From Traditional Media to WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram: Engaging the Lebanese Diaspora during the Israeli War of 2024 on Lebanon
Abstract
The study explores the pivotal role of digital platforms in shaping the Lebanese diaspora’s engagement with homeland issues during the Israeli war of 2024 on Lebanon. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines qualitative and quantitative data, the research investigates how these platforms were utilized for real-time information, emotional support, and political mobilization amid the conflict. The findings reveal that 89% of respondents relied on WhatsApp and 76% on Telegram for immediate news updates, highlighting the centrality of instant messaging tools in crisis communication. Additionally, a substantial trust deficit emerged, with 59.1% of participants expressing scepticism toward traditional media, prompting 72% to engage in active verification practices when consuming news. Digital platforms served as conduits for emotional bonding (82%) and political action but also reproduced religious divisions and facilitated the spread of misinformation. These dynamics reflect both the empowering and polarizing capacities of digital technologies during times of war. The study underscores the adaptive strategies employed by diasporic communities to remain connected and informed while navigating complex media ecosystems. Ultimately, the findings offer critical insights for policymakers, media practitioners, and scholars in transnationalism, diaspora studies, and crisis communication, emphasizing the dual-edged nature of digital engagement in politically volatile contexts.
Keywords: Crisis communication, digital platforms, homeland engagement, Lebanese diaspora, misinformation.
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