Rabia Habbas

I walked the path of media like navigating a minefield, with caution, courage, and faith in the word.

I am Rabia Habbas, a journalist and media activist.

Since childhood, the radio held a special magic for me. I didn’t just listen; I quietly imitated broadcasters and wrote imagined news in my notebooks. Later, I chose a university major far from the media, searching for stability. But dreams don’t die; they wait to be reborn.

I started with People’s Heritage magazine and moved through various media institutions, learning and growing. It wasn’t easy, but it was real. Over time, I held senior positions, not for titles, but because I believed media carries a deeper responsibility and mission.

From that belief, Aswat Media Network was born. Not just a project, but a necessity. We aimed to organize the media landscape in Libya, defend journalists’ rights, provide a dignified environment, and promote freedom of expression. We offered training, launched awareness campaigns, and created spaces for dialogue between media and society, all to foster responsible journalism that serves truth.

Then, my world was shaken by the sudden loss of my father. The pain broke something inside me. I questioned everything. But his voice and smile brought me back to life and restored my certainty.

I gathered my strength and returned stronger. That’s when one of my most important initiatives was born, the Libyan Women Journalists Forum, supported by the Ministry of Women. It brought together women from different cities to build dialogue, collaboration, and a stronger presence for female journalists, proving that women are essential to shaping responsible and conscious media.

Despite the challenges and political divisions, I never lost hope. I always believed the media is the voice of the nation, and that we can protect the truth from distortion.

My message today is that Libya can be a safe homeland if we believe in it and work for it. A free and responsible media is a pillar of peace. The rights of journalists are not a luxury; they are the foundation of a free and informed society.