WhatsApp Overtakes Television<\/p>\n
The study found that 73% of the Lebanese public accessed war news through mobile phones, while 63% continued to rely on television. Radio consumption nearly disappeared, falling to just 2%.<\/p>\n
WhatsApp emerged as the dominant news platform, with 59% relying on its channels and groups as a primary source, surpassing other social media platforms (41%) and television news (38%). Younger audiences relied heavily on digital platforms, while older generations continued to depend more on television.<\/p>\n
Despite its widespread use, only 16% of respondents said they trusted war news on WhatsApp \u201ca lot or completely\u201d. Television and other social media platforms maintained higher trust levels at 29% and 31% respectively, suggesting continued public skepticism toward information circulating through closed messaging groups.<\/p>\n
The Silent Majority<\/p>\n
News consumption was exceptionally high, with 50% of participants following the war continuously or very closely. However, 82% said they never posted or shared war-related content on social media.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Al-Fanar Media, Dr. Jad Melki, the study\u2019s principal investigator and Professor of Journalism and Media Studies at LAU, said many people avoid posting because they fear backlash from employers, friends, or governments, while others feel unqualified to contribute online.<\/p>\n
![\"WhatsApp,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/33333-1.jpg\")
Dr. Jad Melki, Institute of Media Research and Training, Lebanese American University.<\/p>\n
Melki warned that this silence allows highly active groups to dominate online discussions. \u201cMany bots, paid content, propagandists, and electronic armies engage online, especially from the Israeli side,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, when regular people don\u2019t engage online, you get the inaccurate impression that the pro-Israeli side is a majority, when the reality is the opposite.\u201d<\/p>\n
Youth and Political Expression<\/p>\n
The study found major generational differences in political attitudes. Respondents under 25 expressed stronger hostility toward the United States and were less likely to support diplomacy as the only solution. They also showed greater support for armed resistance and viewed the liberation of Palestine as a duty.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore and more people are being encouraged to post, especially the young generation and the college students,\u201d Melki said. \u201cThey are courageous, savvy, justice-oriented and have little to lose, so fear is not a major factor with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Research assistant Rami El Assaad said younger participants were often more willing than older generations to openly express political views. Fellow researcher Mariam Ghandour said many young participants answered questions \u201cwithout hesitation\u201d and felt they finally had an opportunity to be heard.<\/p>\n
The study also challenged common assumptions about sectarian media audiences. Despite the political alignment of Al-Manar, data showed that only 33% of its audience identified as Shia, while 29% identified as Sunni. Alongside OTV, Al-Manar showed some of the highest sectarian diversity among Lebanese television audiences.<\/p>\n
Fieldwork Under Bombardment<\/p>\n
Collecting a 1,000-person national sample during an active war created major security and psychological challenges for the research team. The fieldwork took place amid severe economic hardship: 54.3% of participants were unemployed, 41.9% lived on less than $300 a month, and 29.6% had experienced displacement because of the war.<\/p>\n
![\"WhatsApp,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/444444-1-1024x768.jpg\")
Members of the research team who contributed to the study: Dayana Bou Assaly, Karl Arkhondis, Lea Al Fata, Mariam Ghandour, Maysaa Ajjan, Nancy Haidar, Nour Al Halabi, Nour Kassak El Moghrabi, Rami El Assaad, and Taline Wehbe.<\/p>\n
Research assistant Karl Arkhondis recalled that some participants were suspicious of the researchers and feared they were connected to the government. He said the experience reinforced the importance of independent research during periods of intense political polarization and competing media narratives.<\/p>\n
Research assistant Nancy Haidar said participants were initially hesitant, particularly when discussing political views, but many became more comfortable after researchers explained the purpose of the study. \u201cI realized the importance of media research in understanding public perceptions, especially during war,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The study recommends expanding media literacy programmes to help young people navigate polarization and misinformation.<\/p>\n
Melki said universities typically address this through curriculum development and training programmes. \u201cAt LAU, we have been working for over a decade to introduce media literacy curricula to Arab universities and schools through the Media and Digital Literacy Academy of Beirut (MDLAB),\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that regional organizations \u2014 including the Jordan Media Institute\u2019s Media and Information Literacy Academy (MILA), the Arab-European Association for Media and Communication Researchers (AREACORE), and Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) \u2014 also provide open-source materials and training workshops.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Melki said IMRT at LAU plans to launch a new project in Fall 2026 focused on media literacy and religious sectarianism, bringing together media literacy and religion scholars to develop targeted interventions.<\/p>\n
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