New Study Reveals Shift in Lebanese Media Uses During the 2026 War and Highlights Political Attitudes and Polarization
Beirut, Lebanon – June 1, 20206 — A new nationally representative study examines media uses and political attitudes during the 2026 Israeli war on Lebanon and reveals a historic transformation in how audiences consume wartime information, alongside significant political divisions across age, religion and income levels. Conducted by the director of the Institute of Media Research and Training at Lebanese American University Professor Jad Melki and his team, through a nationwide survey of 1,000 participants, the study investigates the media platforms and news sources audiences prioritize and trust during war and explores how media uses intersect with political attitudes. The findings indicate a major turning point in Lebanon’s media landscape: for the first time, television lost its position as the dominant source of wartime news to social media platforms, especially WhatsApp.
Mobile phones, WhatsApp, and social media overtake Television: The study found that mobile phones and social media have become central sources of war information while television retreated and radio almost disappeared.
- 73% of audiences accessed war news through mobiles, 63% through television screens, and 2% through radio sets.
- WhatsApp emerged as the leading news platform, with 59% relying on it for war-related information. Other social media platforms followed at 41%, while television news ranked third at 38%, and radio news barely registered 1%.
Heavy news consumption but limited public expression: While audiences closely followed the war news, most remained passive consumers. The majority (50%) followed the war news continuously or very closely, but 82% never posted or shared war news on social media. Among those who did, 53% used WhatsApp, 22% used Facebook, 14% used Instagram, 7% used TikTok.
A strong generational divide in media habits: Younger audiences relied more on WhatsApp and social media for news, while older generations continued to depend on television. Younger audiences were also more likely to post war-related content online.
Shared perception of Israel as the enemy amid broader political divisions: Despite major political differences across Lebanon, the study found broad agreement regarding Israel: 87% agreed that Israel is their enemy, 51% viewed the United States as their enemy, and 38% viewed Iran as their enemy. Political attitudes regarding the conflict diverged:
- 54% agreed diplomacy is the only path to liberation, while 35% supported armed resistance as the only path.
- 51% agreed that Israel should be destroyed, while 34% supported signing a peace agreement with Israel.
- 47% believed liberating Palestine is their duty, while 39% believed liberating Palestine is not their responsibility.
Attitudes differed across religions, but strong opposition to Israel remained consistent across communities: Shia and Sunni respondents expressed the highest levels of hostility toward Israel, while Christians showed only slightly lower levels. Views of enmity toward the USA also remained relatively high across religions but were slightly weaker among Christians. Attitudes toward Iran varied more sharply, with Shia expressing the lowest hostility and Sunni and Christian respondents expressing higher levels.Shia were more likely to support armed resistance and less likely to view diplomacy as the only path to liberation. Sunnis and Christians tended to favor diplomacy, while Sunnis and Shia were more likely to oppose a peace agreement with Israel and support destroying Israel. On the question of Palestine, Sunnis were more likely to see Palestinian liberation as their duty, Christians were more likely to disagree with such responsibility, while Shia reflected more mixed positions.
Income and age shape political attitudes: Economic and generational differences emerged as major factors influencing political views. Higher-income respondents favored diplomacy and a peace agreement, while lower- and middle-income groups were more likely to support armed resistance, and stronger anti-Israel pro-Palestine positions. Similarly, younger respondents expressed stronger hostility toward the USA, more positive views of Iran, and greater support for armed resistance and Palestinian liberation, while older respondents were more likely to support diplomacy and a peace agreement.
Implications: Media uses in Lebanon mirror and reinforce political polarization and division in society. The shift from centralized television news to dispersed mobile and social media news will significantly contribute to reshaping conflict narratives. This is a double-edged sword. A media landscape that facilitates polarization and division also threatens social cohesion and works against national interests, especially during war. On the other hand, the new media landscape potentially empowers a new generation with innovative solutions, inclusive identities and critical world views, especially if this generation can breach sectarian divisions. The study recommends further research that analyzes social media news content, especially the many WhatsApp news channels that have mushroomed throughout the region since 2023, to better understand broader social and political dynamics in Lebanon and the region. It also recommends locally grounded media literacy interventions for youth to help empower their critical consumption and production abilities and help overcome tribalism in the form of sectarianism.
Media Contact: Dr. Jad Melki, Institute of Media Research and Training, Lebanese American University.
Email: jmelki@lau.edu.lb   Â