By Farah Darwish
From the early days of journalism, once considered a “forbidden bread” not to be touched, through the era of repression that silenced its voices, to the birth of an independent press after the revolution, the story remains unfinished. Today, Syrian journalism stands at a crossroads: either it reclaims its role as an honest critical mirror, or it remains captive to the rhythm of power.
Syrian journalism, in its beginnings, was known for its credibility and its commitment to disseminating knowledge and truth. During the 1950s, it reflected a broad intellectual diversity, opening windows for debate and the exchange of ideas without fear.
But this flourishing period was short-lived. With the Baath Party’s rise to power in 1963, journalism entered the tunnel of the single voice. Private newspapers disappeared, leaving the stage to state-owned papers that became little more than mouthpieces for authority. Under Hafez al-Assad, and later his son, restrictions and censorship deepened, stripping journalists of their role and reducing the press to a propaganda machine rather than a mirror of society.
With the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011, the scene changed entirely. From the womb of suffering, an independent journalism was born, relying heavily on citizen reporting, breaking the monopoly of the official narrative despite repression, arrests, and the bombing of press offices.
In this context, +963 conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Bara’a Othman, Secretary of Internal and External Relations of the Syrian Journalists Union, who outlined the Union’s vision for Syrian journalism after the revolution and the challenges it faces.
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The Reality of Syrian Journalism Today
Othman stated: “After liberation from Assad’s rule, Syria witnessed a significant journalistic movement, driven by the growth of digital media and the diversification of information sources compared to previous decades. Yet, journalists still face tremendous challenges, chief among them, security and stability in certain regions, difficulties in accessing information, and economic crises that have undermined the sustainability of media institutions.”
He added: “We place youth empowerment at the core of our priorities. We have organized workshops with media students in Damascus, and others addressing the challenges faced by Syrian women in journalism. We have signed training agreements, including courses in investigative journalism and journalistic ethics. We are preparing for new training sessions in digital media, editing, and photography this coming September.”
Othman also revealed several initiatives, noting that the Union signed cooperation agreements with entities such as the SIRAJ Syrian Investigative Reporting for Accountability Journalism and the French foundation Médias Monde. The Union also seeks to provide legal support and safer working environments for journalists. He commented:
“We believe the future is digital. That is why we are working to develop standards for online journalism, launch independent digital platforms, and explore sustainable funding models.”
Training and International Cooperation
Othman explained that the Union has an annual training strategy that includes specialized journalism, video editing and production techniques, and social media management. It also seeks partnerships with Syrian universities and international institutions to host global trainers. He stated: “We participate in regional and international conferences and publish reports in both Arabic and English to highlight Syrian challenges and experiences.”
He concluded with a message to journalists: “We do not recognize the official date of the Syrian Press Day, as it is tied to Bashar al-Assad. But my message to journalists is this: you are the bearers of the torch of this profession. Invest in yourselves, keep learning, and hold fast to the noble spirit of journalism, embodied in truth, accuracy, and integrity. And to our audience we say: your trust in Syrian journalism is precious. Together we can build a free and responsible media space worthy of the Syria we dreamed of.”
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Journalism as an Act of Resistance
In a separate interview with +963, media researcher Hussein Ibrahim offered a comprehensive reading of the trajectory of Syrian journalism, emphasizing that the revolution was the defining line: it produced genuine journalism that voiced the people’s suffering rather than glorifying the regime’s achievements.
Ibrahim said: “Syrian journalism began as an ambitious knowledge space, but it quickly became an authoritarian tool. From Majma‘ al-Fawa’id in 1851 to the diverse press of the 1950s, and then to the era of nationalization and censorship after 1963, journalism became an extension of power. But the revolution redefined journalism, giving birth to an independent press out of pain.”
He added that the revolution marked a turning point in press history: the relationship with power shifted from subordination to existential struggle, during which journalists paid with their lives for the sake of words. He stressed that today’s press has a chance to be a critical mirror rather than a cosmetic one.
Ibrahim pointed out that Syrian journalism can regain credibility, provided it builds on digital verification, editorial transparency, and financial independence.
He closed with a message to the new generation of journalists: “Build your journalism on skepticism, not blind acceptance; on documentation, not reaction. Use artificial intelligence as a tool for analysis, not as a substitute for thought.”
