Télé-Liban, Lebanon’s national broadcaster, originated from the 1977 merger of two private stations—La Compagnie Libanaise de Télévision and Télé-Orient—which were acquired by the government during the country’s civil war. Once a leading broadcaster, Télé-Liban has seen its audience share dwindle to a fraction of the market, eclipsed by a vibrant and highly competitive private television landscape that dominates Lebanese media today.
Media assets
Television: Télé-Liban
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
Télé-Liban is entirely state-owned, following a complex history of ownership changes over the past decades that saw various private investors briefly hold stakes. Today, both the chairperson and board of directors are appointed directly by the government, with the Ministry of Information playing a central role in the station’s oversight.
Calls for privatization have periodically resurfaced. In 2018, then-Information Minister Melhem Riachi publicly advocated for privatizing Télé-Liban and its radio counterpart, Radio Liban, arguing such a move could alleviate the financial burden on the state. Nonetheless, the proposal failed to gain political traction and no concrete steps have since been taken.
As of 2025, no restructuring plan has been implemented, and Télé-Liban remains a public entity—one whose governance reflects Lebanon’s broader institutional paralysis and the deepening economic crisis.
Elissar Naddaf Geagea was appointed as General Manager (Director-General and Chairwoman of the Board) of Télé Liban in mid-July 2025. With a strong background in media management and public communication, she has held various roles in Lebanon’s media sector. Her appointment by the Lebanese Council of Ministers marks a significant milestone, as she brings extensive experience and a reputation for professionalism to the leadership of Lebanon’s national broadcaster.
Source of funding and budget
Télé-Liban operates on a hybrid funding model comprising advertising revenue and direct state subsidies. Due to its marginal audience share, advertising income has eroded significantly over the past decade, leaving the broadcaster increasingly dependent on the public purse.
Local media analysts interviewed for this report in June 2025 estimate that the Lebanese government allocates around LBP 20 billion (approximately US$13.3 million) annually to keep the station operational. However, with Lebanon’s severe currency devaluation and fiscal shortfalls, even this modest allocation has become precarious.
The broadcaster does not publish audited financial reports or public budgets, further complicating efforts to assess its financial health or accountability.
In August 2023, Télé-Liban made headlines when it was forced off the air after staff launched a protest over months of unpaid salaries. The shutdown, although short-lived, marked an unprecedented interruption in state broadcasting. Transmission resumed after one day, but the episode highlighted the broadcaster’s acute operational fragility amid Lebanon’s wider economic collapse.
Editorial independence
Télé-Liban is widely regarded as lacking editorial autonomy. Analysts and media experts interviewed for this report in May 2024 and June 2025 describe it as being under firm government influence, with editorial decisions often reflecting official narratives or political alignments.
However, due to its minimal public reach and limited influence, the broadcaster is not a primary focus of state propaganda efforts, which tend to concentrate on more prominent private outlets with wider audiences and political backing.
While Lebanon’s 1962 Press Law and the 1994 Audiovisual Media Law contain broad protections against arbitrary state interference in the press, there is no specific legislative safeguard guaranteeing Télé-Liban’s editorial independence. Moreover, there are no independent oversight bodies or regulatory mechanisms in place to verify the station’s compliance with journalistic standards or to shield it from political interference.
July 2025