After my identify was floated for the Minister of Data function, a place I’m not inclined to contemplate, I put collectively this technique and plan of motion for whoever needs to simply accept the function. This may give them perception into how the business may be improved.
Imaginative and prescient:
- Brief time period: Improve Transparency & Entry to Dependable Data
- Lengthy-term: Rework the Ministry of Data into the Ministry of Cyber
Ministries of Data sometimes exist in authoritarian governments as a propaganda software for the state. The plan is to ultimately remodel it into the Ministry of Cyber to reinforce entry to modernize Lebanon’s digital panorama.
With a regulated, free, and improved media sphere, achievable inside the mandate, we might be prepared to rework the Ministry of Data into the Ministry of Cyber.
Strategic Priorities
1. Selling Transparency & Entry to Data
- Media Transparency Necessities
- Ban overseas funding of native media to make sure Lebanese media independence.
- Clearly label state-owned media retailers.
- Take away overseas state-sponsored propaganda and politically managed media – serving to transition politically owned and funded retailers into independently funded media.
- Fight Faux Information & Disinformation
- Require licenses (simply accessible) for media retailers and journalists.
- Implement a compulsory course on pretend information, incitement, and propaganda for journalists as a way to purchase the license.
- Require a license to report news-providing platform, whether or not as an outlet or a journalist/reported.
- Prohibit incitement and propaganda; promote fact-based reporting.
- Help Native Media Sustainability
- Mandate that firms spending over $100k yearly on adverts focusing on Lebanese audiences allocate the vast majority of their advert spend to native media retailers, creators, and platforms as a substitute of overseas firms (Meta, Google, TikTok, and so forth.).
- A portion of those funds ought to go to Nationwide Information Company (NNA) and TeleLiban primarily based on truthful efficiency metrics to strengthen Lebanon’s public information ecosystem.
- Finalize and broaden on the safety of journalists in opposition to bodily violence and authorized motion aimed toward silencing and censorship.
2. Strengthening Public Information Infrastructure
- Improve NNA & TeleLiban
- Improve journalistic requirements and supply dependable information protection to help native media retailers.
- Introduce cultural, tourism, and academic programming on TeleLiban to advertise Lebanon’s id, traditions, and tourism sector.
- Make TeleLiban freely accessible nationwide, eradicating dependency on cable subscriptions.
- Discover internationalizing state media to broaden Lebanese affect and comfortable energy
- Make the archives accessible for licensing to generate income.
- Develop Media Internship Packages
- Accomplice with universities to determine large-scale media internship packages, creating a talented and well-prepared expertise pool for Lebanese media retailers.
- Help media education schemes in universities to higher put together the longer term era of stories and media employees.
- Improve Authorities Transparency
- Dwell stream all parliamentary periods.
- Publish all MP voting data publicly for accountability.
3. Regulating Digital Promoting & Influencer Advertising
- Guarantee Transparency in Sponsored Content material
- Mandate all media retailers, influencers, and content material creators to reveal paid/sponsored content material.
- Implement monetary penalties on violators, directing fines towards enhancing media reforms and infrastructure.
- Align promoting laws with worldwide requirements to reinforce shopper belief.
4. Cross-Ministry Collaboration
- Multilingual Authorities Data
- Work with ministries to make sure public info is accessible in a number of languages (pricing, laws, public choices, and so forth.).
- Implement clear and clear labeling of meals merchandise and different shopper items.
- Help Nationwide Management Communications
- Enhance public info efforts from the President, Prime Minister, and Speaker to make sure correct and direct communication with the general public.
- Collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism to reinforce Lebanon’s world media presence.
5. Transition to Ministry of Cyber (Put up-2026 Potential Cupboard Reshuffle)
As soon as foundational reforms above are established, transfer ahead with full digital transformation:
- Launch an All-in-One E-Authorities App
- Create a single digital portal (just like UAE’s eGov platform) for all authorities companies.
- Self-fund operations via small transaction charges on app-based funds.
- Set up a Unified E-Gov Login System
- Develop a single sign-on (SSO) system for residents throughout all authorities platforms.
- Modernize Authorities On-line Presence
- Redesign and standardize web sites of presidency ministries and establishments.
- Digitize Small Companies
- Launch initiatives to deliver small companies on-line, stimulating financial progress and digital commerce.
- Improve Cybersecurity for State Property
- Implement fashionable cybersecurity frameworks to guard authorities information and on-line infrastructure.
This plan units a basis for remodeling Lebanon’s Ministry of Data from a legacy establishment right into a forward-thinking, digital-first entity that enhances transparency, strengthens native media, and advances the nation’s digital ecosystem.
The transition right into a Ministry of Cyber will place Lebanon competitively on a worldwide scale, fostering innovation, financial progress, and a extra knowledgeable society.
Anthony Kantara is a self-made entrepreneur in media, having launched and offered two media firms in Canada earlier than founding 961 in 2016 as an unbiased, nonprofit media outlet.
961 has grown into Lebanon’s main digital media platform, serving 3.6 million annual readers, with a month-to-month attain of 20 million – primarily amongst youthful demographics – being the voice of the individuals throughout essential intervals such because the revolution, financial crises, the Beirut Port explosion, and the battle.
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