Background & Challenge

An-Nahar is Lebanon’s leading Arabic-language newspaper, renowned for its fearless journalism and commitment to exposing corruption. Its legacy is rooted in courage, a legacy carried on after the assassination of former editor-in-chief Gebran Tueni, who was killed for his unflinching criticism of political interference in the country. In 2018, following parliamentary elections, Lebanon was left paralyzed: politicians stalled the formation of a government for months, while using media channels to spread excuses. The nation stood still. So did its press.

Idea

To reflect the country’s political vacuum, An-Nahar published a completely blank edition. No headlines, no articles, no ads, just empty pages handed to the people. In doing so, the paper transformed silence into protest, inviting every citizen to become an editor, to write their vision for Lebanon’s future, and to remind leaders that the true voice of the nation is its people.

Execution

On the morning of release, kiosks across Lebanon sold out of the blank paper. Citizens began filling in the empty pages at home, in offices, on the streets capturing their hopes, demands, and frustrations. An-Nahar amplified the protest digitally, turning user-generated content into the continuation of the issue online and across social channels. Vox pops, social listening, and coverage of citizens’ messages extended the life of the campaign, while the blank newspaper itself became a living canvas for national discourse.

Results

The Blank Edition sparked a cultural and political milestone:

• Became one of the most awarded campaigns in Middle East history (Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio, Loeries, Epica, AdStars, among others)

• Reignited public debate across Lebanon, with citizens directly voicing their demands to politicians

• Received global media coverage, reinforcing An-Nahar’s reputation as the newspaper of courage

• Cemented the brand as more than a publication — as a platform for civic action and accountability

Impact

What began as silence became the loudest headline Lebanon had ever seen. The Blank Edition transformed An-Nahar from a chronicler of events into a catalyst for change, proving that when politicians are paralyzed, the people can — and will — write the future themselves.