Social Media Campaigns Against Hate

The Samir Kassir Foundation (SKF) invites Lebanon-based civil society organizations (CSOs) and independent digital media outlets to submit proposals for developing and implementing multi-layered social media campaigns that demonstrate the struggle and the challenges of marginalized communities in Lebanon, and the impact of organized hate campaigns and stereotyping on their livelihood and well-being.

Background: SKF is a non-governmental organization that works to defend media freedom, cultural diversity, and democratic values in Lebanon and the Arab world. SKF has been increasingly active in combatting hate speech and disinformation, which are being weaponized to promote fear, complacency, and reactionary political agendas. Marginalized groups in Lebanon are the most affected by hateful narratives. SKF launched a two-year monitoring program in 2021 to identify targets and perpetrators of hate speech in the media landscape and published the results in a comprehensive report in March 2023. The findings from the monitoring indicate that hate speech is an organized endeavor rather than an individual’s reaction to a situation or a people. There are engines that drive the propagation and expansion of hate and disinformation that target a certain character, group, or institution.

Objective: The objective of this call for proposals is to support CSOs and independent digital media outlets in Lebanon to conduct social media campaigns that address the struggles, challenges, misconceptions of one or more of the following marginalized groups:

• LGBTQ community
• Refugees
• People with disabilities
• Women
• Migrant workers

Each campaign should utilize existing research and evidence to expose and discredit the narratives that discriminate against marginalized groups and subject them to hate campaigns, ultimately for political goals. Applying organizations and media outlets must approach the topic using an innovative strategy that builds on lessons learned from previous experience and from existing research, and accordingly establish a narrative that would resonate with different audiences and influence public opinion. Conducting investigative journalism and research can be part of the groundwork and is an eligible expense; this however must be used to launch a comprehensive social media campaign and cannot alone be the outcome of the outlet’s work.

Eligibility: To be eligible for this call, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a digital media outlet registered in Lebanon, with a clear editorial policy and a commitment to ethical standards, or a registered civil society organization with a commitment to human rights and social equality
• Have a proven track record of producing quality and independent journalism or impactful and strategic programming with a focus on social and political issues
• Have a strong online presence and outreach, with a website, social media platforms, and a loyal and engaged audience

Consortia of CSOs and/or CSOs and media outlets, which satisfy the above criteria, are also eligible

Eligible proposals must demonstrate a clear vision and strategy for creating and launching a social media campaign that can effectively respond to the misconceptions and organized hate speech that impact marginalized groups in Lebanon.

Funding: SKF will provide grants of up to $17,500 to selected applicants. The grants will be disbursed in two installments: 50% upon submission of the action plan and 50% upon submission of the campaign report.

Project Duration: The project duration is 3 months.

Program Start Date: February 1, 2024.