A slickly produced video recently went viral in Lebanon, purporting to expose a shadowy figure at the heart of alleged black market networks. But instead of offering solid evidence, the video—titled The God Father—may have exposed something deeper: the unchecked spread of misinformation in Lebanon’s fragile media landscape.
Posted on the fringe Facebook page Weneye El Dawle (“Where Is the State?”), the video accused Lebanese citizen Mohammad Adel Al-Mekdad of a range of crimes, from money laundering to collaboration with foreign—allegedly Israeli—companies. Yet a closer look reveals troubling gaps: recycled footage, unverified claims, and a narrative seemingly built for clicks rather than truth.
Recycled Footage, Missing Evidence
Among the most shocking visuals in the video are images of men tied to poles in public squares—a supposed punishment for unpaid debts. But fact-checkers and social media users quickly identified these clips as older footage from unrelated incidents, shared widely during past episodes of civil unrest.
Other accusations—such as links to an Israeli-backed gaming company—lack any digital or documentary proof. The company in question, Evolution Gaming, is based in Europe and operates under EU regulation, with no verified ties to Israel.
In Lebanon’s sensitive political climate, where accusations of Israeli collaboration carry immense legal and social consequences, such unsupported claims are not only irresponsible—they can be dangerous.
Backlash Highlights Rising Digital Literacy
Rather than inflaming public opinion, the video triggered an unexpected backlash. Many viewers took to social media to deconstruct its flaws, highlighting inaccuracies and questioning the motives of Weneye El Dawle. This wave of user-led fact-checking reflects a positive trend: a growing digital literacy in Lebanon’s online communities.
Yet the case also underscores a darker reality: in a country facing institutional collapse and a vacuum in trusted news sources, misleading digital content can still reach wide audiences and shape narratives before facts catch up.
Lebanon’s Looming Media Crisis
Since the 2019 financial collapse and the 2020 Beirut port explosion, Lebanon’s traditional media outlets have weakened dramatically, opening the door for anonymous pages and viral videos to fill the void. In this chaotic environment, political actors and rival factions increasingly use digital platforms to launch smear campaigns with little fear of legal or regulatory consequences.
“The danger is that these videos become a form of ‘trial by media,’ without standards of evidence or accountability,” says media ethics researcher Rami Khoury. “This undermines both journalism and public trust.”
Silence from Authorities
Equally concerning is the institutional silence surrounding such viral content. To date, Lebanon’s Ministry of Information and judicial authorities have not commented on The God Father video, despite its widespread circulation and potential legal implications.
Without official oversight or clear media standards, disinformation can spread unchecked—fueling polarization and deepening public cynicism.
A Cautionary Tale
Whether or not the allegations against Al-Mekdad have merit, The God Father video represents a troubling trend in Lebanon’s information ecosystem: the weaponization of digital media in the absence of editorial standards or accountability.
As Lebanon navigates one of the most volatile periods in its modern history, rebuilding trust in information—and ensuring justice is pursued through proper channels, not viral videos—must become a national priority.
