As a child, Lebanese-born broadcaster Rita El-Mounayer had first-hand experience of war. Both her parents were Christians, but came from different traditions. After her mother died, her father used to distract his family from the violence outside by hooking up a car battery and turning on a black-and-white TV. It fostered a lifelong interest in broadcasting and how powerful it could be.

El-Mounayer began her career studying History and Social Science at the Lebanese University in Beirut later training in communications. In 1996 she became the first presenter to appear on screen for SAT-7 when it launched with a two-hour weekly Arabic broadcast, hosting its debut programme Ears of Wheat which ran for twelve years and became one of the channel's most successful shows.

Later her role expanded to Programming Director for SAT-7's children's programmes when she launched SAT-7 KIDS, becoming the much-loved host of Bedtime Stories with Rita.

SAT-7 is the oldest and largest Christian satellite broadcaster in the Middle East and North Africa. It broadcasts free-to-air across 25 countries in the region and around 50 countries in Europe.

In this episode of The Profile she talks to Premier Christianity magazine journalist AJ Gomez about her childhood living under conflict, the honour she has had in broadcasting and working with children and who Jesus means to her.

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Released on 10 Sep 2026