Lebanese media icon Giselle Khoury dies at 62

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LEBANON Oct 15, (Agencies): Renowned Lebanese journalist Giselle Khoury passed away on a Sunday at her residence in Beirut at the age of 62, concluding a distinguished career in journalism that featured interactions with influential decision-makers and officials throughout the Arab world.

Giselle embarked on her media journey in 1986 at the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation. During her tenure, from 1992 to 2001, she hosted a range of Arab and global political and cultural figures on her talk show, “Hiwar Al Umr.”

In 2002, she transitioned to the MBC Group, where she played a crucial role in the establishment of Al Arabiya channel. For a decade, from 2003 to 2013, Giselle anchored a weekly political talk show. Subsequently, she joined BBC Arabic, where her show, “Al Mashhad,” provided a platform for engaging with politicians and intellectuals from around the world. Notable guests on her show included figures like Jacques Chirac, Abdallah Ghoul, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and others.

In the realm of production, Giselle was a co-founder of Al Rawi Productions in 2009. The production company commenced its journey with a four-part autobiography of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Giselle received accolades from prestigious sources throughout her career. In 2005, The New York Times recognized her as one of the top eight female journalists globally in TV news and political programs. She was also honored by French Presidents Emmanuel Macron and François Hollande for her commitment to freedom of expression and was awarded the Order of Arts and Letters.

Giselle had a profound impact on journalism and served as the chair of the Samir Kassir Foundation, which she established in 2006 in honor of her late journalist husband. The foundation’s mission was to promote democratic culture and free expression in Lebanon and the broader Arab world.

In her later career, Giselle joined Sky News Arabia in 2020, where she introduced new content under the banner “With Giselle” across various platforms. This endeavor allowed her to reach audiences throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

The entire media community, including Sky News Arabia, mourned Giselle’s passing, remembering her remarkable journey that began at the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation and culminated at Sky News Arabia. Her show, “With Giselle,” continued to host eminent figures from the Arab world.

Giselle Khoury, a graduate in audiovisual media from Lebanese University and a diploma holder in the history of ancient civilizations from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, leaves behind a legacy of fearless journalism and an unwavering commitment to seeking the truth. Throughout her career, she engaged with and challenged the power corridors, leaving an indelible mark on the world of journalism.

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