Internship on Media Monitoring and Fact Checking

In light of the upcoming Parliamentary Elections of 15 May 2022, LTA plans to monitor the electoral process. 

LTA’s focus on elections will be centered on monitoring and advocacy, in an attempt to minimize the risks of the current ambiguous atmosphere on the integrity of the process.

Capitalizing on its previous and ongoing work conducting research, producing knowledge and undertaking evidence-based advocacy on matters of transparency in elections, campaign financing and vote-buying, LTA will be establishing a multifold Electoral Monitoring Plan (EMP) in place, aiming to achieve the following objectives:

To enhance campaign finance through social media monitoring of electoral candidates’ campaigns and the SCE reports as well as through advocacy based on the application of a campaign finance index;

To advocate for transparency in elections by promoting evidence from the application of a four- pillar transparency index measuring proactive disclosure, responsiveness to request for access to information, transparency of elections procurement processes as well as statistics on violations of candidates and media channels and on transparency in elections;

To detect and advocate against vote-buying through LALAC outreach activities on social media and with political parties.

In this regard, LTA’s Program and Media and Communications teams will mobilize their capacities within a media monitoring and fact checking unit that will support the monitoring of elections transparency and campaign finance. Findings generated from the unit will complement LTA’s research and advocacy efforts in order to provide evidence-based advocacy material serving to increase the accountability in the management process of the elections.

For this purpose, LTA seeks to recruit 3 interns to work with its executive team within its media monitoring and fact checking unit to monitor traditional and social media platforms, analyze data and generate regular reports regarding elections transparency and campaign finance monitoring.

Specific Tasks 

Training Participation:

LTA interns will complete three sets of training to equip them with the following set of skills:

1-  Social/media monitoring and fact checking;

2-  Monitoring of political ads;

3-  Facebook content transparency, accuracy and moderation.

On-the-job coaching and mentoring will remain available throughout the period of the internship in order to ensure quality of the deliverables.

Media Monitoring:

Based on the skills they have and will acquire, LTA inters will conduct media monitoring and fact checking on specific issues and topics selected aiming at monitoring campaign finance and transparency of the elections. The interns will consolidate a news database and conduct analysis of the findings in order to generate content for LTA’s weekly and monthly reporting throughout the electoral process.

Reporting:

LTA interns will be expected to generate daily briefs, as well as weekly and monthly reports. The reports will be coordinated with and validated by LTA’s Election Project Lead and Experts before generation of advocacy content meant to be posted and promote on LTA’s social media platforms (including factsheets, infographics, and other visuals).

Working Relationships 

LTA interns will closely coordinate with the Elections Monitoring Project team including Project lead and designated experts. They will also coordinate with colleagues from the Media and Communications Unit in order to ensure timely and accurate flow of information on LTA’s social media platforms.

Minimum Qualifications & Other Requirements

Education:

University degree in media and communications, research, social science, political science, law, or related discipline.

Experience:

- Experience in researching, data collection, data entry and analysis;

- Minimum knowledge about the Lebanese Electoral Law;

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and reporting skills in both Arabic and English communication skills are required (French is a plus).

Skills:

- Advanced working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Power Point, Excel, Visio, Publisher, and Teams);

- Proven track record in conducting desk-based research, and producing research papers and reports

- At least one year of related research and media and/or social media monitoring experience is preferred;

- Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;

- Ability to complete tasks on time;

- A keen eye for organization and details;

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills required

- Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently, coordinate, and plan with relevant team members

Values and Ethics:

- The candidate should have high level of integrity, accountability, and punctuality and be willing to work with great flexibility                       

- He/she should also demonstrate and be exemplary in portraying LTA values and ethics.

- He/she should demonstrate impartiality and waiver of political affiliations.

Non-resident tax 7.5% will be applied As per Articles 41 and 42 of the Lebanese Income Tax Law, non-residents whether persons or entities with no registered place of business in Lebanon and who earn business income in Lebanon are taxed on a deemed profit of the income received from Lebanon.