How Biased Is L'Orient-Le Jour? Political Leaning and Credibility Breakdown
L'Orient-Le Jour Overview and Political Bias
L'Orient-Le Jour is often described as the voice of Lebanon’s liberal Francophone elite, frequently viewed as aligned with the March 14 alliance. Critics suggest it maintains a pro-Western, anti-Hezbollah stance and favors neoliberal economic policies, while supporters praise its commitment to secularism and sovereignty against foreign intervention.
| Standpoint | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Overall political leaning | Center |
| Estimated number of readers | 1,500,000 |
| Israel support | Pro-Palestine / Critical of occupation |
| Use of loaded / emotional language | Low |
| Target Audience | Elite / Intellectual / Francophone |
L'Orient-Le Jour History
Created in 1971 from the merger of L'Orient (founded 1924) and Le Jour (founded 1934), the paper has served as a cornerstone of Lebanese intellectual life. It remained operational throughout the civil war, establishing itself as the premier French-language daily documenting Lebanon’s complex socio-political landscape for decades.
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Who owns L'Orient-Le Jour?
The newspaper is privately owned, with significant stakes historically held by the Eddé family and the Choueiri Group. While it generates revenue through advertising and subscriptions, the outlet has faced financial pressures typical of the Lebanese media market, necessitating reliance on its influential shareholders to maintain its operational independence.