| Part of a series on the |
| Culture of Syria |
|---|
 |
| History |
| People |
| Languages |
| Cuisine |
| Religion |
| Art |
| Literature |
| Music |
| Sport |
The mass media in Ba'athist Syria consisted primarily of television, radio, Internet, film and print. The national language of Ba'athist Syria was Arabic but some publications and broadcasts were also disseminated in English and French.[1] While television was the most popular medium in Ba'athist Syria, the Internet became a widely utilized vehicle to disseminate content by 2013. In addition to its control of domestic media, the Ba'athist state also sought to control what Syrians saw by restricting coverage from outside sources.[2] Publications and broadcasts were monitored by members of the government.[1] All mass media outlets were under the supervision of the Ministry of Information. Third article of the 2013 Information Ministry guidelines stipulated that the purpose of all media outlets was "to enlighten public opinion" in line with the ideological doctrines "of the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party and the policy of the state".[3]
Following Ba'ath party's capture of power in 1963, the state immediately banned all news outlets except which advanced party propaganda. Syrians have had no exposure to free media or independent press since then, with there being no space for independent journalism, newspapers, publications, journalists or websites un-affiliated with party organizations. The situation worsened further after 1970, with the Ba'athist dictatorship imposing additional censorship policies that furthered its totalitarian control of the society.[4] State propaganda machine was primarily used to monopolise information access and indoctrinate the Syrian population in Ba'athist ideology.[5]
Ba'athist Syria was one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists and was ranked 2nd worst in the World Press Freedom Index in 2024.[6][7] There were 28 journalists killed in combat in 2012.[8] Between 2011 and 2020, more than 700 civilian journalists have been killed in Syria and an estimated 78% of these killings were perpetarted by Ba'athist forces. More than 400 journalists were arrested or kidnapped in the course of the Syrian civil war. More than a third of independent journalists reporting on the war were forced to flee after Assad regime's capture of territories in Southern and Eastern Syria during 2016-2018.[9][10] During the early years of the Syrian revolution, there was a mass flight of local journalists due to persecution, threats, harassment, torture, executions and kidnappings from Ba'athist and pro-Assad militias. Ba'athist Syria had numerous laws such as "1965 law of protection against the revolution", "2011 media law", "2012 terrorism law", "2021 cybercrime law" which enabled the state to formally indict journalists and give a legal cover to media censorship.[11]
- ^ a b European Neighborhood Journalism Network (n.d.). "Syria-media profile". European Neighborhood Journalism Network. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
- ^ Nick Sturdee (10 February 2013). "BBC documentary examines Syria's state TV channel al Ikhbariya". TheGuardian.com. The Guardian. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
- ^ Sadiki, Larbi; Fares, Obaida (2014). "15: Pro-Regime versus Oppositional Media: During the Revolution, 2011–2013". Routledge Handbook of the Arab Spring: Rethinking Democratization. Routledge. pp. 188, 189. ISBN 978-0-415-52391-2.
- ^ "On World Press Freedom Day: The Annual Report on the Most Notable Violations Against Media Workers in Syria". OCHR: Reliefweb. 3 May 2023. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023.
- ^ "Syria". Reporters Without Borders. 2023. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023.
- ^ "Syria". Reporters Without Borders. 2024. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Syria ranks second to last in RSF's press freedom index". Enab Baladi. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024.
- ^ "Country profile: Syria". BBC News. 30 January 2013.
- ^ "Toll of ten years of civil war on journalists in Syria". Reporters without Borders. 12 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022.
- ^ "707 Citizen Journalists Killed Since March 2011 to Date, 78% by Syrian Regime Forces". 3 May 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022.
The report notes that 707 citizen journalists have been killed since March 2011 to date, 78% of them by Syrian Regime forces.
- ^ "Syria". Reporters Without Borders. 2023. Archived from the original on 8 May 2023.
The regime treats the media as a tool for disseminating Baathist ideology and excludes any form of pluralism, driving many journalists into self-imposed exile...During the initial anti-government protests, the government banned international media outlets and freelancers from entering the country...with the risks of arrest, abduction, torture or murder, Syrian journalists are often forced to flee the country to escape mistreatment or death.