-Rabita Al-Sharqiya, Al-Rassed, Al-Raya, Al-Raqeeb, Raqeeb Al-Ahwal, Zahlé Al-Fatat, Al-Zaman, Assafir, Al-Siyasa, Al-Shaab, Al-Shaala, Al-Shams, Sabah El-Kheir, Sada Al-Balad, Sada Al-Janoub, SadaAl-Shamal, Sada Lubnan, Al-Safaa’, Sawt Al-Ourouba, Sawt Al-Fayha’, Assayad, Al-Tayyar, Al-Assifa, Al-Arfan,Al-Assr, Al-Aamal, Al-Awassef, Al-Qalam Al-Sarih, Kull Shay’, Al-Kawkab, Lissan Al-Hal, Massis, Al-Majales Al-Mussawara, Al-Muharrer, Nida’ Al-Watan, Al-Nahda, Al-Hadaf, Al-Huda, Al-Wadi, Al-Waqt, and Al-Yawm.

The website of the Lebanese Press Order lists the licensed publications and provides phone numbers andemail addresses for each one. However, it does not mention the owners of the licenses. According to a studyconducted by Maharat Foundation in 2014, many of the phone numbers listed on the website are no longerfunctional or have changed owners. In addition, respondents have refused to give any detail about publicationsthat they are supposed to represent.



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https://www.pressorderlebanon.com/



In 2010, journalist Ali Halawi conducted research about the owners of these licenses. He found out that thetrend of political ownership observed in the media sector applies to the ownership of licenses.

For instance the Hariri family owns the licenses for six periodicals: Al-Mustaqbal (still publishing), as well as the“dormant” Al-Hayat Al-Dualia, Al-Siyasa, and Sawt Al-Ourouba dailies and Al-Hadith and Le Matin weeklymagazines.

Hezbollah also owns two newspaper licenses through two companies under its control: Al-Intiqad (licenseowned by Al-Duha for Press and Media SARL) and Al-Bilad (license owned by the Islamic Unity PublishingHouse).

Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri detains the license of Al-Zaman newspaper through a company namedAmal for Press, Media, Publishing and Advertising he co-founded alongside Amal Movement MP AyoubHmayed. He also owns Al-Awassef weekly magazine.

Mohsen Ibrahim, founder of the Communist Action Organization in Lebanon owns the license for thesuspended Beirut daily, and the Baath Party (affiliated to Bashar Al-Assad’s leadership in Damascus) owns thelicenses for Al-Raya daily, while the branch of the party affiliated to the Iraqi Baath (formerly led by SaddamHussein) owns the license for Al-Ahrar newspaper.

In addition to his direct participation in LBCI, former Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares owns the licenses forRaqeeb Al-Ahwal newspaper and Al-Joumhour Al-Jadeed magazine, while former Prime Minister Najib Mikati(owner of Lebanon24.com and shareholder in LBCI) owns the license of Nida’ Al-Watan daily.

MP Faisal Karami (son of late Prime Minister Omar Karami) detains the license of Al-Raqeeb, and former MPSleiman Frangieh, the leader of the Marada Movement, owns the license of Sada Al-Shamal.

The Lebanese Forces, in addition to their direct ownership of RLL and Lebanese-Forces.com, publish Al-Massira magazine (based on their ownership of the license of Al-Najwa) as well as the suspended license forTelegraph Beirut newspaper. The Phalange Party owns the license for Al-Aamal and Le Réveil.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Michel Elias Murr, in addition to Al-Joumhouria, owns the licenses of L’Appeland Al-Haraka newspapers. Former Future Movement MP Bassem Sabaa, advisor to Prime Minister SaadHariri, owns the license of Al-Huda daily.

MP Fouad Makhzoumi owns the license of Al-Hiwar newspaper, which he opened a few months before hisfirst parliamentary bid in 2000, then closed it days after his defeat. He then migrated the publication online andre-activated it after his success in the 2018 election.

MP Abdelrahim Mrad owns the license of Al-Qalam Al-Sareeh, and the president of the Peace Party RogerEddé now owns the license of Lissan Al-Hal. The heirs of former Parliament Speaker Kamel Al-Assaad stilldetain the license of Al-Rabita Al-Sharqiya.

This glimpse into political ownership of print publications’ licenses provides yet another evidence that law



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enforcement stops at the doorstep of powerful politicians who have been clearly violating the law by notpublishing their periodicals. Yet they have been fighting tooth and nails to maintain this system of exclusivelicenses also in the draft media law currently debated in Parliament.

The Gray Zone of Religious Media

According to a study by Maharat Foundation on religious media in Lebanon, “audiovisual religious media haveremained outside the general regulatory framework” of Law No. 382 of 1994. The 1994 Audiovisual Media LawNo. 382 did not address the issue of religious media, although Télé Lumière had been broadcasting since1991, alongside a number of religious radio stations, a trend started by Charity Radio in 1984. Instead,Ministerial Decision No. 214 was issued on January 15, 1996 by then Information Minister Farid Makari. Itgranted official religious authorities in Lebanon, i.e. the Assembly of the Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops ofLebanon, the Sunni Dar Al-Fatwa, and the Supreme Shia Council, licenses to broadcast religious programs, onthe condition that the religious radio stations open and end daily programming with the Lebanese National Anthem.

The decision also allowed religious authorities to broadcast on television by allocating a special channel in TéléLiban for religious programs, “to be divided equally between the Christian and Muslim denominations,” wherethe Christian program in this channel would be supervised by the Assembly of the Catholic Patriarchs andBishops, headed by the Maronite Patriarch, and the Muslim program by Dar Al-Fatwa and the Supreme ShiaCouncil. The channel would have been called Télé Liban – Religious Program. However, this decision wasnever implemented.

Therefore, most religious channels – including Télé Lumière – are not legally licensed, but most are consideredunder the guardianship of established religious institutions and are consequently authorized to operatewithout any of the conditions imposed on the other media outlets in Lebanon. In 2004, Noursat satellitechannel (sister company of the Télé Lumière group) obtained a satellite broadcasting authorization from theMinistry of Telecommunications by virtue of Decision No. 447/1, dated October 11, 2004.

To further confirm the lack of consistency in public decisions regarding the media sector, some other religiousoutlets are licensed as first category (i.e. political) stations. It is the case of Nidaa Al-Maarifa radio, and theJamaa Islamiya-affiliated Al-Fajr Radio. Others, like Al-Bashaer Radio and Sawt Al-Haq, with similar type ofprogramming, are licensed as second category (i. e. …) stations. A third group is operating without any form oflicensing, such as Sancta Maria, Irtiqa’, Al-Salam, and the Voice of Gospel radio stations.

List of licensed political periodicals. Lebanese Press Order. Accessed on November 28,2018

المؤسسة تأسيس كيفية : : الرابع الفصل

التلفزيونية اإلعالمية للمؤسسات النموذجي الشروط دفتر

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http://www.arabruleoflaw.org/Files/PDF/Media/Arabic/P2/MediaLebanonReportP2S2_AR.pdf

http://www.arabruleoflaw.org/Files/PDF/Media/Arabic/P2/MediaLebanonReportP2S2_AR.pdf

https://www.ministryinfo.gov.lb/3227

https://www.ministryinfo.gov.lb/3227

http://www.maharat-news.com/Temp/Attachments/2d7b5554-1a3f-482f-a2e9-a663fa949620.pdf

http://www.maharat-news.com/Temp/Attachments/2d7b5554-1a3f-482f-a2e9-a663fa949620.pdf





About

Methodology

more

Frequently Asked Questions

more

Team

more



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/about/methodology/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/about/faq/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/about/team/



Methodology

Media pluralism is a key aspect of democratic societies as free, independent, and diverse media reflectdivergent viewpoints and allow criticism of people in power.

Generally, you can distinguish internal media pluralism which refers to how social and political diversities arereflected in media content (e.g. representation of different cultural groups, diverse political or ideologicalopinions). External media pluralism, on the other hand, covers the number and structure of owners also knownas the “plurality” of suppliers.

Risks to diversity of ideas are caused by media market concentration – the opposite of media pluralism :

Notwithstanding that media pluralism encompasses many dimensions and faces as many risks, MOM focuseson external pluralism, and more precisely on media ownership concentration as a potential threat to mediapluralism.The biggest obstacle to fight it is lack of transparency of media ownership: How can people evaluate thereliability of information if they don't know who provides it? How can journalists work properly, if they don'tknow who controls the company they work for? And how can authorities address excessive mediaconcentration, if they don't know who is behind the media's steering wheel?MOM thus aims to create transparency and to answer the question “who eventually controls media content?”

Theory: Media Pluralism as Key for Democratic Societies

when only a few players exert dominant influence on public opinion and raise entrance barriers for otherplayers and perspectives (media ownership concentration);when media content is uniform and focused only on specific topics, people, ideas, and opinions (mediacontent concentration); andwhen the audiences only read, watch, and listen to certain media outlets (media audience concentration).

Goal: Creating Media Ownership Transparency

By informing about the owner of the most important media outlets of the different types of media(television, radio, online, and print) and their affiliations;By analyzing the potential influence on the public opinion-forming process based on audienceconcentration; andBy shedding light on the regulation of media ownership and concentration, as well as the implementation ofregulatory safeguards.



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Based on a generic methodology, the “Media Ownership Monitor” (MOM) has been developed as a mappingexercise in order to create a publicly available, continuously updated database that lists owners of all relevantmass media outlets. It creates transparency on who owns the media, which interests and affiliation ownershave, to which extent dependencies exist and thus, who really has a potential influence on public opinion.Fieldwork is not only aimed at finding out who holds the stakes, but at investigating who eventually controls themedia. In addition, MOM provides a contextualization and qualitative analysis by assessing the respectivemarket specifics and legal environment in the countries as well.Data collection was done by a local research team from Samir Kassir Foundation (SKF) in collaboration withReporters Without Borders (RSF).

The data collection is conducted following a detailed User Guide, covering the following sections:

The User Guide is developed on the basis of already existing media ownership and media pluralism research.The indicators are inspired by and harmonized with the EU-funded Media Pluralism Monitor of the Centre forMedia Pluralism and Media Freedom (CMPF) at the European University Institute (EUI, Florence).

Means: Data Collection and Fieldwork

Instrument: MOM - User Guide

Section A - “Context” provides a first look into the media market and flanking conditions, such as theregulatory framework related to ownership issues, country information, and media-specific data. Thissection allows to better understand the findings of the following sections and to contextualize estimatedrisks for media plurality.In Section B - “Media Market”, the types of media that are relevant for opinion-formation are agreed uponon the basis of the audience reach. At most 10 media outlets per media type - TV, radio, print, and online –are selected.In Section C - “Ownership”, owner/shareholder/people with influence on the most relevant media areresearched. Key media companies are defined economically (related to their revenue) and investigatedconcerning their ownership characteristics.Section D - “Indicators” explains the indicators to assess risks to media pluralism.



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http://monitor.cmpf.eui.eu/



Frequently Asked Questions

The “Media Ownership Monitor” (MOM) has been developed as a mapping tool in order to create a publiclyavailable, continuously updated database that lists owners of all relevant mass media outlets - press, radio,television, and online media.MOM aims to shed light on the risks to media pluralism caused by media ownership concentration (for moreinformation: Methodology). In order to grasp the national characteristics and detect risk-enhancing or risk-reducing factors for media concentration, MOM also qualitatively assesses the market conditions and legalenvironment.

MOM has been proposed and launched by Reporter ohne Grenzen e. V. – the German section of theinternational human rights organization Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF), that aimsto defend freedom of the press and the right to inform and be informed anywhere in the world.In each country, RSF cooperates with a local partner organization. In Lebanon, RSF worked with the SamirKassir Foundation (SKF). The project is funded by the Federal German Ministry of Economic Development andCooperation (BMZ).

The website affords a PDF download containing all website content. The PDF is automatically generated andthus updated on a daily base. It exists for all website languages. In order to generate the PDF, scroll down tothe website footer, choose your preferred language and “Download complete website as PDF”.

Media pluralism is a key aspect of democratic societies as free, independent, and diverse media reflectdivergent viewpoints and allow criticism of people in power. Risks to diversity of ideas are caused by mediamarket concentration, when only a few players exert dominant influence on public opinion and raise entrancebarriers for other players and perspectives (media ownership concentration). The biggest obstacle to fight it islack of transparency of media ownership: How can people evaluate the reliability of information, if they don´tknow who provides it? How can journalists work properly, if they don´t know who controls the company theywork for? And how can media authorities address excessive media concentration, if they don´t know who is

1. What is MOM?

2. Who is behind MOM?

3. Where can I download this report?

4. Why is transparency of media ownership important?



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/about/methodology/

https://www.reporter-ohne-grenzen.de/

http://www.rsf.org/

http://www.skeyesmedia.org/en/home

http://www.bmz.de/en/



behind the media´s steering wheel?MOM thus aims to create transparency and to answer the question “who eventually controls media content?” inorder to raise public awareness, to create a fact base for advocacy to hold political and economic playersaccountable for the existing conditions.As we consider ownership transparency as a crucial precondition to enforce media pluralism, we document theopenness of media companies/outlets to provide information on their ownership structure. Considering theiranswers, we distinguish different levels of transparency – which is indicated for each media outlet and mediacompany on their profile.Media owner’s motivation to remain hidden or even actively disguise their investments can vary from legitimateto illegal and be rooted in personal, legal or business-related reasons – or a mix thereof, in extreme cases evenincluding criminal offenses like tax evasion or breaches of anti-trust laws.Some of those reasons include the following:

MOM doesn’t make normative statements – it doesn’t suggest how to regulate media ownership. Which form ofmedia concentration regulation can work, depends on the country context, the existing legal and marketconditions, the ownership landscape.MOM provides a transparency tool to enforce a democratic discussion on that issue as well as goodgovernance: decisions are likely to be of higher quality and to better reflect the needs and wishes of the peopleif they have access to adequate information and broad consultations, with views and opinions freely shared.

Preferably, official data sources, and/or sources with a high level of reliability and trust are used. Whenever notpublicly available, information was directly requested of media companies, representatives of mediainstitutions, the Ministry of Information and research institutes. All sources are thoroughly documented andarchived. Further information is available upon request at SKeyes.For TV, Radio and Print data, MOM used data from IPSOS (Audience Data TV, Q1 and Q2 2018; Radio, Q1, 2and 3 2017; Print, average readership for years 2016 and 2017; Online, average number of unique browsers in

In several countries, media ownership is restricted by law in order to avoid concentration. So if oneindividual wants to extend his or her media empire beyond these limits, proxy owners and/or shellcompanies registered abroad, even off-shore, are frequently being used.Sometimes, media owners receive personal threats or face other dangers either originating fromgovernments or competing businesses and therefore decide to remain unknown to protect themselves.In many cases, media ownership is intertwined with undue political or economic interests, even more so ifindividuals are involved that hold a public office and who don’t want to disclose such a conflict of interests.In rare cases, the disguise of media ownership happens unintentionally because over time and throughmergers and acquisitions, corporate structures became so complex that the original beneficial owner isdifficult to identify.Last not least, there are ‘normal’ – i. e. non-media-related reasons for owners to hide, such as tax evasion.

5. What kind of concentration regulation does MOM suggest?

6. How is data collected and validated?



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https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/en/library/



August, September and October 2018). MOM got this data for free and would like to thank QuantumCommunications for its cooperation on this issue. Audience data are available on request from the SamirKassir Foundation.For information on media companies, the publicly available media outlet information was retrieved from theLebanese commercial register, where any company operating in Lebanon has to register. Corporate details onshareholders, owners etc. were requested at the same register. It can be purchased for a fee. MOM would liketo thank SAAS law firm for its cooperation on this issue.In order to guarantee and verify the objective evaluation, MOM worked with an advisory group thatcommented and consulted throughout the research process. It was composed of national specialists with asubstantial knowledge of and experience in the media and communications fields. Amongst others, thefollowing experts were accompanying the research process (in alphabetical order):

The main question is: which media outlets influence the opinion-forming process? In order to scan all relevantmedia, we included all traditional media types (Print, Radio, TV, Online). The media were selected according tothe following criteria:

Dr. Maria Abou ZeidMs. Nidal AyoubMs. Vanessa BassilDr. May ChidiacMr. Gabriel DeekMr. Dany HaddadMr. Jean-Pierre KatribMs. Gisele KhouryDr. Jad Melki

7. How is “most relevant media” defined?

MOM focused mostly on media with the highest reach, measured by audience share. Basis for selectionwas audience research data for the most recent period available at IPSOS (Radio: Q1, Q2 and Q3 2017; TV:Q1 and Q2 2018; Print: 2016 and 2017; Online: August, September, October 2018).The news worthiness and opinion content. The study focuses on general information with a nationalfocus. As such, media with specific thematic focus (music, sport, religion, etc.), social networks, searchengines and advertisement were excluded.The selection based on these criteria initially consisted of an average of ten media outlets per mediatype (TV, radio, print, and online). Shedding light on these most relevant media outlets already allowsrevealing tendencies in media concentration. More media outlets may be added according to theirrelevance in terms of their owner or their influence on public opinion (read more - “How are media outletsselected?”).



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http://www.skeyesmedia.org/en/Contact-Us

http://www.skeyesmedia.org/en/Contact-Us

https://www.justice.gov.lb/index.php/department-details/4/1)

http://www.saas-law.com/



TV stations were all selected as the Lebanese media market counts 9 local TV stations. Their reach was basedon Ipsos data from January to end of August 2018.

Radio stations also selected according to their national reach based on Ipsos data (Q1, Q2 and Q3 2017). Theyconsist of Category A, i.e. political radio stations. At the time of the study, the second wave of audience data for2018 was not available.

For the newspapers selection, we included all 11 printed daily newspapers in circulation in Lebanon as ofAugust 1, 2018.

For the online market, primarily news websites operating only online (“pure players”) and partisan websiteswere looked at as they build up public opinion. Social networks (e.g. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), onlinestores and advertisement websites were excluded, as they are not relevant when it comes to the editorialcontent and ownership. When available, MOM used the number of unique visitors to get an estimate of thereach, as well as analyzed their online presence on social media.The advisory group also contributed to the media selection (see 5. How is data collected and validated).

A strong local partner organization such as the Samir Kassir Foundation’s SKeyes Center for Media andCultural Freedom is the basis for a successful implementation and the most relevant selection criteria.Lebanon ranks 100 (out of 180 countries) in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index published by ReportersWithout Borders, which positions nations according to indicators such as media independence, self-censorship,rule of law, transparency, and abuses.It is a country with a long tradition of privately-owned media, especially in the newspaper sector. Its relativelyopen and competitive political system has allowed for a wide diversity of opinion. However, the relative weakstate institutions and limited culture of law enforcement have also meant that several aspects of mediaregulations, for example the online sector, do not exist. Lebanon is also a country where the proximity betweenpolitical actors (individual politicians and political parties) and the media sector is very high: several mediaoutlets were created by and still linked to political parties. This trend has started during the 1975-1990 civil warand continued in peace time.

MOM was developed as a generic methodology that can be universally applied – and potentially will be.Notwithstanding that media concentration trends are observable worldwide; implementation and analysis willfirst take place in developing countries. MOM has been implemented in around 20 countries over the course ofthree years. All country projects can be found on the global website.

8. How are the media outlets selected?

9. Why Lebanon?

10. Does the MOM only exist for Lebanon ?



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https://rsf.org/en/lebanon

http://www.mom-rsf.org/



The database :

The database is a snapshot of the current situation, contextualized by historical facts. It will be updatedregularly by the Samir Kassir Foundation (SKF).

The Media Ownership Monitor is mainly inspired by two similar projects. Especially the indicators for a laterranking rely heavily on the EU-funded Media Pluralism Monitor of the Centre for Media Pluralism and MediaFreedom (CMPF) at the European University Institute (EUI, Florence). Moreover, Media Pedia, an ownershipdatabase developed by investigative journalists in Macedonia served as inspiration for the Media OwnershipMonitor. An overview over other similar projects can be found in the table below.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Acess Info A Spanish NGO that works in the field of media ownership transparencyin several European countries.

11. What are the limitations of the study?No economic data: Market concentration based on market share could not be calculated since completeand credible numbers were not available publicly. Some print outlets shared them on request, which isindicated in their Media outlet profile.Official audience measurement data is not publicly available - it is being sold by research companies.Although data for corporate ownership are available at the BRELA, accessing them can be costly andinconvenient.

12. Who do we target?

allows each citizen to get informed on the media system in general;creates a fact base for civil society’s advocacy efforts to further promote public consciousness on mediaownership and concentration;serves as a point of reference for consulting competition authorities or governmental bodies whenestablishing suitable regulatory measures to safeguard media pluralism.

13. What happens next?

14. Are there similar projects?



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http://www.skeyesmedia.org/

http://cmpf.eui.eu/media-pluralism-monitor/

http://cmpf.eui.eu/media-pluralism-monitor/

http://mediapedia.mk/

https://www.access-info.org/




Article 19 An NGO which works in the field of press freedom. It implements mediaconcentration projects.

Deutsche Welle The Media Freedom Navigator of Deutsche Welle provides an overviewof different media freedom indices.

European AudiovisualObservatory

A database of television and audiovisual services in Europe.

European Journalism Center The Website provides a summary and analysis of the state of the mediain Europe and neighbouring countries.

European University Institutein Florence

The Media Pluralism Monitor assesses risks for media pluralism in theEU Member States.

IFEX The network provides information of the state of the media in manycountries.

IREX The Media Sustainability Index (MSI) provides analyses of the conditionsfor independent media in 80 countries.

Media Pedia A project that is monitoring the media ownership in Macedonia.

mediaUk The Website provides information about media ownership in GreatBritain.

Pew Research Center The organisation publishes an interactive database about media in theUnited States.

SEENPM Monitors media ownership and the impact on media pluralism insoutheastern Europe and EU member states.

The Columbia Institute forTele-Information at ColumbiaBusiness School

A research that works with authors from 30 countries in the world aboutmedia concentration using a common methodology.

The Institute for Media and A database of international corporations of the world´s biggest media.



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https://www.article19.org/

http://akademie.dw.de/navigator

http://mavise.obs.coe.int/

http://mavise.obs.coe.int/

https://medialandscapes.org/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/typo3/cmpf.eui.eu/media-pluralism-monitor/

https://lebanon.mom-rsf.org/typo3/cmpf.eui.eu/media-pluralism-monitor/

https://ifex.org//

https://www.irex.org/resource/media-sustainability-index-msi

http://www.mediapedia.mk/

http://https//media.info/global

http://www.mom-rsf.org/typo3/www.pewresearch.org/topics/state-of-the-news-media/

http://mediaobservatory.net/

https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/citi/research



https://www.mediadb.eu/




Communication Policy

UNESCO Media Development Indicators - A framework for assessing mediadevelopment.



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http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0016/001631/163102e.pdf



Team

Jihane Abdallah is the Finance Officer of the Beirut-based Samir Kassir Foundation – SKeyes Center for Mediaand Cultural Freedom, the leading freedom of expression NGO in the Levant region. She joined SKF in February2012. In this capacity, Jihane manages the Foundation’s accounting, budgeting and reporting activities. Sheshares her extensive experience by overseeing the accounting / finance departments of The Lebanese Initiativefor Oil and Gas (LOGI) and House of Peace (HOPe). She previously served as Finance Officer at Abaad –Resource Center for Gender Equality, Regional Finance Officer at Save the Children - Sweden and Accountant /Office Manager at the Arab Image Foundation. She is also a consultant for the establishment of Accounting andFinance Departments in emerging NGOs.Lea Auffarth is Junior project manager for the Media Ownership Monitor for Lebanon and Egypt. She studiedJournalism in Germany (TU Dortmund) and Turkey (Bilgi Üniversitesi Istanbul), did a traineeship with the WestGerman Broadcasting Corporation and worked as freelance journalist for radio and online publications. In herMaster degree in Conflict Resolution in Divided Societies at King’s College London she studied national, ethnicand religious conflicts in the Middle East.Nour El-Assaad is a translator and interpreter, with more than 15 years of notable industry experience. Sheworked at the National Democratic Institute, where she specialized in political and election- relatedterminology. In 2017, she founded L’Atelier Translations, a company that offers translation and interpretationservices. Nour also translates the work of Joumana Haddad, a Lebanese journalist and poet. Nour has a MA intranslation from Saint-Joseph University and another MA in interpretation from the Lebanese University.Widad Jarbouh is a journalist and researcher defending freedom of thought and expression. She is in chargeof the Lebanese and Palestinian folders at the Samir Kassir Foundation/SKeyes Center for Media and CulturalFreedom since October 2010. She holds a BA in journalism and a capacity-building for non-profits certificatefrom the Lebanese American University. She is also press officer for the Beirut Spring Festival.Mahmoud Younis is a senior graphic designer with 11 years of experience. He is an expert in branding,illustrations, social media, marketing and advertising. He has been Web administrator and graphic designer atthe Samir Kassir Foundation since January 2015. In 2010, he created an art studio called Designosaur where heexhibited his artworks. Mahmoud is also a visual artist who participated in several exhibitions and art activities.Micheline Khoueir is the administrative officer at the Samir Kassir Foundation – SKeyes Center for Media andCultural freedom. She joined SKF in February 2018. She studied architecture at ALBA (Académie Libanaise desBeaux-Arts). She previously served as sales manager in the private sector.Clothilde Le Coz is a journalist and an international technical expert in media development. She works as aMOM MENA regional manager and covers Tunisia, Morocco Lebanon and Egypt. In 2015, she led the researchfor MOM pilot-project in Cambodia. A former director for Reporters Without Borders USA in Washington DC,she started to work in 2007 as a journalist, specialising in online freedom issues. Based in Southeast Asia from

MOM Team



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2012 to 2016, she reported about political and social issues for international media outlets from Cambodia,Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. In parallel, she worked in the media development field as an expert and ajournalism trainer. Her area of expertise focuses on media independence and the role of civil society incountries in democratic transition. Clothilde holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs & Journalism fromSciences Po Grenoble.Joseph Melhem El-Hachem is a member of Lebanon’s Editors Syndicate. He worked as journalist, sub-editorand managing editor for Nass wa Nass supplement, columnist and general supervisor for Nida’ Al-Watan dailyfrom 1992 to 2000, sub-editor for Al-Basir monthly in 1997 and Al-Usbu’iya Iraki magazine (he also co-foundedits Lebanese version in 2007). Since 2000, he has been a sub-editor for Al-Mustaqbal daily, where he alsomanages the Politics section and is in charge of opinion articles. He is the editing coordinator atthe SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom since 2009 and works as a freelance writer for Al-Hayat daily. He took part in several conferences and seminars tackling freedom of expression and opinion, andtraining workshops for Lebanese journalists and bloggers in Lebanon and abroad on how to write news articlesand choose the right titles.Ayman Mhanna is the Executive Director of the Beirut-based Samir Kassir Foundation – SKeyes Center forMedia and Cultural Freedom, the leading freedom of expression NGO in the Levant region. He joined SKF inSeptember 2011. In this capacity, Ayman oversees the Foundation’s monitoring, advocacy, research andtraining activities. From January 2016 to February 2017, he was also the Executive Director of the Global Forumfor Media Development (GFMD), a network of 200 media development and journalism assistance organisations.Both at the Samir Kassir Foundation and GFMD, Ayman oversaw the organization of large-scale conferences,workshops and festivals, gathering hundreds of participants. He previously served as Senior Program Officerfor the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (2007-2011) working on election observation,electoral reform and civil society involvement in public policy-making. He was also a lecturer on the Master’sprogramme at Saint Joseph University’s Faculty of Economics, teaching Policy Development andCommunications (2011-2016). Ayman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Saint Joseph University inBeirut and a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Sciences Po Paris.Edward Rowell, from London, England, came to Beirut in September 2018 having just finished A Levels at PriorPark College in Bath and started working as an intern at the Samir Kassir Foundation, helping out on theproject, assisting research and proofreading.Jad Shahrour is a Lebanese journalist and a civil society activist. He has been working as the SKFcommunication officer since March 2017. Focusing on economic and political reform in the country, his workrevolves around using the media to advance societal cohesion, tolerance, and defend freedom of expressionand digital rights. In 2014, he was part of the founding team of The New Arab, now a leading English-languagesource of Middle East news, focusing on influential media news (socio-political stories). He worked there as asenior editor and journalist. Throughout his career, Jad campaigned to advance equality and the rule of law,taking part in workshops and local and Arab conferences tackling human rights, raising awareness on thesituation for Sudanese refugees and campaigning on gender-based violence, especially in Syria.Nada Sleiman is a translator and a researcher for the Beirut-based Samir Kassir Foundation– SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom. She joined SKF in November 2011. Besides translating allreports and press releases for the foundation, she is also contributing to media monitoring projects andsupport to emerging media. Nada is also involved in organizing the Foundation’s main internationalconferences. She has been teaching translation and communications at the St-Joseph University in Beirut since2011.Olaf Steenfadt heads the "Media Ownership Monitor" project for Reporters Without Borders. For many years,he has been involved as a consultant and coach for media pluralism, especially in development cooperation.



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Mandates of international organizations and NGOs lead him primarily to Southeast Europe and in the Arabworld. He previously worked for ARD and ZDF in various roles, including as radio and TV presenter, investigativeauthor, domestic and foreign correspondent, as well as in format development and program marketing. Olafteaches media history, media policy and regulation at universities in Germany and Europe.

The Samir Kassir Foundation is a Lebanese non-profit organization officially incorporated in Beirut underregistry number 30/A.D., founded on February 1, 2006. It is named after Samir Kassir, a Lebanese journalistassassinated in Beirut on June 2, 2005. It aims to spread democratic culture in Lebanon and the Arab world,encourage new talents in journalism, and build the movement for a cultural, democratic, and secular renewal.These are the conditions to lift the Arab populations out of their “state of malaise,” described inSamir Kassir’s book “Being Arab.” The Foundation strives to defend freedom of media and culture throughthe SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom that it hosts since 2008, which has become thelargest center to monitor violations against journalists and artists in the Arab Levant as well as a reference forresearch on journalism and for training media professionals and enhancing their skills.

The Samir Kassir Foundation

Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières, RSF) was founded in Montpellier (France) in 1985 byfour journalists. It is registered in France as a non-profit organization and has consultant status at the UnitedNations and UNESCO. RSF advocates for media freedom, supports independent media and protectsendangered journalists worldwide. Its missions are

Since 1994, the German section is active in Berlin. Although the German section works closely with theInternational Secretariat in Paris to research and evaluate media freedom worldwide, it is organizationally andfinancially independent. In that role, it has applied for a grant at the federal German Ministry for EconomicCooperation and Development - in order to finance the Media Ownership Monitor project.

Reporters Without Borders

to continuously monitor attacks on freedom of information worldwide;to denounce any such attacks in the mediato act in cooperation with governments to fight censorship and laws aimed at restricting freedom ofinformationto act in cooperation with governments to fight censorship and laws aimed at restricting freedom ofinformationto morally and financially assist persecuted journalists, as well as their families;to offer material assistance to war correspondents in order to enhance their safety.



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http://rsf.org/

http://www.unesco.org/

http://reporter-ohne-grenzen.de/



ContactThis website is continuously updated. We welcome any comments, questions and suggestions.

Samir Kassir Foundation (SKF): info[at]skeyesmedia.org

Reporters Without Borders: mom[at]reporter-ohne-grenzen.de



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Media Ownership Monitor Lebanon

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