Dear friends and readers.
This year marks the centennial of L'Orient-Le Jour.
Our journey began in July 1924 with the inception of L'Orient, a newspaper founded by Georges Naccache. It was a time when the echoes of the First World War faded, and the boundaries of Greater Lebanon were freshly delineated, placing the nation under the French Mandate.
Aligned with Emile Edde's vision, L'Orient lent its support to the Mandate while vigilantly criticizing its excesses.
A decade later, Michel Chiha, one of the architects of the Lebanese Constitution, acquired the daily Le Jour.
Le Jour, an advocate for President Bechara el-Khoury's Destour Party, shared his fervor for independence.
L'Orient and Le Jour bore witness to Lebanon's history, engaging in political battles, navigating diverse perspectives, and providing platforms for eminent thinkers.
In 1971, economic pressures drove the merger of the two publications, leading to the consolidation of the two French-language newspapers under the banner of L'Orient-Le Jour.
True to the heritage of L'Orient and Le Jour, L'Orient-Le Jour has consistently championed the rule of law and freedom of expression. It has advocated for the rights of young people, women, minorities, and the most marginalized segments of society.
Throughout the years, the publication exposed political shortcomings, warned against the recurring perils of the partition of Palestine, criticized interference from neighboring countries, highlighted the plight of war-induced ghettos, addressed the refugee crisis, tackled ecological challenges, and condemned corruption and poor governance.
Simultaneously, L'Orient-Le Jour has showcased Lebanon as a model for coexistence, celebrating its rich heritage and cultural diversity, praising its zest for life often infused with a carefree spirit, and spotlighting the dynamism of its private sector along with the accomplishments of Lebanese individuals worldwide.
In addition to covering local news, our regional and international coverage tackled sensitive issues in a manner unique to the southern Mediterranean region.
The advancement of digital technology and the launch of the new English-language publication, L'Orient Today, have expanded our reach to an increasingly global audience.
Yet, our journey has been fraught with wars, internal and external pressures, political and financial crises, and countless other challenges that our teams have courageously navigated over the years to fulfill our mission.
We cannot overlook the immense contributions of those who have ensured our longevity, serving as the pride of our past and the guardians of our future, especially in an industry undergoing profound transformation.
Above all, our enduring presence is owed to our readers, advertisers, sponsors, partners, and shareholders whose unwavering support sustains the efforts of our teams.
It is this remarkable community of L'Orient-Le Jour that propels us forward collectively.
“ L’Orient- Le Siècle” (“L'Orient – The Century:”): Under this banner and within a dedicated space, we will commemorate our centennial throughout the year. This celebration will feature exclusive archives, interviews, analyses, and podcasts.
Our teams, supported by esteemed partners from Lebanon and the diaspora, will delve into the rich tapestry of our history, tracing the journey of our newspaper, our nation, and our region. Through this exploration, we aim to draw lessons from the past and chart a course for the future.
From then to now, we persist in our commitment to a plural, free, and sovereign Lebanon!
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This celebration will culminate in a grand festive event, contingent upon security considerations.
Here’s to the next hundred years,
Nayla de Freige
CEO of L’Orient-Le Jour group