(Credit: The management committee of L'Oreint Le-Jour Group)
Dear readers,
We have not experienced a moment like this in a long time. Lebanon, at last, is beginning to hope again. A period of several years, even decades, where the country appeared to be mired in a deadly stagnation, seems to be coming to an end. The Lebanese people, across all communities, now look to the future, daring to hope that it will bring the renewal the country has longed for. A moment when they can finally think about themselves, their country, and their future.
2024: an exceptional year
And yet, 2024 was anything but easy:, far from it: economic crisis, daily hardships, paralyzing stagnation, and then the catastrophe that struck the country from September onward, hitting the Lebanese in the south, in Beirut, and across most regions. Some saw their homes destroyed and still cannot return, while others were physically wounded. For everyone, these were extremely difficult times, with an ongoing, pervasive sense of insecurity that loomed everywhere.
We covered these events closely, reporting, and analyzing, and doubling our efforts. Since Oct. 7 2023, we have maintained continuous coverage across L’Orient-Le Jour and L’Orient Today, tracking the war in Gaza, in Syria, as well as events in southern Lebanon, in Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon.
Our goal has been to keep you informed with on-the-ground reporting, firsthand accounts, and in-depth analysis — delivered in various formats, from written articles to video reports, special portfolios, newsletters, and podcasts, accessible via our apps and WhatsApp groups.
Our editorial team and journalists have poured immense, sustained effort into this work — an effort that has been recognized by you, our readers and listeners. This year, more of you than ever have followed, read, and subscribed to our media. And for that, we would like to thank you.
‘L'Orient-Le Siècle’ or 100 years of L’Orient-Le Jour
2024 also marked the centennial of L’Orient-Le Jour, born from the merger of L’Orient, founded in 1924, and Le Jour, established in 1934. It is not every day that a newspaper turns 100, especially in a region as tumultuous as ours.
We take pride in having chronicled Lebanon’s history over the past century, one rich in events that have shaped our country and continue to leave their mark.
To celebrate this milestone, we published a series of special thematic editions throughout 2024, along with a book, “L’Orient-Le Jour, témoin du siècle”, crafted by our teams who delved into our archives to recount these past hundred years in our own way.
We had also planned to mark this centennial with a festival, “Un vent de liberté” (“A Wind of Freedom”), set for September 2024, featuring debates, cultural events, and a concert by trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf. It was meant to be more than just a celebration of our newspaper — it was to be a tribute to the Lebanon we all cherish. Unfortunately, as you know, the outbreak of fighting in Lebanon forced us to postpone the event.
But we believe, now more than ever, that Lebanon will rise again. That is why we are committed to bringing the festival to life in September 2025, still under the name “Un vent de liberté.” We hope it will be an opportunity to come together once more to debate, listen, and, perhaps, to celebrate a Lebanon that is once again rising from the ashes.
Evolution of income
We are rapidly advancing our digital transition
For years, we have been investing in journalism. We have reshaped our newsroom to operate in real-time, allowing us to respond quickly with news, analysis and commentary.
We launched a video service to complement our written content and strengthened our social media presence to engage more effectively with our audience —particularly the youth, who are our readers of today and tomorrow.
Our journalists are mobilized on the ground in southern Lebanon, Syria, and wherever events demand coverage, bringing you firsthand reports as they unfold.
At every step, we strive to provide you with quality journalism. In a world where information is increasingly abundant, only media that offers their readers a unique, relevant, and deeply human perspective will endure.
This effort is paying off: more than 80 percent of our revenue now comes directly from our readers, with 60 percent of them digital subscribers. These numbers stand out not just in the Middle East but even by international standards, and it is only possible thanks to you, our readers.
More importantly, your support is the strongest guarantee of press independence and freedom in a region that needs it more than ever.
Geographic breakdown of L’Orient-Le Jour readers
Geographic breakdown of L’Orient-Le Jour subscribers
L’Orient Today continues to grow
L’Orient Today, the English-language platform of L’Orient-Le Jour, is steadily expanding since its creation in 2020. Just like L’Orient-Le Jour, it provides an independent and credible media outlet to an English-speaking audience, focused on Lebanon and the Middle East, addressing the growing prevalence of fake news and sensationalist headlines.
With a steady increase in its editorial output and readership, L’Orient Today has become a key component of our growth, both within Lebanon and the diaspora. It also continues to strengthen its presence on social media, delivering news in both written and audiovisual formats.
The editorial team of L’Orient Today, fully integrated with that of L’Orient-Le Jour, publishes news in real-time and offers all the analyses and commentary published by our media in French. It serves as a valuable asset and essential resource for the English-speaking Lebanese diaspora, as well as anyone interested in Lebanon and the broader region.
Geographic breakdown of L’Orient Today readers
Geographic breakdown of L’Orient Today subscribers
Our ambitions for 2025
In 2025, we will remain steadfast in our journalistic mission, committed to supporting our readership by closely following events in Lebanon, and the potential renewal that everyone hopes for.
We will continue to monitor the situation in Syria, which has recently experienced significant political upheaval, keeping you well informed about developments in this neighboring country.
We will also continue to cover key events across the Middle East, including the evolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue, as well as the situation in the Gulf and the broader regional changes.
Finally, we will continue to diversify and enrich our editorial offerings, placing a particular emphasis on cultural aspects and dedicating special attention to the diaspora.
The board of directors of the L’Orient-Le Jour / L’Orient Today group:
Nayla de Freige, CEO
Fouad Khoury Helou, Executive Director
Elie Fayad, Editor-in-Chief
Anthony Samrani, Editor-in-Chief
Emilie Sueur, Director of Digital Development
Nicole Karkour, Marketing Director
Ludovic Blecher, Executive Administrator and Advisor
