Amir Hakouk | Mohammad Deeb Bazzet | Rakan al-Khadr Syrian media is undergoing a pivotal phase in light of the […]
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Amir Hakouk | Mohammad Deeb Bazzet | Rakan al-Khadr
Syrian media is undergoing a pivotal phase in light of the political transformations that followed the fall of the Assad regime, as the sector attempts to redefine its role after decades during which it was closely tied to political authority and its discourse.
Amid attempts to open up to society, move away from the legacy of authoritarian state media, and strengthen professional coverage, the sector today faces complex challenges that stand in the way of freedom of expression and media responsibility.
In trying to understand the transformations affecting Syrian media at this stage, the discussion goes beyond merely monitoring changes in coverage. It extends to a broader reading of the sector’s reality and the challenges it faces.
In this context, Enab Baladi explores the main features of the current media landscape through three key axes: the state of Syrian media after the fall of the regime, the launch of a code of conduct for the media sector and its role in correcting existing flaws, and an examination of the current journalistic work environment, particularly regarding access to information and the independence of media sector regulation.
Between fragility and an expanding space for expression
Syrian media in a transitional phase
As Syria experiences a transitional period following the fall of the Assad regime, Syrian media is undergoing a transformation as it attempts to move away from representing the authority, repeating its slogans, and adopting its approach.
For decades, Syrian media was associated with an image that diverted it from its true role of conveying information to the public with credibility and objectivity, helping inform society and shape public awareness.
Instead, it became a tool and voice in the hands of the authorities, promoting their ideas and ideologies, justifying their failures, and presenting an unrealistic image of reality by polishing the image of those in power and portraying them as always right.
A media phase filled with challenges, according to its professionals
The current period in Syria has raised questions about the most significant changes affecting media coverage, whether at the level of state-owned or private outlets, more than a year after the fall of the former regime.
Syrian journalist and editor-in-chief of the Syria al-Hadath news network, Mohammad al-Halabi, told Enab Baladi that it is necessary to distinguish between government and private media in terms of coverage, noting that private media now enjoys a wider margin of freedom.
According to al-Halabi, one of the main changes is granting private media greater space and inviting it to participate in covering many events, whereas media coverage in the past was limited to state institutions.
At the same time, he believes government media still falls short of the level needed to reliably convey facts.
Meanwhile, Syrian journalist Mohammad Obeid believes that Syrian media coverage has changed entirely compared with the regime era, noting that it has shifted from a tightly controlled, authority-directed media to one more open to the voice of the street.
Obeid said government media has managed to combine reporting that reflects the voices of citizens and the public while also serving as an official platform for the government.
This is reflected in the direct interactions between reporters and citizens during live broadcasts.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with a number of Syrian journalists, March 4, 2026 (Syrian Presidency)
Facilitations or trust?
Mohammad al-Halabi believes that one of the positive developments in Syrian media during the transitional period has been the facilitation granted to journalists regarding media equipment and the process of securing approvals for certain tools.
For example, permissions to use filming equipment such as drones can now be obtained through the Ministry of Information without the need to refer to security agencies.
Mohammad Obeid added that one of the most notable positive developments in Syrian media coverage is the improvement in citizens’ trust in national media.
He noted that the influence of rumors has declined, and audiences increasingly rely on official statements issued through Syrian media platforms.
Short-term permits and the absence of academic specialists
According to al-Halabi, one of the negative aspects is the absence of long-term permits for media coverage. Current permits are valid for only 15 days and are issued for specific coverage tasks.
He said it is unreasonable for journalists to spend time repeatedly visiting the ministry to obtain new permits, adding that such shortcomings could be addressed.
He also pointed to another issue, the absence of official press cards so far.
Obeid, for his part, said the main drawback in Syrian media today is the shortage of academically specialized staff. He also stressed the need to develop technical and logistical infrastructure and build clear and stable media production lines, noting that the sector currently includes professionals from a wide range of media backgrounds.
Ministry: wider space for expression
The director of press affairs at the Ministry of Information, Omar Haj Ahmad, described the media landscape after the “liberation” as an open transitional phase marked by a wider space for expression and a diversity of platforms.
According to Haj Ahmad, these developments have also led to clear challenges, including varying professional standards, rising misinformation, polarization and hate speech, and weak regulatory structures.
To develop the sector, he said the Ministry of Information has taken several steps under a specific strategy, including:
Professional self-regulation through a code of conduct as a guiding document that is continuously reviewed and updated.
Updating licensing structures, services, and mechanisms for accessing information.
Gradually moving toward a modern legal framework that guarantees rights and defines duties.
A fragile transitional reality
Imad al-Tawashi, vice president of the Syrian Journalists Association, believes that Syrian media after liberation is experiencing a fragile transitional reality, combining genuine opportunities for change and openness with the heavy legacy of the former regime, including security repression and restrictive legislation.
Al-Tawashi explained that the challenges facing Syrian media include the absence of an institutional framework, weak legislative structures guaranteeing freedom of expression, and the persistence of a guardianship mentality over journalistic work rather than regulating it according to independent professional standards.
The most prominent challenge facing Syrian media today is the absence of a clear institutional framework regulating the relationship between the executive authority, media institutions, and professional unions.
Imad al-Tawashi Vice President of the Syrian Journalists Association
Dr. Leen Issa, a professor at the Faculty of Media at Damascus University, told Enab Baladi that Syrian media is currently living through a sensitive transitional phase, oscillating between a long legacy of centralization and censorship and official attempts to reorganize the media environment through new tools.
Issa added that government media still maintains the strongest presence and organization within the media landscape, while private media exists but operates within a relatively controlled space.
The margin of freedom in the Syrian media
Forms of media ownership in Syria have varied over the past decades. The sector moved from a complete state monopoly for many years to allowing the private sector to enter the field at the beginning of the new millennium, when Bashar al-Assad came to power.
However, this opening did not meet expectations. It remained largely superficial, while the substance and core approach continued to follow the same path as state media, promoting the authorities and polishing their image under all circumstances.
In this context, questions arise about the degree of freedom Syrian media has to discuss bold topics and what limits may exist.
According to Omar Haj Ahmad, director of press affairs at the Ministry of Information, the ministry does not impose red lines on the topics discussed by Syrian media.
However, he noted exceptions for discussions involving hate speech, incitement, undermining social cohesion, defamation, or violations of privacy.
The Ministry of Information does not impose red lines on the topics discussed by Syrian media.
Omar Haj Ahmad Director of Press Affairs at the Ministry of Information
President al-Sharaa: media chaos due to the absence of regulations
Freedom of expression in Syria today is broad. At the same time, however, there is a state of media chaos due to the absence of clear regulations. Anyone can speak publicly in the media, sometimes attacking others on sectarian grounds, without accountability, which could affect a highly sensitive security environment.
This situation reflects a thirst for transparency and the practice of freedoms, but it must be accompanied by a clear framework and program.
Haj Ahmad also revealed that the ministry has taken several measures to protect journalists, including maintaining permanent communication platforms to follow up on journalists’ issues and address problems related to their work.
He added that the ministry is developing applications and service platforms that will be launched soon to achieve the highest levels of satisfaction, particularly by facilitating access to information and protecting journalists.
Several challenges affect the quality of media content, including a lack of professional training, insufficient legal protection for journalists, and varying professional standards among media institutions.
Dr. Leen Issa Professor at the Faculty of Media, Damascus University
From the launch ceremony of the professional and ethical code of conduct for Syria’s media sector, February 15, 2026 (Enab Baladi/Ahmad Maslamani)
Media Code of Conduct
Correcting flaws or restricting media freedoms?
Amid the transformation of Syria’s media landscape during the transitional phase, attempts have emerged to reorganize media work and establish professional frameworks to regulate its practices in the new era.
In this context, the launch of the professional and ethical code of conduct for Syria’s media sector was presented as a step aimed at setting standards for media work and steering it toward greater professionalism and responsibility.
The Ministry of Information launched the 2026 professional and ethical code of conduct for Syria’s media sector and presented it as a reference framework intended to regulate media work and reinforce the principles of accuracy and professional responsibility.
The code seeks to regulate media work according to professional and ethical principles that balance freedom of expression with social responsibility, contributing to the protection of the public interest and the strengthening of civil peace.
It also prohibits the publication or promotion of hate speech, incitement to violence, or sectarian or ethnic discrimination, stressing that the role of the media is to promote the values of coexistence and mutual respect among the components of society.
Regulating media content
As the media sector faces challenges and criticism, a key question arises over how this code can help address existing flaws in media practice, and whether it is truly capable of establishing clearer professional and ethical standards that would positively affect media practice and content quality.
Omar Haj Ahmad, director of press affairs at the Syrian Ministry of Information, said the code is the product of extensive collaborative work, drafted by journalists themselves to protect both journalists and their audiences.
The code will later become a core document in the work of the ministry and official media, according to Haj Ahmad, who said it will serve as the regulator and governing framework for state media content before extending to private and independent media.
He attributed this to the fact that it is an ethical and professional standards document aimed at regulating the media sector and guiding its content through self-regulation, without interference, while correcting its flaws and moving toward more professional and more responsible media content.
The code of conduct will serve as the regulator and governing framework for state media content, and from there it will extend to private and independent media.
Omar Haj Ahmad Director of Press Affairs at the Ministry of Information
Limiting professional chaos
Dr. Leen Issa, a university professor and media expert, believes the expected role of the code is to create a unified professional reference that defines standards of accuracy and objectivity, rules for fact-checking, publishing guidelines, and mechanisms for dealing with sources, thereby helping reduce professional chaos within media institutions.
At the same time, Issa pointed to challenges that may face the implementation of the code, including the absence of independent oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance, weak professional training, and the need to update outdated media laws in line with the principles included in the code.
No role for the code if it is not independent
Imad al-Tawashi, vice president of the Syrian Journalists Association, argued that no code of conduct can play a genuine reform role unless it is issued by an independent professional body and implemented through a clear mechanism for receiving complaints and ensuring ethical accountability.
In his view, a code in its proper context is a tool of self-regulation, not an instrument of administrative or legal control. The proper mechanism begins with establishing a press council that includes unions and representatives of the publishers’ association, from which an independent complaints committee would emerge, rather than imposing a text from above.
The ministry, as an executive authority, concerns over restricting freedoms
The code sparked a wave of criticism from a number of media workers and actors in Syria’s media sector, with observations focusing on the method the ministry followed in drafting it.
Critics also expressed concern that it could limit media freedoms, especially since, in their view, the body responsible for implementing it is the Ministry of Information itself as an official authority, raising questions about the independence of its application.
Imad al-Tawashi said the core problem does not lie in the existence of a code of conduct itself, but rather in the body that issued it and the way it is being handled.
In its current form, the code was issued by the Syrian Ministry of Information as an executive authority, with a push to turn it into a licensing requirement, which would move it from the realm of voluntary ethics into a binding text, according to al-Tawashi.
He said this constitutes a clear encroachment on the role of professional unions and “contradicts comparative experiences that entrust the drafting and implementation of codes of honor to independent bodies or press councils.”
The code was issued by the Syrian Ministry of Information as an executive authority, and there is a tendency to move it from the framework of voluntary ethics into a binding text.
Imad al-Tawashi Vice President of the Syrian Journalists Association
The ministry adopted it as an ethical reference
The Ministry of Information did not intervene in the wording of a single word in the code, according to Omar Haj Ahmad, director of press affairs at the Syrian Ministry of Information. He said the journalists themselves drafted it and are witnesses to the original wording, while the ministry merely guaranteed and coordinated the workshops that prepared the code without interference.
He said the ministry adopted the code as an ethical and professional reference for official media, as well as an ethical document for anyone wishing to work in journalism under the ministry’s supervision.
According to Haj Ahmad, the ministry’s role within the drafting committee did not exceed 10%, rejecting claims that it would act as the executive authority for the accountability committee whose future existence was decided by those who participated in drafting the code.
The body responsible for implementing and enforcing the code will be a council to be formed later on with full independence and broad participation, according to Haj Ahmad.
Syrian Journalists Association: government guardianship is invalid
The Syrian Journalists Association rejected the “code of conduct” before its launch by the Syrian Ministry of Information, speaking of the invalidity of government guardianship under the constitutional declaration.
The association said at the time that it had followed with concern the ministry’s announcement of its intention to launch what it called a “professional code of conduct,” adding that it was acting out of its responsibility to protect the gains of union work and safeguard press freedom during the transitional phase.
Syrian Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa holds a meeting with media directors, February 6, 2026 (Ministry of Information)
Beyond the code of conduct
Testing access to information and the independence of media regulation
Although the code was issued as a regulatory step aimed at setting professional standards, deeper questions go beyond the text itself and extend to the environment in which it will be applied. Today’s media landscape suffers not only from shortcomings in performance or uneven professional commitment, but also from structural problems related to mechanisms for access to information, defining responsibilities, and the limits of the relationship between journalists and official bodies.
This raises the question of whether the code alone is capable of addressing these flaws, or whether it requires a broader legislative umbrella that would protect it and transform it from an ethical framework into an enforceable system.
In this context, attention is turning to the possibility of a new media law being issued, one that would redraw the relationship between the media and the executive authority on clearer foundations.
Alongside this, there is debate over which body should regulate the sector: should the task remain within the direct governmental framework, or should Syria consider establishing an independent media regulatory authority that separates regulation from executive power?
Access to information is not ideal
The weak response of some official bodies to media outlets raises an additional issue related to the right of access to information, a right that forms the cornerstone of any responsible journalistic practice. Without a clear institutional commitment to respond to inquiries within defined timeframes, journalists’ professional responsibility remains incomplete, leaving broad room for rumors or incomplete narratives.
Journalist Diala Abdel Karim believes that introducing the media code of conduct was not done adequately, arguing that the focus was placed more on launching the code and discussing its benefits than on explaining its provisions in a simplified and intensive manner.
Abdel Karim told Enab Baladi that it would have been better for the code to be published more widely and in brief, recurring formats, allowing journalists to review its provisions and understand them clearly. She added that what it fundamentally lacks is clear legal accountability mechanisms in the event of violations.
Regarding journalists’ right to access information, Abdel Karim said the situation is “not ideal,” but better compared with what it was in the past.
The main difficulties journalists face sometimes relate to delayed responses from the relevant bodies, which can obstruct their work, especially when report submission deadlines are fixed.
Diala Abdel Karim Syrian journalist
Media offices, between the organization and restricting access
Abdel Karim described relations with media offices in official institutions as generally good, but pointed to a problem in the fact that communication is often limited to these offices alone.
She said journalistic work sometimes requires interviewing officials directly and putting questions to them, arguing that media offices should be limited to organizing and facilitating communication, not replacing direct access to officials altogether.
She stressed that the right of access to information remains the most pressing issue for journalists, as they cannot perform their work without clear and available information.
In Abdel Karim’s view, media offices can help curb the spread of inaccurate information “through rapid responses to controversial issues and by providing official clarifications that offer reliable information and reduce rumors and speculation.”
Information tied to “personal relationships.”
In this context, journalist Mohammad Obeid believes journalists’ ability to obtain information from official bodies has improved compared with previous periods, especially with the existence of media offices and public relations offices in ministries, directorates, and government institutions.
At the same time, he criticized the fact that quick access to some information, especially urgent or sensitive information, is often tied more to personal relationships than to an institutional path.
He attributed this to the newness of media office experience in some institutions, in addition to the fact that a number of those working in them are still relatively new to organized administrative and media work.
He added that on a personal level, and by virtue of his network of relationships with several figures holding media-related positions, he is able to obtain information with relative ease.
Guaranteeing rights is journalists’ top priority
On the priorities that matter to journalists today, Mohammad Obeid said safeguarding journalists’ professional rights comes at the top of the list, along with protecting journalistic work from any restriction or threat and ensuring accountability for any party that abuses journalists.
It is important to regulate media work, especially in light of the spread of unprofessional content on social media platforms.
Mohammad Obeid Syrian journalist
Session to discuss the professional and ethical code of conduct for Syria’s media sector, January 8, 2026 (Enab Baladi/Noor Hamza)
Two paths after the code
Omar Haj Ahmad, director of press affairs at the Syrian Ministry of Information, said that the period following the issuance of the professional code of conduct will focus on two main tracks that were agreed upon during the drafting process under the supervision of the independent national committee.
First track: establishing an ethics committee or council responsible for monitoring media content, receiving complaints, and adjudicating them according to the provisions of the code. The aim is to regulate and correct content when errors occur through non-judicial behavioral procedures.
Second track: working on drafting a modern media law that adopts the professional and ethical standards set by the code of conduct, with the goal of guaranteeing freedom of journalistic work within a framework of professionalism and responsibility.
He added that work will begin “very soon” on amending the current media law in force, noting that the draft law could be among the first pieces of legislation presented to the People’s Assembly during its initial sessions once it convenes.
The proposed plan is based on involving a wide range of journalists and legal experts in drafting the law or preparing its explanatory notes so that, according to Haj Ahmad, it emerges from a bottom-up process with broad participation.
One of the requirements for granting a license is that the media institution must have internal regulations and a professional code of conduct that aligns with the standards adopted by the ministry.
Omar Haj Ahmad Director of Press Affairs at the Ministry of Information
Regarding access to information, he said efforts are currently underway to regulate a mechanism that ensures journalists and media institutions can obtain information easily, with the procedures expected to be announced soon. He also confirmed that measures will be taken against entities that ignore requests or refuse to respond without justification.
Concerns over reproducing control tools
In contrast, Imad al-Tawashi, vice president of the Syrian Journalists Association, believes it is still too early to speak of a tangible improvement in the environment of media freedoms, arguing that the issuance of the code has not translated into additional guarantees for journalists.
He added that the code has raised legitimate concerns about expanding administrative oversight, stressing that real change is not measured by the issuance of texts but by practical practices and by the extent to which journalists feel safe and independent while performing their work.
Regarding what the code still lacks, al-Tawashi explained that two fundamental elements remain absent: full independence from the executive authority and the presence of an elected or broadly agreed professional body that oversees its implementation.
Journalists Association: truly independent bodies, not symbolic ones
Modern legislation, according to al-Tawashi, should be based on a clear separation between regulation and executive oversight. It should also guarantee the administrative and financial independence of unions and media institutions, protect journalists from arrest or prosecution because of their professional work, and adopt the principle of self-regulation and professional accountability instead of punitive sanctions.
The required guarantees include clear constitutional provisions protecting freedom of expression, involving unions and media actors in drafting the law, and establishing genuinely independent bodies rather than merely symbolic ones.
The problem of the separation of powers
Legal expert Bassam al-Ahmad told Enab Baladi that media laws in democratic countries are based on integrated legal and constitutional systems designed to protect the public sphere and freedom of expression.
He added that the objective in those countries is to protect the right to expression and ensure transparency. In countries such as Syria, however, laws may become tools for controlling content and preventing it from deviating from what he described as the “prescribed line.”
Regarding the mechanism for adopting a new media law, al-Ahmad said the primary authority lies with the People’s Assembly, but delays in forming it raise questions about the legislative process.
He pointed to another issue related to the separation of powers, arguing that even if the assembly is formed, it may remain politically linked to the executive authority due to the mechanism by which its members are appointed, either directly by the president or through committees connected to the authorities. This, he said, could affect the independence of the legislative process.
What should the new law include?
According to Bassam al-Ahmad, the fundamental difference that any new media law should introduce is transforming it from a tool of regulation and control into an instrument that protects freedom of expression.
This would require clear provisions related to access to information, protection of broadcasting, and ensuring the right to review public and historical documents.
He also stressed the need for clear laws to combat defamation and slander, alongside legislation guaranteeing access to information. At the same time, he warned that the declared goals of any legislation could differ from its actual objectives if not accompanied by real safeguards.
Al-Ahmad added that strengthening independent media and allowing diverse viewpoints, away from the monopoly of the official narrative, requires pressure from civil society organizations and journalists to prevent legislation from becoming a new cover for reproducing tools of authoritarianism.
He concluded that any genuine legislative reform requires an independent judicial environment and clear mechanisms that ensure accountability in cases of hate speech, without turning the law into a disguised tool of censorship.
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