The Department of Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) at the University of Balamand held the second lecture in its ongoing series “Beyond the Mic: Shifting Sands of 21st Century Politics” on April 24, 2025.

According to the World Economic Forum 2025 Global Risks Report, both misinformation and disinformation “remain top short-term risks for the second consecutive year, and may fuel instability and undermine trust in governance, complicating the urgent need for cooperation to address shared crises.” (WEF 2025)

The concept event, Beyond the Mic, in its first edition, focuses on the sources of political and socio-economic instability. It aims to raise student awareness of these challenges that are affecting fundamental principles of political practice.

This session, titled “Disinformation in the Media in Times of Crisis: Myth or Reality?”, featured renowned journalist and co-founder of Daraj Media, Diana Moukalled, as guest speaker. Drawing on her extensive experience, Ms. Moukalled discussed how disinformation, particularly on social media, can threaten social harmony and increase polarization, both regionally and globally. “Critical thinking is essential in the process of consuming and sharing information,” she said, urging the audience to always verify sources and resist the spread of misleading narratives.

Organized by Dr. Noura Assaf, the lecture is part of a three-part series aimed at addressing current global challenges and encouraging students to engage with them critically. Dr. Assaf emphasized: “The revolution in the ICT industry including the increasing reliance on Artificial Intelligence (and its infiltration in academia) requires an upfront approach to tackle political and socio-economic challenges: Adaptability, as it can mitigate sources of instability. In the context of misinformation and disinformation, both can conspire to fuel a crisis and further exacerbate existing polarisation.”

The event highlighted the University of Balamand’s continued commitment to preparing students for a complex and fast-changing media and political landscape.









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