Enab Baladi – Omar Alaa Eldin
The polarization and spread of hate speech in Syrian society, especially after recent events in the coastal region and in Suwayda (southern Syria), prompted several Syrian media institutions and journalists to gather in Damascus to discuss a draft code of ethics for professional and moral practices in journalism.
On Sunday, September 14, workshops began to debate the draft, aiming to set guidelines for media practice and curb the prevalence of hate speech on social media in Syria.
The workshop, attended by Enab Baladi, brought together representatives from state-run and private media outlets, independent Syrian press institutions, and Syrian journalists working with Arab and international media.
The drafting committee consists of 12 members, including two from the Ministry of Information, and is headed by Syrian journalist Ali Eid.
Participants included Omar al-Haj Ahmad, director of press affairs at the Ministry of Information; Arabi al-Masri, head of the Radio and Television Department at Damascus University’s Faculty of Media; Mohammed Sattouf, head of freedoms at the Syrian Journalists’ Association; and Mahmoud al-Shahoud, head of the Union of Syrian Journalists.
A “charter of honor” and code of conduct
Discussions covered topics such as the role of “influencers” and content creators on social media, and whether their output constitutes journalism. Participants debated all provisions of the code, from journalists’ conduct on social platforms and reporting on victims in crises, to establishing solidarity mechanisms against violations or abuses targeting journalists.
Other points raised included ensuring the code reaches all Syrians, avoiding vague terminology, adding a clause on respect for truth and separating fact from opinion, and integrating the document into media education curricula.
Ali Eid, head of the drafting committee, said the code will be divided into two parts: the first will be a “charter of honor,” and the second will be a code of conduct detailing the professional and ethical practices Syrian journalists should adhere to.
He noted that this is the first time Syrian journalists have convened nationally to draft their own code, with discussions planned across all provinces to involve the widest range of Syrian journalists, regardless of political considerations.
Eid added that about 500 journalists and stakeholders are participating in drafting the code, while opportunities for input will remain open to other journalists, media workers, and influencers.
The Ministry of Information, he said, is only “facilitating” the process without intervening in details. If the ministry or a future legislative body (such as the People’s Assembly) chooses to adopt the code as a regulatory framework, that would be a separate matter.
Eid stressed that the media community seeks to enshrine maximum press freedoms through the code, warning that unchecked hate speech threatens social peace, transitional justice, and the watchdog role of journalism in Syria.
Syria rose two places in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, issued by Reporters Without Borders, moving from 179th in 2024 under Assad’s regime to 177th place.
According to Eid, Syria today faces the responsibility of building “responsible media,” and the success of this effort depends on “how well we understand the dangers of unrestrained media discourse that threatens security and social peace, and delays transitional justice.”
He added that such “unchecked discourse” undermines journalism’s ability to fulfill its role of “accountability” on one hand, and as a “partner in development” on the other.
Eid noted that the new code intersects with many of the 400 existing charters of honor worldwide, while maintaining specificity to the Syrian context. He stressed that previous charters drafted by Syrian newspapers and institutions, whether inside or outside the country, will naturally form part of the foundation for this new code.
Discussions among participating journalists on the provisions of the professional code of conduct – September 14, 2025 ( Omar Alaa Eldin/Enab Baladi)
Government commitment
The Syrian government pledged that its state-run media institutions would commit to the new code. Omar al-Haj Ahmad, director of press affairs at the Ministry of Information, said official outlets should be the first to comply, as the code is a moral document regulating journalism on the basis of ethics, professionalism, objectivity, and accuracy.
He explained that hate speech, sectarian incitement, and ethical violations in some outlets, as well as among content creators and influencers, made such a code necessary. The ministry, in cooperation with independent media and expert journalists, is leading the process.
Workshops will continue across Syrian provinces, some in person and others online, before a final meeting to draft the code. Al-Haj Ahmad stressed that the ministry does not intend to impose the code, despite having the authority to do so.
Participants during a workshop to draft the professional code of conduct for journalists in Damascus – September 14, 2025 (Enab Baladi/Omar Alaa Eldin)
Addressing journalists’ concerns about the Ministry of Information controlling the code, the ministry’s director of press affairs said the priority is to work in partnership with civil society organizations, Syrian media institutions, and foreign media accreditation offices. He noted this confirms the ministry has no intention of imposing such a code, “even though it would have been within its rights.”
He added that the ministry seeks not to restrict media and press freedom, but stressed that responsibility must accompany it.
Ethics as “one third” of the profession
Arabi al-Masri of Damascus University’s Faculty of Media said international journalistic standards recommend that training should consist of one-third professional skills, one-third conceptual knowledge, and one-third ethics.
In an interview with Enab Baladi, al-Masri said that the intention to launch an ethical and professional code for Syrian journalists is proof that “there is a compass working in the right direction,” guiding journalists and filling gaps in the national media law, which is expected to be issued soon in its amended form. He noted that the law is still in force under the constitutional declaration that endorsed the application of national laws.
Transitional Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa signed a draft of the constitutional declaration on March 13, which stipulates that the state guarantees “freedom of opinion, expression, media, publishing, and journalism.”
According to the declaration, the state protects these rights and freedoms, exercised in accordance with the law, and may subject them to restrictions that constitute necessary measures for national security, territorial integrity, public safety, public order, crime prevention, or the protection of public health and morals.
Al-Masri stressed that media students should study all international charters issued by the International Federation of Journalists, along with international codes of ethics, Syrian law, and the codes of conduct issued by relevant bodies in all their forms.
He advised new journalists regarding such charters, saying, “Let your message have a heart before it has a mind that serves the editorial policy of your institution. That is why we always say: the audience, then the audience, then the audience. Seek the approval of God and the approval of the audience.”
Participants during a workshop to draft the professional code of conduct for journalists in Damascus – September 14, 2025 (Enab Baladi/Omar Alaa Eldin)
A matter of custom
Syrian journalist Yaarub al-Issa said codes of conduct function as professional “customs” that complement legal frameworks. Their importance lies in being voluntary commitments, similar to social conventions.
He pointed to multiple earlier attempts to draft codes of conduct both inside and outside Syria, saying “It is time to bring all these attempts together into a consensual formula and a common ground, so that at the very least divided Syrian journalists, who often did not even know one another, can discover that they agree on the principles of the code by nearly 100%.”
There are also existing charters of honor in southern Syria and in northeast Syria, in addition to the “Syrian Journalists’ Charter of Honor,” which Enab Baladi helped found.
Participants during a workshop to draft the professional code of conduct for journalists in Damascus – September 14, 2025 (Enab Baladi/Omar Alaa Eldin)
Gender considerations
Lama Rajeh of the Syrian Women Journalists Network told Enab Baladi that some provisions remain vague, such as a clause prohibiting “degrading women.” She argued that clearer language is needed to address discrimination, exclusion, stereotyping, or marginalization.
She added, “We need more detailed definitions, and I am sure our colleagues will respond positively on this matter.”
On September 10, 2015, 20 Syrian media organizations launched the Syrian Journalists’ Charter of Honor, aiming to establish an active role for the press in contributing seriously to building a new Syrian society, according to the charter.
The “Charter of Honor for Syrian Media Professionals” is now a network of 24 independent Syrian media outlets, including Enab Baladi, Arta FM radio, ARA News agency, Rozana Radio, Nasaem Syria magazine, and others.
Through its legislative framework and activities, the network seeks to strengthen the ethical and professional dimension among member institutions, with the goal of producing media content free from hate speech and enriched with values of gender justice, accuracy, credibility, integrity, and fairness.
Syrian media institutions discuss draft code of professional conduct Enab Baladi.
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