SOHR excusive | “Information Directorate” monitors and persecutes journalists violating policy of “Salvation Government” in Idlib
The “Salvation Government,” the executive wing in areas controlled by Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham in Idlib, has imposed strict measures on press freedom. In addition, the “Salvation Government” has oppressed all media practitioners and activists by passing several unjust laws and measures, the most prominent of which was the establishment of the “Information Directorate,” as well as forcing and requiring journalists, media practitioners and activists to get “press cards” under the pretext of “facilitating their work.” Actually, the “Salvation Government” has adopted such measures to clamp down on journalists and control press activity according to the policy of the government and Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham.
Despite the negative side and disadvantages of such cards, the “Salvation Government” has started recently to withdraw such cards and permits from many journalists under various pretexts, mainly “violating the media law passed by the Salvation Government.” Accordingly, every journalist or activist whose card has been withdrawn by the “Salvation Government” becomes unable to continue press activity, as he/she cannot travel comfortably form one place to another or be permitted to film any site, do interviews or set written, visual or audio reports.
Speaking to SOHR, an activist known by his initials as M. A. says, “the establishment of the ‘Information Directorate’ by the ‘Salvation Government’ aims at oppressing press freedom and the freedom of public expression in that region. This procedure comes as a part of measures adopted by Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham to predominate the areas under its control, hush activists opposing its policy and prevent any media reports against it from being circulated. The first step which was taken by the ‘Information Directorate’ and played out in favour of the ‘Salvation Government’ and HTS has been manifested in collecting significant personal information on all journalists, media practitioners and activists. Now, the recently-established directorate has a database providing accurate information about all journalists in the region, including their first three names at least, places of residence and phone numbers. Moreover, the law of ‘press cards’ has helped the directorate to specify and limit the topics of media articles produced in the region to be in line with its policy. Some articles, photos and video clips, mostly about demonstrations and opponent activities, are posted on media without permissions by the ‘Information Directorate.’ However, the directorate is attempting to control such activities too.”
“Many journalists, both males and females, have received oral warnings and had their cards punctured, as a warning. When a card is punctured three times, then it is canceled and taken back from the journalist for ‘violating press standards.’ Ironically, employees working in the directorate are not experts and have no knowledge of press standards, as they had been just activists in agencies affiliated to HTS, such as ‘Amjad,’ ‘Ibaa’ and ‘Al-Durar Al-Shamiyah.’ Furthermore, when journalists are summoned to the ‘Information Directorate’ in order to be warned or fined, they are mistreated by the directorate’s employees and officials. On the other hand, there is no clear law organising media activity in the region, so that journalists can comply. The directorate only wants to follow HTS orders and instructions, and this is undeniable,” added M. A.
Another activist known as A. J. living in Al-Dana town in the northern countryside of Idlib faces many challenges while doing his work, after his press card had been punctured, like many other activists, over a disagreement with HTS members stationed at a checkpoint in the western countryside of Idlib. The journalist told SOHR, “the story started in April 2021 when a dispute erupted between me and members stationed at a checkpoint near Darkoush town in the western countryside of Idlib. At that time I was summoned and punished by having my press card punctured. The dispute erupted when I refused to allow the members stationed at the checkpoint to inspect my car, especially since I had showed them my press card. An altercation took place with the checkpoint’s members, and it was about to evolve to a hand-to-hand fight. Less than an hour later, I was summoned to the ‘Information Directorate’ which turned a blind eye to the members’ mistreatment and violation. Moreover, I was warned and punished with having my press card punctured.”
The journalist has clarified that the directorate does not do its part professionally or officially, as it works on exaggerating and praising the rule of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham and preserving its prestige, as he described, stressing that such practices offend press activity in the region and trigger discontent among the journalists. He adds, “recently, a noticeable large number of journalists and media practitioners have given up media-related activities in the region and changed their careers due to the arbitrary procedures and measures by the ‘Information Directorate’ of the ‘Salvation Government.’ In the recent time, the policy of directing warnings and taking back press cards has escalated, while the holders of these cards are not allowed to take any course of action to have their cards back. Accordingly, many journalists and activists have depended on patronage and help by influential figures, where a large number of journalists have chosen to be close to the ‘Salvation Government’ and HTS, so that they can work comfortably without receiving warnings or being repressed, while others have chosen to be loyal affiliates of HTS, and activists of this category enjoy special and preferential treatment.”
On the other hand, a journalist known by her initials as R. S. living in the northern countryside of Idlib has told SOHR, “there are many journalists who have not managed to get press cards from the ‘Information Directorate’ under the pretext that ‘these journalists are not professionals and have no archive of articles and achievements in this field.” Accordingly, these journalists found themselves are forced to change their career or leave HTS-controlled areas. Through granting such cards, the ‘Salvation Government’ is attempting to stifle the voices of all journalists and activists, especially those working on social media. The ‘Salvation Government’ can arrest every journalist publish any post violating the policy of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham so easily, depending on the grand database it has about all information on activists in the region, where no one can get press cards without providing the directorate with the required information. The ‘Salvation Government’ cite several claims as excuses to making possession of press cards into law, mainly providing protection for the holder of these cards against assaults by any factions or disagreements at security checkpoints. However, the government does not hesitate when it comes to taking back these cards and punishing those holding them if they posted any media-related activities opposing Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham’s policy.”
The woman has confirmed that “cons of having this card are more than the pros. However, taking back press cards from journalists and ending their career completely in such way, although they have accepted all disadvantages of working under such strict measures, violate press freedom, as nobody is authorised to prevent journalists from getting information and conducting their work.”
On April 9, the “Information Directorate” of the “Salvation Government” announced the requirement of reactivation of press cards granted earlier to journalists in Idlib city and countryside and parts of west Aleppo countryside. The directorate asked journalists to head to the directorate headquarters to receive the new cards instead of the old ones which have been canceled. Many journalists have considered that such procedure aimed to update the database about the journalists’ personal information.
It is worth noting that Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham is involved into scores of violations committed against journalists in areas under its control, where the group has arrested and killed many since it started its operations in Syria. Moreover, the group has adopted a policy for stifling voices and clamping down on freedom of expression.