Personal details
- Date and place of birth: 20 Jun 1963 – Beirut (Rmeil), Lebanon
Education
- PhD, Information and Communication Sciences, Paris II Panthéon-Assas University
- Master’s degree in Journalism, Lebanese University
- Lebanese Baccalaureate, Saint Famille Française School, Gemayzeh-Fanar (General Sciences)
Career highlights
- Founder and President, May Chidiac Foundation (MCF) and Media Institute (MCF-MI) | 2011 – Present
- Professor of Journalism and Radio/Television, Notre Dame University–Louaize (NDU) | 1997 – Present
- Founder, Academy of Leadership & Applied Communication (ALAC) | certified by Lebanese government (Decree No. 2844/2016)
- Real estate promoter | 1994 – 1998
- Head, Press Division, Lebanese Embassy in Bern | 1989 – 1990
Journalistic career
- Producer and presenter, prime-time political talk show “Bi Kol Joraa” (LBCI) | 2006 – 2009
- Host, political talk show “Nharkom Saiid” | 1998 – 2005
- Journalist, “Free Lebanon” radio | 1991 – 1993
- Editor/Reporter/News Anchor, LBC | 1985 – 2005
- Journalist, “Voice of Lebanon” radio | 1982 – 1985
Notable event
- 2005 attack: Targeted by a car bomb; returned to television after a period of medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Publications
- Le Ciel M’attendra (2007) – awarded “Prix Vérité” (Le Cannet, France)
- La Television Mise à Nu (2014) – awarded “Phoenix Prize” for literature
Decorations
- Medal of “Dame de l’Ordre de Saint Grégoire-le-Grand” (awarded by Pope Francis, 2017; received May 2018)
- “Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur” (decorated by former French President Jacques Chirac, May 2007)
Awards and recognitions
- Vice President and Jury Member, UNESCO Emir Jaber Al-Ahmad Al Sabah Award | 2016 – 2018
- Minerva Anna Maria Mammoliti Human and Civil Rights Award, Presidency of the Italian Republic, Rome | 2017
- Jury Member, “Heart of the Words” Contest, under the patronage of H.R.H. Prince Albert of Monaco | 2017
- Honorary Doctorate, American University of Science and Technology | Jun 2016
- Medal of Honor, Ministry of Information, Lebanon | 2015
- World Press Freedom Hero Award, International Press Institute (IPI), Vienna | 2010
- Member, High Panel for Peace and Dialogue of Cultures, UNESCO (New Avenues for Peace) | 2010
- Honorary Award, presented by H.R.H. Crown Prince Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Kuwait | 2008
- Clarins Award – Woman of the Year, CLARINS Foundation | 2007
- Honored as part of “She Made It”, Museum of Television and Radio (Paley Center), New York | 2007
- Outstanding Media Personality, designated by the United States Secretary of State with the support of President Bill Clinton | 2006
- UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Award | 2006
- Courage in Journalism Award, International Women Media Foundation (IWMF) | 2006
- CRANS Montana Foundation Prize for Freedom of Expression, awarded by H.R.H. Prince Albert of Monaco | 2006
- Freedom of Expression Award, presented by H.R.H. Prince Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai | 2006
- Honorary Award, presented by H.R.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi | 2006
- Annual Journalism Award, Ministry of Information, Cairo, Egypt | 2006
- Freedom of Expression Prize, International Union of Francophone Press (UPF) | 2005
- Journalist of the Year Award, UK International College | 2004
Cultural NGO
- Member, Gemmayzeh Development Association (ADG) | 2003 – Present
