Media environment in SDF-controlled areas | Strict and complex measures undermine journalists and media practitioners
Journalism is considered the fourth authority of the regime of any country around the world, as it reflects the situation in the country through neutrally circulating and highlighting all development on the ground and violations committed against human rights, especially during wars. However, media environment in north and east Syria has experienced growing complexity which is attributed to the complicated measures and restrictions imposed by the Autonomous Administration, the holder of power in this region, on journalists and all media-related activities.
Media outlets affiliated to and run by the Autonomous Administration monopolises the media coverage of every prominent event; this, in turn, has created a state of aversion among journalists, pushing them to steer clear of their duties and requirements of the current decisive stage of the Syrian crisis. Media activism in north and east Syria has faced complex regulatory measures imposed by the “information bureau” in the region; let alone the measures and procedures imposed by security and military forces during military actions, undermining journalists and preventing them from cover specific events appropriately.
Speaking to SOHR, a media activist in Al-Raqqah city known by his initials as A. A. who runs a website concerned with Syria news says, “during the period of ISIS control of Al-Raqqah city, media activists and journalists have struggled with the policy of media blackout restriction of freedom of expression and press freedom, while media activism was confined to individuals swearing allegiance to ISIS which deliberately focused then on circulating a plethora of topics instilling fear into residents. After the liberation of Al-Raqqah city in 2017, the situation under the control of the ‘Autonomous Administration’ has not been more different. Recently, most of the journalists and media practitioners have been prevented from covering military attacks on north and east Syria under the pretext of ‘maintaining the safety of correspondents and complying with security measures imposed by the war in different areas in north-east Syria region.’ These measures have restricted journalists in the area from assuming their duties of covering developments and violations during the period of war.”
Commenting on a decision compelling media activists to obtain permissions enabling them to cover statements, interview officials of the “Autonomous Administration,” gauge the opinions of people to make reports and cover developments on the ground and social events, the activist says, “the reservations by the ‘information bureau’ of the Autonomous Administration and the local council of Al-Raqqah and the complicated routine procedures by institutions and bureaus working for the Autonomous Administration are major factors pushing most of the activists and local and international media outlets to steer clear of press activities, including covering developments on the ground and social events in that region.”
On the other hand, a media activist known by her initials as S. A. who works for a media local agency concerned with breaking news in Syria and making reportages has told SOHR, “we prioritise making reportages with social figures, such as poets, writers, intellectuals and artists. Specifically, preparing reportages is the easiest method to accomplish media-related activities when it comes to deal with these figures who are known for their transparent views and prefer to stay away from every complex procedure impeding media activists’ work. We, the female correspondents, avoid interviewing official characters, as their protocol regarding participation in interviews by journalists and transparent responds to the questions directed to officials authorised to issue statements almost not exist because of preservations by these officials. Accordingly, correspondents find it difficult to form a clear and transparent vision about specific topics. Imposition of complicated measures on journalists and activists is not confined to the institutions of the Autonomous Administration and affiliated bureaus, as international and local organisations also restrict press and media-related activities related to covering humanitarian situation. Journalists are barely able to obtain information, make reportages or prepare reports about the humanitarian situation in that region, fearing interruption of financial support.”
Audio, visual and print media are diverse in Al-Raqqah city. However, the reports which totally depend on the residents’ views and opinions remain the most prominent. Meanwhile, media activists avoid dealing with official institutions and rely on official pages and websites to obtain information.
It is worth noting that the “information Directorate” in north and east Syria canceled the license of a journalist working for the French press agency on January 15, 2022, as he took pictures of the environmental pollution at a dumpster and made reports highlighting the risks which primitive oil refineries posed to the safety of residents and lack of interest in makeshift camps. Moreover, the Autonomous Administration unlicensed Rudaw TV Channel and closed its broadcasting office in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq under the pretext that “the TV channel incited ethnic hatred and exported unreal image to spectators about negligence and corruption by the Autonomous Administration’s institutions.”