Menassat - the Beirut-based independent news source and media watchdog which closed this week

The Beirut-based news outfit Menassat has closed after its Dutch backers Free Voice withdrew funding support.

The closure brings to an end two years of quality journalism at Menassat which built a reputation for monitoring and investigating Arab media news.

In a statement posted on its website, Menassat’s staff said they were given less than 24 hours notice of the closure.

‘Our reporters were given no notice of this impending closure,’ the statement read.

‘For this, we are deeply sorry. We hope to work with you again soon.’

On Friday a visit to the news outfit’s website  produced only a holding page stating in English and Arabic: ‘Menassat is currently under maintenance. We should be back shortly.’

In a press release, media development organization Free Voice said: ‘ There are no reasons for Free Voice to terminate its efforts with regard to content.

‘We highly value the dedication and work of the editorial team and they have furthermore always enjoyed full editorial freedom.’

‘The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided – through Free Voice – the initial funding until August 1st 2008.

‘It was agreed upon that efforts would made from Beirut to be financially independent after this date.

‘Because this had not been successful, Free Voice has decided to provide, from its own means, additional funds for a number of times under the agreement that additional funds would be actively sought for from Beirut.

‘Sadly, Free Voice has to acknowledge that these have not been secured and Free Voice is now forced to terminate its support, in line with these agreements.’

Despite staff perceptions of a rapid demise, funding concerns existed at Menassat for some months.

In May, staff staged a protest at the delayed payment of their salaries.

Reporters also spoke of working on a ’shoestring’ budget.

When Free Voice responded to staff demands, they in turn requested the outfit take steps to improve its editorial output over a three month period, according to Layal Haddad writing in the Lebanese Al-Akhbar.

Managing director Lina Sahab achieved strong progress with more varied editorial content and up to 4,000 hits per day.

But these successes were not enough to secure the financial future of a promising alternative media source.

The closure has already sparked conspiracy theories, but reporters were more frank.

One reporter, Rita Barotta, wrote: ”The question that haunts my conscience today is: Why do the Lebanese always believe that the solutions to their problems must come from abroad?’

‘Why assume that the basic requirement to launch a unique media platform is the presence of an external financier to support it?’