Ayman MHANNA
Education
Bachelor, Economics - Valedictorian
Universite Saint-Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon, 2001-2004.
MA, International Affairs and Development - Cum Laude
Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Sciences Po, Paris France 2004-2006.
Publications
Independent Media in Lebanon – Content Analysis and Public Appeal, Samir KassirFoundation, Friedrich Naumann Foundation – December 2020
Content analysis of articles and reports published by Lebanon’s leading independent online media
outlets and qualitative audience research focusing on media consumption patterns of Lebanese youth
from 18-25
Media Accountability in Lebanon, in Media Accountability in the MENA Region, Erich Brost
Institut gGmbH – December 2020
Overview of public and non-state accountability mechanisms in the Lebanese media sector
Digital Rights Awareness in Lebanon – Digital Rights as Human Rights, Samir Kassir Foundation – December 2020
Analysis of a large-scale survey and qualitative research operation in Lebanon on citizens’
understanding and awareness of their digital rights
International Economic Support to Lebanon – How not to Lose the CEDRE Opportunity,
Democratic Renewal Movement – July 2019
Comparative analysis of the context and content of economic support initiatives targeting Lebanon
since 2001, and recommendations to avoid a severe economic crisis, published months before the
actual economic collapse that has hit the country starting October 2019
Journalism in Crisis – A Content Analysis of the Emerging Media Sector in Syria,
Samir Kassir Foundation, Friedrich Naumann Foundation – October 2017
Qualitative analysis of six-month worth of content of Syria’s top 18 new print and online media outlets
to assess the adherence to international journalistic standards
Reception and Perception of Radical Messages – Pilot Study, Samir Kassir Foundation – June 2016
Assessment of media consumption patterns of citizens in various regions of Lebanon related to
messages developed by radical Islamist groups and government-funded, counter-narrative
communication policies
Assessing Lebanon's Attractiveness for Foreign Direct Investment in The Lebanese
Economy 2006, M.I. Associates S.A.R.L. – June 2006
Evaluation of Lebanon’s legal and administrative framework for foreign direct investment (FDI);
comparison of FDI attractiveness strategies in MENA countries; and outline of reform options to
enhance Lebanon's attractiveness
The Banking Sector in The Lebanese Economy 2003, M.I. Associates S.A.R.L. – July 2004
Evaluation of the Lebanese banking sector performance and analysis of the economic impact of bank
loans to the public sector
Independent Media in Lebanon – Content Analysis and Public Appeal, Samir KassirFoundation, Friedrich Naumann Foundation – December 2020
Content analysis of articles and reports published by Lebanon’s leading independent online media
outlets and qualitative audience research focusing on media consumption patterns of Lebanese youth
from 18-25
Media Accountability in Lebanon, in Media Accountability in the MENA Region, Erich Brost
Institut gGmbH – December 2020
Overview of public and non-state accountability mechanisms in the Lebanese media sector
Digital Rights Awareness in Lebanon – Digital Rights as Human Rights, Samir Kassir Foundation – December 2020
Analysis of a large-scale survey and qualitative research operation in Lebanon on citizens’
understanding and awareness of their digital rights
International Economic Support to Lebanon – How not to Lose the CEDRE Opportunity,
Democratic Renewal Movement – July 2019
Comparative analysis of the context and content of economic support initiatives targeting Lebanon
since 2001, and recommendations to avoid a severe economic crisis, published months before the
actual economic collapse that has hit the country starting October 2019
Journalism in Crisis – A Content Analysis of the Emerging Media Sector in Syria,
Samir Kassir Foundation, Friedrich Naumann Foundation – October 2017
Qualitative analysis of six-month worth of content of Syria’s top 18 new print and online media outlets
to assess the adherence to international journalistic standards
Reception and Perception of Radical Messages – Pilot Study, Samir Kassir Foundation – June 2016
Assessment of media consumption patterns of citizens in various regions of Lebanon related to
messages developed by radical Islamist groups and government-funded, counter-narrative
communication policies
Assessing Lebanon's Attractiveness for Foreign Direct Investment in The Lebanese
Economy 2006, M.I. Associates S.A.R.L. – June 2006
Evaluation of Lebanon’s legal and administrative framework for foreign direct investment (FDI);
comparison of FDI attractiveness strategies in MENA countries; and outline of reform options to
enhance Lebanon's attractiveness
The Banking Sector in The Lebanese Economy 2003, M.I. Associates S.A.R.L. – July 2004
Evaluation of the Lebanese banking sector performance and analysis of
the economic impact of bank loans to the public sector
Experience
Executive Director, 2011 - Present Samir Kassir Foundation - Beirut, Lebanon
. Supervising a team of 25 full- and part-time staff in Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, France, and the US
. Leading the monitoring of freedom of expression violations in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine
. Led the largest support and relief initiative for media and journalists affected by the August 4, 2020
Beirut explosion and the September-November 2024 conflict
. Managing the first safe hosting, shelter, and assistance program for persecuted journalists in the
Middle East and North Africa
. Engaging with diplomatic missions, UN, EU, and US agencies, and public authorities on issues of
human rights, freedom of expression, privacy, digital rights, online freedom, mis- and
disinformation, hate speech, crisis management, media development policy, election management,
development aid, and countering/preventing violent extremism
. Organizing and moderating international conferences and workshops on journalism skills,
journalists’ rights, media and technology, digital rights, and cultural policies
. Authoring and overseeing national and regional studies on media content, media consumption, and
citizens’ perception of media messages
. Raised USD 20+ million in grants, sponsorship, and service contracts in 12 years
. Provided USD 4+ million in grants to independent media organizations in MENA and media
development partner organizations
Chairman, 2022 - Present - Agency for Equality - Lyon, France
. Established the first agency dedicated to channeling advertising funds to independent media
in the MENA region
. Chairing the Agency’s board of directors, which includes representatives of the Samir Kassir
Foundation and the France-based non-profit Equal Rights and Independent Media
Visiting Professor, 2020 - Present - College of Europe Natolin - Poland, Warsaw
. Leading a course entitled New Challenges for Press Freedom, exploring the impact of technology,
business models, information warfare, and safety concerns on media freedom in the 21st century
Executive Director, 2016 - 2017 - Global Forum for Media Development - Brussels, Belgium
. Organized the 400-participant 2016 World Media Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia
. Led the secretariat of a network of 180+ media development organizations across 100 countries
. Facilitated media development coordination meetings for Syria, Yemen, and the broader
MENA region
. Supervised the advocacy for the practical implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16.10
pertaining to Access to Information and protection of fundamental freedoms
. Led advocacy efforts with EU departments and UN agencies to strengthen support for media
development and freedom expression
Lecturer, 2011 - 2016 - Université Saint-Joseph - Beirut, Lebanon
. Taught Policy Development and Communications at the Faculty of Economics’ Master’s program
Senior Program Officer, 2007 - 2011 - National Democratic Institute - Beirut, Lebanon
. Conducted communication, advocacy, political strategy consultations for civil society organizations,
political parties, and election candidates in Lebanon, Egypt, and Togo
. Supervised the deployment and training of domestic and international election observation groups
. Developed citizen participation and political transparency e-democracy tools
Executive Director, 2011 - Present Samir Kassir Foundation - Beirut, Lebanon
. Supervising a team of 25 full- and part-time staff in Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, France, and the US
. Leading the monitoring of freedom of expression violations in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine
. Led the largest support and relief initiative for media and journalists affected by the August 4, 2020
Beirut explosion and the September-November 2024 conflict
. Managing the first safe hosting, shelter, and assistance program for persecuted journalists in the
Middle East and North Africa
. Engaging with diplomatic missions, UN, EU, and US agencies, and public authorities on issues of
human rights, freedom of expression, privacy, digital rights, online freedom, mis- and
disinformation, hate speech, crisis management, media development policy, election management,
development aid, and countering/preventing violent extremism
. Organizing and moderating international conferences and workshops on journalism skills,
journalists’ rights, media and technology, digital rights, and cultural policies
. Authoring and overseeing national and regional studies on media content, media consumption, and
citizens’ perception of media messages
. Raised USD 20+ million in grants, sponsorship, and service contracts in 12 years
. Provided USD 4+ million in grants to independent media organizations in MENA and media
development partner organizations
Chairman, 2022 - Present - Agency for Equality - Lyon, France
. Established the first agency dedicated to channeling advertising funds to independent media
in the MENA region
. Chairing the Agency’s board of directors, which includes representatives of the Samir Kassir
Foundation and the France-based non-profit Equal Rights and Independent Media
Executive Director, 2016 - 2017 - Global Forum for Media Development - Brussels, Belgium
. Organized the 400-participant 2016 World Media Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia
. Led the secretariat of a network of 180+ media development organizations across 100 countries
. Facilitated media development coordination meetings for Syria, Yemen, and the broader
MENA region
. Supervised the advocacy for the practical implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16.10
pertaining to Access to Information and protection of fundamental freedoms
. Led advocacy efforts with EU departments and UN agencies to strengthen support for media
development and freedom expression
Lecturer, 2011 - 2016 - Université Saint-Joseph - Beirut, Lebanon
. Taught Policy Development and Communications at the Faculty of Economics’ Master’s program
Senior Program Officer, 2007 - 2011 - National Democratic Institute - Beirut, Lebanon
. Conducted communication, advocacy, political strategy consultations for civil society organizations,
political parties, and election candidates in Lebanon, Egypt, and Togo
. § Supervised the deployment and training of domestic and international election observation groups
§ Developed citizen participation and political transparency e-democracy tools
. Chairing the Agency’s board of directors, which includes representatives of the Samir Kassir
Foundation and the France-based non-profit Equal Rights and Independent Media
Executive Director 2011 - Present Samir Kassir Foundation - Beirut, Lebanon
. Supervising a team of 25 full- and part-time staff in Lebanon, Jordan,
Palestine, France, and the US
. Leading the monitoring of freedom of expression violations in Lebanon,
Jordan, Syria, and Palestine
. Led the largest support and relief initiative for media and journalists affected
by the August 4, 2020
. Beirut explosion and the September-November 2024 conflict
. Managing the first safe hosting, shelter, and assistance program for
persecuted journalists in the Middle East and North Africa
. Engaging with diplomatic missions, UN, EU, and US agencies, and public
authorities on issues of human rights, freedom of expression, privacy, digital
rights, online freedom, mis- and disinformation, hate speech, crisis
management, media development policy, election management,
development aid, and countering/preventing violent extremism
. Organizing and moderating international conferences and workshops on
journalism skills, journalists’ rights, media and technology, digital rights, and
cultural policies
. Authoring and overseeing national and regional studies on media content,
media consumption, and citizens’ perception of media messages
. Raised USD 20+ million in grants, sponsorship, and service contracts
in 12 years
. Provided USD 4+ million in grants to independent media organizations in
MENA and media development partner organizations
Chairman, 2022 - Present - Agency for Equality - Lyon, France
. Established the first agency dedicated to channeling advertising funds
to independent media in the MENA region
. Chairing the Agency’s board of directors, which includes representatives
of the Samir Kassir Foundation and the France-based non-profit Equal Rights
and Independent Media
Executive Director, 2016 - 2017 - Global Forum for Media Development - Brussels, Belgium
. Organized the 400-participant 2016 World Media Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia
. Led the secretariat of a network of 180+ media development organizations
across 100 countries
. Facilitated media development coordination meetings for Syria, Yemen,
and the broader MENA region
. Supervised the advocacy for the practical implementation of Sustainable
Development Goal 16.10 pertaining to Access to Information and protection
of fundamental freedoms
. Led advocacy efforts with EU departments and UN agencies to strengthen
support for media development and freedom expression
Lecturer, 2011 - 2016 - Université Saint-Joseph - Beirut, Lebanon
. Taught Policy Development and Communications at the Faculty
of Economics’ Master’s program
Senior Program Officer, 2007 - 2011 - National Democratic Institute - Beirut, Lebanon
. Conducted communication, advocacy, political strategy consultations
for civil society organizations, political parties, and election candidates
in Lebanon, Egypt, and Togo
. Supervised the deployment and training of domestic and international
election observation groups
. Developed citizen participation and political transparency e-democracy tools
. Chairing the Agency’s board of directors, which includes representatives of
the Samir Kassir Foundation and the France-based non-profit Equal Rights and Independent Media
Languages
Arabic, French, and English
Interests
Automotive market and Wine tasting
Memberships
Friends of Europe’s European Young Leaders under 40 – MENA Chapter, Class of 2017
Global Forum for Media Development’s Steering Committee
Internet and Jurisdiction Policy Network’s International Contact Group on Content and Jurisdiction (2019-2022)
Adyan Foundation’s Youth Leaders for Non-Sectarian Politics in Lebanon Advisory Committee
Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections
Friends of Europe’s European Young Leaders under 40 – MENA Chapter, Class of 2017
Global Forum for Media Development’s Steering Committee
Internet and Jurisdiction Policy Network’s International Contact Group on Content and Jurisdiction (2019-2022)
Adyan Foundation’s Youth Leaders for Non-Sectarian Politics in Lebanon Advisory Committee
Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections
Interested in connecting?
Let’s talk projects, collaborations, or anything strategic!
hi@fact.com
Interested in connecting?
Let’s talk projects, collaborations, or anything strategic!
hi@fact.com
Interested in connecting?
Let’s talk projects, collaborations, or anything strategic!
hi@fact.com
