Pierre El Daher

Pierre Youssef El Daher (Arabic: بيار يوسف الضاهر) (born October 4, 1957) is a Lebanese businessman who has been the chairman and CEO of the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International, one of Lebanon's and the Arab World's most popular television channels, since 1992. Until December 2011, he has also been the chairman and CEO of PAC Ltd., one of Lebanon's and the Arab World's most successful production companies.^[1]

Business life

Pierre El Daher has helped build the Arab TV industry from its fledgling beginnings almost 30 years ago to the large and growing sector it is today. Pierre El Daher’s vision was born in the early 1980s when he pioneered the concept for the first private Lebanese TV station, which he hoped would bring entertainment and information to people around Lebanon and eventually the Arab World. It was under this vision that the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation was launched in 1985 setting the standards for professionalism in the Lebanese TV industry. Pierre El Daher’s vision, however, did not stop with the Lebanese market and LBCI soon rose to become a regional and international broadcasting powerhouse, beaming its programming into homes across the region, European Union, United States, Canada, Americas and Australia as part of its satellite station LBC SAT. ^[2] As LBCI continued to grow, El Daher expanded the station’s team to become one of the most talented groups of producers, presenters, reporters and creatives in the region, joining together with partners such as Al-Hayat and Rotana to offer the most-watched programming in the Arab world. El Daher also launched in 2007 production house PAC ltd, which was created to become an in-house production laboratory, and remained chairman and CEO until 2011.By the end of 2008, it was decided to increase the capital by a large margin. Accordingly, Al Walid Ben Talal became the largest shareholder as he won the absolute majority in PAC and LBC SAT provided that the increase in capital would be invested to improve the programs network and upgrade productivity.In 2010, Rupert Murdoch joined the group and thus PAC and LBC SAT; however, the cooperation did not improve and develop the group. PAC was liquidated in 2012.^[3]

Today, as chairman of LBCI, El Daher continues to bring Arab audiences the best in Television, while also dedicating his efforts to research in the media field and to media education for Arab students.^[4] El Daher made it to the list of Top 100 Most Powerful Arabs 2007 by Arabian Business.^{[5] [6]} As CEO of LBCI and media executive, El Daher's wide range of activities include: Global Media AIDS Initiative at the UN headquarters,^[7] Raising awareness and fighting AIDS,^[8] Rebuilding with Harris Corp. Iraq's media network, a project approved by the US administration in 2004,^[9] Cooperating with UNICEF to highlight the children's voices via a series launched on LBCI named Sawtna,^[10] Advising schools on matters related to on matters relevant to the Communication and Information Studies program.^{[11] [12]} Sheikh Pierre El Daher also launched “Cheyef 7alak” initiative, a civic movement with an ultimate goal of raising civil an social awareness, that is based on citizen journalism. It gives Lebanese citizen the power to report irresponsible and dangerous behaviors for a better Lebanon.^[13][14]

LBC ownership battle

The Lebanese Forces, a militia during the Lebanese civil war and now a political party headed by Samir Geagea who was released from prison in 2005 following an amnesty law, initiated proceedings in Lebanon claiming ownership of LBCI and alleging criminal violations by Mr. El Daher. The Court of Appeal rejected these claims but the Court of Cassation - Criminal Chamber decided to refer the case to the Sole Criminal Judge in Beirut.^[15]

The Sole Criminal Judge in Beirut will in due course examine the case as a trial judge and will decide on the substance. His decisions are subject to appeal before the Beirut Court and cassation before the competent court.^[16]

Personal life

El Daher was born into a Christian Maronite family. Pierre El Daher holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Southern California and resides in Beirut with his wife and three children.

References

External links

• LBCI Official site
• Pierre El Daher biography
• Pierre El Daher business life
• Cheyef 7alak campaign