On May 28, 2025, the Maharat Foundation, in collaboration with the Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC) and with the support of the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, hosted a high-level roundtable titled “Strengthening Information Governance for Transparent Elections: Gaps, Needs, and Best Practices.” This event was organized to host Adriana, founding member of MEDEA, and to present her pivotal research supporting evidence-based media and electoral reform in Lebanon.
Adriana’s contributions form a core component of the European Union-funded project “Media Reform to Enhance Freedom of Expression in Lebanon,” jointly implemented by MJRC, Maharat Foundation, and Legal Agenda. As part of the project, Adriana authored two studies designed to guide Lebanese lawmakers in reforming media-related legislation in line with international standards.
The first research study, “Regulation of Social Media and Elections in Europe”, offers a detailed analysis of how European Union Member States are addressing the growing risks of electoral interference and digital disinformation. By examining legal and regulatory frameworks, the research presents actionable recommendations for Lebanon to responsibly regulate digital platforms during elections while safeguarding freedom of expression. The full study is available here: https://journalismresearch.org/2024/12/regulation-of-social-media-and-elections-in-europe/
The second publication provides a comparative overview of electoral laws and frameworks across Europe, mapping legislative and administrative structures that underpin democratic elections. This background study identifies key principles of electoral integrity and offers contextualized recommendations tailored to Lebanon’s evolving political and legal landscape. The study can be accessed here: https://journalismresearch.org/2025/02/monitoring-the-ballot-election-supervision-monitoring-and-observation/
At the roundtable, Adriana discussed how EU countries address electoral interference and digital disinformation, recommending practical measures for Lebanon to regulate digital platforms during elections. Following Adriana’s presentation, a diverse panel of experts shared insights on the regulatory and oversight mechanisms that would best support information integrity during electoral periods in Lebanon. The discussion also focused on the challenges of regulating content on social media platforms and ensuring accountability while respecting democratic freedoms.
The roundtable brought together a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including Government representatives, civil society organizations (CSOs), legal, electoral, and media experts, journalists, former election candidates, individuals with direct experience working with Lebanon’s Election Supervision Commission.
By drawing on European experiences and fostering an inclusive dialogue, the event aimed to contextualize global best practices within Lebanon’s evolving media and political environment. It served as a platform for formulating actionable, locally adapted recommendations for regulating online political content and enhancing electoral monitoring and supervision. This initiative underscores MJRC’s mission to support democratic reform through rigorous research and inclusive policy dialogue. Alongside partners Maharat Foundation and Legal Agenda, and with the continuing support of the European Union, Adriana Mutu’s work marks a significant step toward building a more transparent, accountable, and democratic information ecosystem in Lebanon.