Lebanese media and the dilemma of paywalls

Abstract

The dilemma of paywalls* is a worldwide debate. In fact, implementing a paywall can make the website and hence the media very prosperous. But also implementing a paywall could affect the way and the means that connect you to your audience. Therefore, once putting in a gateway, management and decision makers should make sure they absolutely trust the impact the paywall will have on their operations, as the stakes at play are even more dangerous than they might realize. Experts advise that there are three conditions that a media institution must meet before adding a paywall. Lebanon’s media has its own specificity in this regard, and we herein describe the obstacles to the success of any paywall on media institutions in Lebanon.