Being a journalist in Lebanon is dangerous. For years, those that publicly criticize the government, political system, or injustices, have been persecuted, imprisoned and even assassinated. Dozens of newspapers that have pushed for freedom of the press have been shut down overnight. AnNahar editor-in-chief, Gebran Tueni, fought vehemently for the right to speak freely. He wrote against occupation and ruling authorities, writing that inspired a revolution, but ultimately cost him his life in 2005 when he was assassinated. Now, almost two decades later, newspapers are struggling with even more political pressure and threats, which have forced many to shut down forever.

 

AnNahar wanted to use the legacy of these extinct publications to send a clear message – the press will never be silenced.

On the anniversary of AnNahar’s former editor-in-chief’s assassination – December 12th – AnNahar released a daily edition of the paper that was different than any newspaper anywhere had ever released. It didn't release just one, but seven newspapers.

 

Inside the front and back cover of AnNahar’s Newspapers-Inside-The-Newspaper Edition, Lebanese readers found, to their surprise, spread after spread of front pages of papers that were shut down previously because of political pressure. These pages were designed to look exactly like they did when they were running.

 

Written by the same journalists who ran those extinct publications and had fought for free speech until the very end, the Edition brought together papers from all political sides, even competitors at their time, featuring different languages of Lebanon.

 

The Edition was not only distributed on newsstands throughout Lebanon, but published online and on social as well where readers could access all seven news publications.