Calls to regulate media discourse in Syria

The media landscape in Syria has been crowded with sectarian and inciting rhetoric since the fall of the Ba'ath regime, dominating the media scene even on official media outlets affiliated with the transitional government in Syria. Some entities have used freedom of opinion and expression as a cover to incite national and sectarian conflicts among Syrians, while specialists point out that there is a significant difference between freedom of opinion and spreading rhetoric that leads to the shedding of Syrian blood.

In this regard, media activist Heba Fateh, a correspondent for Ronahi TV in al-Tabqa Canton, pointed out that Syria is an example of religious, sectarian, and national diversity, and that its geography embraces a unique mix of various factions and components. She indicated that several parties are trying to sabotage this historical model by tearing apart societal cohesion.

Heba explained that several regions in Syria have witnessed conflicts between different components due to media incitement and hate speech propagated by various entities, which has affected national cohesion and coexistence, resulting in losses of lives and property, and generating new conflicts among the Syrian components.

She added that freedom of expression is very necessary to achieve democracy, and that it does not contradict the fundamental principles of democracy, but she emphasized that there is a significant difference between freedom of opinion and expression on one hand, and hate speech and sectarianism on the other. Incitement speeches aim to create conflicts and wars, not to express the will and demands of the people.

Heba Fateh believes that it is necessary to have laws that stop these speeches, and the media should highlight their catastrophic effects, as one of its primary tasks is to reject incitement and sectarianism. Media outlets across the entire Syrian geography bear the responsibility of educating society about the dangers of being drawn into these speeches, with the need to distinguish between freedom of opinion and its use as a pretext to spread discord and incitement.

For his part, journalist Hussein Othman indicated that the Syrian arena has witnessed, since the outbreak of the revolution, a large number of incitement speeches and hate speeches thru virtual communication and political and social platforms, which negatively affected popular cohesion, weakened trust among the Syrian components, and prolonged the duration of conflicts and disputes.

Othman pointed out that a heavy burden falls today on journalists and Syrians in general, as it must be understood that these discourses only produce war, conflict, and displacement. Therefore, they must be confronted with awareness and by educating society to be able to face the challenges.

Hussein Othman emphasized the necessity of encouraging peace speeches that reject division among Syrians and those that promote societal awareness and culture, because those who spread inciting speeches realize that they will negatively impact Syrian society, and their goal is to divide Syrians and distance them from the unified state thru which a democratic Syria for all Syrians can be built.

The journalist and co-chair of the Culture and Enlightenment Council in Raqqa, Hussein Othman, called on media professionals to maintain objectivity and neutrality in the face of all that is plotted against the security and stability of Syrians, and to start from the principle of humanity first. He emphasized that December 8, 2024, should be a starting point toward peace and the rejection of speeches that incite conflicts, so that the media can be part of building a democratic Syria for all Syrians, capable of facing challenges.

For his part, human rights activist Mahmoud Ghabash said: "We notice on social media and some media outlets the prevalence of sectarian and nationalist rhetoric that incites hatred, which will only lead to more tensions and conflicts within Syria."

Ghabash attributed this to the absence of laws regulating media work, emphasizing the necessity of enacting strict and firm laws concerning sectarian discourse, and holding accountable anyone who promotes or assists in spreading it, whether on virtual platforms or media outlets.

He emphasized that accountability alone is not enough; rather, there must be an awareness of brotherhood among the various components and factions of the Syrian people, whether at the level of sect, religion, nationality, or ethnicity.

He pointed out that human rights activists are relied upon to promote a culture of diversity, acceptance of others, and participation in building a nation that has suffered for a long time during the years of the revolution.

And Ghabash warned at the end of his speech that the continuation of these discourses will lead to more conflicts and may generalize sectarianism to a degree that is difficult to stop. Therefore, he emphasized the necessity of enacting strict laws to regulate media discourse and hold accountable anyone who contributes to spreading or broadcasting these destructive discourses.

ANHA