Journalists warn against hate speech in Syrian media

As inciting media discourse continues to escalate and play a growing role in fueling societal divisions in Syria, warnings are increasing about the dangers of exploiting media in political and military conflicts. Such practices have direct negative repercussions on civil peace and the course of the transitional phase, amid calls for commitment to professional journalistic ethics and the adoption of responsible discourse that helps protect the social fabric and prevents sliding into further violence and fighting.

In this context, journalist Raman Issa said: “Gulf media and their continuous support for the interim government’s position mean that there are indeed some media outlets that place themselves in the position of a Ministry of Information in Damascus, addressing Arab and international audiences in the voice of the interim government, unfortunately. This negatively affects the reality of the Syrian people and Syria in general, and the truth of the transitional phase, which has become closer to a retaliatory phase.”

He added: “This media plays a negative role alongside the media of the interim government, which requires reducing the intensity of media rhetoric and not contributing to the fracturing of unity and the creation of strife among Syria’s components through familiar media channels.”

He continued: “Unfortunately, the supportive Arab media and the official media in Damascus are launching systematic media campaigns, along with intense mobilization and incitement by journalists affiliated with these outlets. If this approach continues, Syria will face a truly dangerous map.”

Issa stressed that “at this moment, media that covers the phase in a manner contrary to professional journalistic ethics is contributing to the shedding of Syrian blood. A few days ago, a massacre occurred in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood, and the media played a negative role, even becoming part of this crime.”

Incitement Through Organized Rooms

For his part, civil activist Hajar Amin said: “We view these cases with great concern, and we know well that incitement is being carried out through organized and funded rooms backed by the interim government.”

He added: “Unfortunately, many media outlets have lost much of their credibility and legitimacy by broadcasting events that contradict the principles of humanitarian work. They must return to a reference framework based on the foundations of journalistic practice, as following their coverage shows that they contribute to widening the rift within society.”

He concluded by calling on the residents of the region to adhere to the values they were raised on, as people of culture, tribes, and political parties, and that they will not accept external interference or the spread of the poison of division among them, stressing the need to close ranks.

Societal Rift Caused by Interim Government Media and Its Arab Supporters

In the same context, journalist Suleiman Al-Tawil said: “What we witnessed after the fall of the Baath regime was tragic for Syrians, due to the emergence of trends and discourses through the media of the interim government and some Arab media outlets, which led to a societal rift among Syrians.”

He added: “When we talk about hate speech, we find that over the past years there have been many experiences with it, and they had significant impacts in the short and long term, always leaving victims. During the coastal massacres, we saw the scale of massacres and scenes that spread as a result of the adopted discourse; we also saw this in Sweida, and currently in the regions of North and East Syria.”

He confirmed that “the societal rift occurred through the media of the interim government and the media affiliated with mercenaries, where people today are being asked about their sect, religion, and ethnicity, which in itself constitutes a societal fracture. There is also a large amount of incitement through the official outlets of the interim government that calls for hatred, which is rejected under media ethics.”

Al-Tawil concluded by saying: “All media professionals must respond to this media misinformation by revealing the truth and adopting balanced discourse to counter the lies spreading in the region.”

ANHA