The Faculty of Religious Sciences at Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut (USJ) is reintroducing a university degree in religions and media. The goal is to bring about a change in society by sowing the seeds of a culture of peace, openness to others and responsible dialogue.

"The role of the media is not only to transmit information but also to shape public opinion, giving them significant power of influence in society," explains Marguerite el-Asmar Bou Aoun to This Is Beirut, outlining the reasons for relaunching the university degree in religions and media offered by the Department of Religious Sciences at USJ.

This degree was initiated in 2014 by Father Salim Daccache, the rector of USJ, in collaboration with Betsa Estephano, the then coordinator of studies in the Department of Religious Sciences, and Katia Raya, a research professor with a double master's degree in information and communication, and security of systems and networks. The first cohort graduated in 2018.

"Religion is often used as an instrument to manipulate public opinion in the service of specific propaganda," continues Bou Aoun, the program coordinator since September 2022. Therefore, she believes that "the values that should be communicated by religion, such as love and tolerance, are distorted." This distortion, for example, leads to "confusion between religion, fanaticism and terrorism."

"This is exactly what is happening currently in the context of the war in Gaza, where Palestinians are perceived as terrorist Muslims, and Israelis as Zionist Jews," notes Bou Aoun. Hence, the significance of this university program is to "train media professionals in responsible communication, respecting human rights." This, she argues, contributes to the construction of a culture of peace.

Overcoming current challenges

This is especially crucial in the current context of heightened crisis in Lebanon and the region, as this training helps to strengthen the skills necessary to overcome present challenges.

"The Lebanese society is complex due to its multi-confessional nature," observes Bou Aoun. Moreover, in the Middle Eastern context of conflicts, religion is often used to radicalize differences and root hatred. She regrets that "80% of the world's population claims affiliation to a religion." Therefore, most people are susceptible to manipulation based on the criterion of belief.

As a result, the religious and the political intertwine, creating a blend that distorts the understanding of often complex socio-political situations. To illustrate this shift from religious to political, Bou Aoun cites the example of the Lebanese "za'im" (clan leader) who is revered as a god by his community, associating him with a savior. In the media, this adulation of the za'im translates into "a hateful and radicalized discourse, anchoring in the minds a separatist sectarianism."

Necessary skills

The Religions and Media diploma therefore offers training aiming to provide both scientific knowledge, distant from preconceived ideas about religions, and ethical and technical know-how related to responsible media communication. The ultimate goal is to equip participants with the technical tools to deliver a respectful discourse on religious matters, especially in times of crisis when violence is the easily trodden path.

The list of skills to be developed during the training has recently been revised to meet current needs arising from the explosion of communication network technology.

The training aims to develop four main skills: the professional transmission of religious news through the media, critical analysis of the relationships and issues between media and religions, innovative and strategic problem-solving in communication and responsible journalism in service of human rights.

In the particular context of Lebanese society, where confessional divides are recurrent, problem-solving communication techniques are of crucial importance. The place that this skill occupies in the curriculum is thus reinforced, especially as candidates are required to "recognize the diversity of Lebanese reality and the common values between different religions" and to "identify the strategic role of communication and design an appropriate media policy for religious issues."

Who can enroll?

This degree is intended for anyone interested in media communication, religious themes and influencing public opinion through social networks, radio, or television. Additionally, this training could help members of religious associations improve their communication of religious messages.

Practically, since the launch of the Religions and Media diploma in 2014, those who have turned to this training were primarily journalists working in radio or television, emphasizes Bou Aoun. Graduates also include individuals engaged in religious matters or communication officials in religious communities.

What is interesting to note is the absence of language restrictions. The teachers are all trilingual, using Arabic, French, or English for a better understanding of the courses. Furthermore, candidates are free to present their projects in the language they master the best, as credit validation is based on practical work rather than written exams.