Beiruting News

*A platform created and led by Rudy Hachach, developed in collaboration with Jud Saoud, with the support of Michel El Murr, Chairman of MTV.*

Figures and promises made on air can now be checked before the episode ends. Since the launch of its ninth season on 17 September 2026, « Sar El Wa2et », hosted by Marcel Ghanem on MTV, has used an artificial intelligence platform that helps its team research and prepare episodes, check guests’ statements during the live broadcast and present the findings to viewers alongside their sources.

Rudy Hachach conceived the platform, designed its interface, workflow and the way information appears on screen, established its editorial rules, led its development and contributed to its coding. Jud Saoud worked alongside him on coding and technical development.

The project received the support of Michel El Murr, Chairman of MTV. The broadcaster provided access to the programme’s archive and enabled collaboration with its team to develop a platform suited to the demands of live television.

*What changes for viewers?*

When a guest gives a figure or makes a verifiable statement, the platform helps the programme’s team examine it and consult its sources while the discussion continues. Once the finding has been reviewed and approved, a summary appears on screen explaining whether the statement is true, misleading or false, together with the source and date.

Viewers can follow the discussion and understand the evidence behind the figures and information being presented, without waiting for a fact-check after the programme.

*More than 150 news sources and an archive of 357 episodes*

The platform draws on more than 150 news sources to support research, episode preparation and the checking of guests’ statements during live broadcasts.

It also makes 357 episodes of « Sar El Wa2et », dating back to 2018, searchable down to the precise moment a statement was made. The production team can retrieve what guests said in previous appearances, compare their positions over the years and bring earlier promises and statements into the current discussion.

The platform also helps prepare guest research files for Marcel Ghanem and the editorial team to review, and select and prepare clips for social media, with subtitles in Arabic, English or French.

*« Sar El Wa2et » comes to viewers’ phones too*

Starting with this Thursday’s episode, the programme is launching a page that accompanies viewers on their phones during the live broadcast, free of charge and without downloading an app. They simply scan the code displayed on screen.

Through the page, viewers can vote on the episode’s question, follow fact-check findings, figures and charts with their sources, and revisit and share them after they have appeared on television. They can also watch selected clips from the episode and share them on WhatsApp. Everything delivered to their phones has already aired and been approved by the editorial team.

Marcel Ghanem said: “We cannot make tomorrow’s television with yesterday’s tools. Artificial intelligence is changing how the media works, and we want to be at the heart of that progress. On ‘Sar El Wa2et’, we are using these possibilities to deliver more accurate information and bring viewers closer to the truth.”

Rudy Hachach said: “Every week, viewers hear figures and promises without being able to check them in the moment. I wanted the programme to verify them while the guest is still there, with the source on screen and an editor making the final decision.”

Based on the research they have conducted to date, the platform’s creators believe « Sar El Wa2et » is the first Arab talk show to broadcast AI-assisted fact-checks live during the programme.