Syrian media’s role in ongoing war discussed

DAMASCUS,(ST)_Means of developing national media in the light of the fierce media war being waged against Syria were tackled Wednesday by all parties concerned.

Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Mohammad Jehad al-Lahham, underscored the need for mobilizing capabilities and training media staff to improve the national media’s task.  

He cited that some satellite channels have stopped  the Syrian TV channels’ coverage because they were showing the reality of what is going on in the country.

“The national media which has offered sacrifices and martyrs, most recent the reporter Yara Abbas, does defend Syria and the Arab nation as well,” al-Lahham said.

He wants the national media to be active in combating corruption and completing the process of building, noting that victory can be realized through unifying efforts of the Syrian people, state establishments and the Syrian Arab army.     

For his part, Information Minister Omran al-Zou’bi ,said that consolidating the approach of “state media” is the main goal of the ministry, noting that a number of media staff members are following training courses abroad.

‘Red lines’

“The ministry is seeking to set up new radio stations of high quality….but now there are technical and financial obstacles facing the Syrian media… these obstacles prevent us from doing what we want,” al-Zou’bi added.

He stressed that national media has no red lines except that impinge on sovereignty of state and army. 

Public opinion’s reinforcement

Head of Press and Publishing committee at the PA, Dr Fayez al-Sayegh, said : “That Syrian media has the honor of defending the homeland. So it must follow certain strategies to reinforce public opinion and dwell upon people’s problems.”

The today-meeting, which was held by the committee, revolved around national opposition’s appearance on national TV channels, tasks of newly-formed information committee, and TV programs.

Members of National Information Council, Head of Journalists Union, Head of Writers Union, and Directors of media establishments attended the meeting.

Basma Qaddour