Beirut (AFP)

On television or on social networks, politicians and activists in Lebanon tear each other apart and sometimes ruthlessly abuse each other.

If an unprecedented crisis fuels this legendary polarization, users of the Clubhouse audio application are discovering a new approach to the debate.

In a country where politics unleash passions, debating government formation or economic collapse without coming to insults, or even hands, is a little miracle, offered by Clubhouse.

Academics, journalists and activists, in Lebanon or expatriates, meet in audio chat rooms to discuss current topics.

"Clubhouse has helped interlocutors at the ends of the political spectrum to understand their respective points of view," summarizes Paula Naoufal, a 25-year-old Lebanese journalist.

"It's a space to listen to yourself, unlike Twitter and Instagram, which aren't as interactive," she adds.

For the moment, the beta version of the American platform, launched a year ago, is accessible by invitation only.

And only on iOS (Apple), in a country where an iPhone is worth more than ten times the minimum wage.

In the salons devoted to Lebanon, the subjects of conversation do not escape the bitter realities of the country, struck by large-scale impoverishment and a historic depreciation of its currency.

But here, there is no algorithm to bias what the Internet user has access to, unlike other social networks which primarily offer the user content likely to please him.

Clubhouse thus allows a supporter of the anti-system revolt to discuss with a supporter of one of the major parties dominating the political scene, governed by a denominational system.

- "Thirst for connection" -

Clubhouse is "a space where followers of different religions or political affiliations can meet virtually and speak directly", confirms Joe Khawly, Lebanese journalist based in Washington.

"We learn that as Lebanese, we share the same struggles and the same fears," he adds.

The name of the shows, which most of the time bring together a few dozen participants, tells about the daily life of a nation that has a series of tragedies: "Nobody comes to save us" or "Between Hariri and Aoun: for or against", in reference the petty wars between Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri and President Michel Aoun, unable to set up a new government.

“How did the port of Beirut explode?” Suggests another discussion, alluding to the August 4 explosion that left more than 200 dead.

We also sometimes find the disappointed hopes of the October 2019 uprising, against a political class accused of corruption and incompetence.

Or the repeated confinements that have paralyzed the country.

"The app appeared at the right time. Everyone in Lebanon craved connection and conversations," blogger Ali Fawaz said.

Thanks to Clubhouse, he was able to argue with a former minister and a famous journalist and put them on the grill.

Nothing to do with the usually complacent questions of TV interviews, he says.

He particularly appreciates "conversations without filters with public figures", some of which "have never been questioned about their troubled past".

- "Change of perception" -

Clubhouse's popularity is found elsewhere in the Middle East.

The application allows to bypass the censorship of authoritarian regimes, to discuss political reforms and the rights of LGBT + communities.

Syrian activists, in their country or in exiles, use it to talk about the conflict.

Clubhouse is also gaining ground in the rich Gulf countries, young and ultraconnected but with regimes resistant to freedom of expression.

Blocked by China, the application is the subject of an investigation in France on the use of personal data.

Wissam Fakih, a Lebanese expatriate in Washington, admits that Clubhouse "has succeeded in changing its perception" of young people affiliated to the major parties.

Some "are trying to find a way out of the crisis, or are looking for reforms in their own camp", admits this television journalist.

In a salon on government formation, he said he was surprised to see some participants supporting political factions stand out from the official line of their leader: "Everyone seemed to agree that the new government should be made up of technocrats, so as not to fall back into the same trap ".

© 2021 AFP