Lebanon has a tradition of freedom of speech. This tradition finds expression in media freedom, intellectual discourse, academic debate and a general atmosphere or spirit that makes Beirut a regional capital of thought and center of attraction for far more people than just journalists and academics. This status is intangible; it cannot be expressed as a contribution to GDP or in terms of capital utilization. Nonetheless, through concentration of intellectual capital, it has bearing on the country’s budding creative and design industries. Moreover, this environment is crucial for Lebanon’s future as an origination point of human capital, which, if one reflects on it, is by definition only productive if it is nurtured in freedom. Media – and, more specifically, qualified opinion makers, journalists and commentators – are essential in maintaining and keeping up this freedom-of-speech environment. This function of the media has sometimes been undervalued (especially when it comes to
