The Ministry of Information in the Syrian Transitional Government announced on Sunday, June 15, that it has completed establishing the necessary conditions for licensing media institutions.
Omar Haj Ahmed, Director of Press Affairs at the Ministry, said in a statement published on the Ministry’s official website that “the general conditions for licensing media institutions have been finalised using a smooth and simplified mechanism.”
He explained that the delay in issuing licenses was due to the absence of a legal and legislative framework governing media institutions, as well as the presence of significant complications that the Ministry worked to overcome, according to a report by the Syrian Al-Ikhbariya channel.
Haj Ahmed added that the Ministry drew on the experience of several countries and media organisations operating outside Syria to help develop the licensing process and establish appropriate regulatory laws.
He noted that the Ministry collaborated with various media institutions to establish general licensing conditions aimed at reducing bureaucracy, complex requirements, and excessive paperwork.
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In early May, the Ministry of Information announced that it had begun facilitating the work of journalists by implementing an electronic permit system.
The Ministry stated it is coordinating with the Ministry of Interior in the Syrian Transitional Government to ease procedures for journalists, as reported by Al-Ikhbariya.
According to the channel, the Ministry will include a barcode on the electronic permits it issues to journalists, enabling security personnel to scan and verify permit details in the field.
The Ministry also confirmed that press cards issued by the Syrian Journalists Union will be shared with the Ministry of Interior.
Earlier, on April 12, the Syrian Journalists Union introduced new requirements for membership for media professionals working in audio, visual, and print institutions.
