A ceremony was held at Baabda Palace on Sunday morning to honor journalist, writer and correspondent Hoda Chedid, who has served for over 30 years in the media, including as a correspondent at the palace, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The event was attended by Hoda's family, former Minister Mohammad Khalifa, her medical team and prominent figures from the media industry, such as the President of Lebanese Broadcasting Channel (LBCI), Pierre Daher, and his family, as well as media personalities from Al-Liwaa newspaper, The Daily Star, Reuters and L'Orient Le Jour.

President Joseph Aoun addressed Chedid by saying: “You have maintained your objectivity and patriotism in your journalistic message, and no honor can surpass the test of your suffering with the patience of the faithful."

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“You entered the homes and hearts of the Lebanese with your high professionalism and remarkable presence, both on screen and in the media. Most importantly, you maintained your objectivity and deep patriotism in your work, always faithful to your media mission. I say 'mission' with full conviction because the media is a sacred profession, dedicated to conveying the truth and embracing the reality and hopes of the people,” Aoun said.

Rafik Sheila, Head of the Media Office at the Presidency, delivered a speech, stating, “This is a tribute to Hoda Shadeed’s career, filled with lessons, inspiration and resilience. Hoda has faced various difficulties from a young age and has never backed down. She has always chosen sacrifice, patience, and optimism.”

Chedid thanks President and First Lady for their '30 year support'

Chedid thanked her colleagues who have supported her throughout her career, “especially at Baabda Palace, where I have been present as a correspondent for five presidencies. We are accustomed in Lebanon to honoring people after their passing, so I thank you for honoring me while I am still alive, especially as this comes at the beginning of your term, Mr. President."

Chedid further expressed her gratitude to the President, First Lady Neemat Aoun and others who have supported her throughout her 30-year journey in the media, and spoke fondly of the many colleagues and mentors who guided her, including Rafik Shalala, whom she referred to as a teacher and guardian, and Michel Helou, who helped preserve the legacy of L'Orient Le Jour. She also expressed special thanks to the LBCI, where she spent much of her career.

She concluded by thanking her family, doctors, and the many friends and colleagues who have been by her side throughout her battle with illness.

Chedid battled with breast cancer for the first time in 2014, and after several rounds of chemotherapy announced that she was cancer free.

Since mid-2024 Chedid has once again begun battling cancer after she relapsed.