The Association of Syrian Journalists has reported that the security services of the Assad regime were responsible for two incidents of media-related violations in July 2023.
In their most recent report released on Tuesday, the Association revealed that the initial violation occurred in Damascus. The Assad regime’s Ministry of Information revoked the accreditation of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in Syria. This action was taken following the BBC’s publication of an investigative piece about drug trafficking, implicating high-ranking figures within the Assad regime in the illicit drug trade.
The report highlighted that media activist Mahmoud Sawan, also known as Wasim al-Ahmad, residing in Türkiye, received death threats from armed factions associated with the Assad regime. These threats were a direct result of his reporting on the Assad regime’s involvement in drug trafficking and the growing Iranian influence in the region.
The Association’s report emphasized that the Assad regime persists in its systematic strategy of misleading both local and international public opinion. This is achieved by curbing media outlets’ freedom of operation within its areas.
Furthermore, the Association underscored that the media violations in Syria during the preceding month closely mirrored those of previous months. Instances of restricted media freedoms, coupled with threats to the security and well-being of media professionals, have consistently been the catalysts for documented violations.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
