On May 6, 2025, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) commemorated Martyrs’ Day by honoring the Lebanese media and martyrs of the press, while announcing the winners of the schools’ video competition New Lebanon: Unity Through the Eyes of Youth in a distinguished dinner held at the main campus.
Under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Dr. Paul Morcos, Minister of Information, the event gathered prominent figures in the media, politics and religious fields namely Most Reverend Abbot Edmond Rizk, Superior General of The Maronite Order of The Blessed Virgin Mary; H.E. Bishop Antoine Nabil Al Andary, Head of the Episcopal Commission for media outlets; H.E. Former Minister Dr. Ziyad Baroud; former Ministers of Information Ziad Makary and Georges Cordahi; Dr. Joe Moukarzel, Deputy Member of the French National Assembly, and President of the Trans-Mediterranean Communication Research Network; Rafik Shalala, Director of the Information Office at the Presidential Palace; Jack El Kallassi, General Manager at Télé Lumière and Noursat media network; in addition to journalists who left their mark in the local media scene such as Souad Karout Elachi; and others who are shaping today’s media landscape such as Michelle Tueni, Georges Salibi among dozens of others.
Majed Bou Hadir, Director of the Office of Public Affairs and Protocol at NDU, first greeted the esteemed guests, adding: “We gather tonight in absolute freedom at NDU, with H.E. Dr. Morcos who did not hesitate to support this event in commemoration of the martyrs of the press and on the founding anniversary of the University”. Taking stage next, NDU President Father Bechara Khoury addressed the journalists, confirming his strong belief in their role and the University’s readiness to generate and embrace positive initiatives, such as the schools’ video competition that he launched during the same occasion in 2024, as an initiative that reflects NDU’s dedication to a brighter, more unified Lebanon shaped by the voices of the youth. “The martyrdom of journalists is not a certification that they obtained after a university test, but after a heroic test; honoring them is similar to honoring soldiers who fight for the right or defend a cause”, he stated.
Next, Dr. Morcos genuinely shared his pride in recently representing the Lebanese press in Marseille, where the international audience acknowledged its power and advanced reputation, despite the regression of Lebanon’s media score worldwide due to factors beyond journalists’ control. “I am hopeful that our hard work will give birth to a new and modern media regulation law, which we will announce in next year’s media gala dinner at NDU”, he added. Finally, he confirmed that the collaboration between the Ministry and NDU will bear fruit by the airing of short films produced by NDU students on Télé-Liban, in addition to ensuring many internship opportunities in major media outlets. At the end of the speeches, Father President presented a memorial gift to H.E. Bishop Andari and to H.E. Dr. Morcos, thanking them for their valuable presence and support.
Guests then watched the four finalists’ submissions which beautifully portrayed a unified Lebanon inspired by each student’s uniqueness, in the competition that was organized by the Faculty of Humanities. The winners and their rewards were:
- 1st Prize: Aya Hammoud, Makassed Khaled Bin Al Waleed High School: 100% full scholarship
- 2nd Prize: Tracy Nassif, Broumana High School: 75% scholarship
- 3rd Prize: Lynn Naim, Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour : 50% scholarship
- 4th Prize: Marina Mikhael, Collège des Sœurs du Rosaire, Cornet El Hamra: 25% scholarship
Students will be able to benefit from these scholarships at the campus and faculty of their choice upon graduation.
As journalists’ first instinct is to communicate, guests couldn’t help interacting with each other across the 25 tables, discussing current issues, saluting each other’s efforts and sharing concerns with the present politicians. As they savored a fancy dinner, the NDU Music Club entertained them with their award-winning talents.
NDU’s annual media gala dinner constitutes a much-awaited occasion to honor, celebrate and give hope. Despite the challenges faced by the Lebanese press due to wars or the lack of regulations, NDU strives to raise professional and ethical future journalists whose sole mission is national unity.