With the revolution in information technology, most Syrians have come to rely on the digital space as their main source of news. The internet and social media platforms have turned into primary arenas for expression, interaction, and following the latest developments.
However, this heavy presence has been accompanied by growing challenges, most notably the spread of disinformation and hate speech that threaten the country’s social fabric.
In the absence of effective digital policies to protect individuals and ensure safe use of technology, digital risks now endanger psychological and social security as well as opportunities for peacebuilding in Syrian society.
Enab Baladi spoke with Syrian journalists and community activists about the impact of disinformation and hate speech circulating in the digital space on Syrian society.
Countering Disinformation
Nasiba Mousa, a journalist and digital media user, told Enab Baladi that her responsibility as a journalist requires her to verify any piece of information, whether true or misleading, by investigating its source, publication context, and background before engaging with it.
She explained that she refrains from republishing disinformation, even to warn against it, so as not to contribute to its spread. Instead, she focuses on sharing what is credible and factual.
When facing hate speech, Mousa responds with an alternative discourse based on attentive listening and careful word choice, while reporting harmful content that could endanger individuals or society.
For her part, Manal Fateeh, a social media user, described countering disinformation and hate speech as a difficult task given their vast spread online, noting that she personally suffered after a false rumor forced her to leave her home for several days.
“Although I usually make sure to cross-check information from multiple sources, I found myself a victim of panic this time, proving the immense psychological effect of such information,” Fateeh said.
Community activist Mahmoud al-Samadi stressed that combating disinformation begins with “critical awareness,” which means analyzing content and questioning its source and motives, particularly since digital algorithms amplify divisive content.
He emphasized the importance of verifying sources before reposting or interacting with content, in addition to what he called “symbolic resistance”, responding to hate speech with art, poetry, and alternative narratives that restore dignity to victims and highlight the human side. He suggested creating safe digital spaces for dialogue and emotional release.
“Disinformation affects collective mood, sowing anxiety, fear, and division, and in this way it has profoundly impacted Syrian society.”
Mahmoud al-Samadi,
Community Activist
The Role of Syrian Youth
According to Mousa, Syrian youth have a responsibility to reject any discourse calling for division along sectarian, ethnic, religious, or gender lines, and to work through civil society organizations to raise awareness of the dangers of such rhetoric.
She also stressed the need to demand the activation of cybercrime laws, often dismissed by many, warning that the absence of strict laws could leave Syria vulnerable to massacres and losses no less dangerous than weapons.
Al-Samadi, meanwhile, argued that the role of youth goes beyond responding to such discourse. It includes producing alternative narratives centered on development, diversity, and a shared Syrian identity.
He added that young people should be proactive, not just consumers, by leading digital movements to spread awareness and redefining nationalism beyond narrow affiliations, toward a vision of Syria as a space for justice and dignity.
“Participating in community dialogues is essential,” al-Samadi said. “Youth are not just an audience; they can be policy-makers and facilitators of cross-identity and cross-affiliation dialogues.”
Training on digital citizenship and its role in peacebuilding within the “Basmatak-Tech” project – September 10, 2025 (Peace Circuit)
Laws: Between Deterrence and Caution
Strong laws to curb the spread of disinformation and hate speech are necessary, Mousa argued.
She pointed out that the absence of digital laws allowed the circulation of false reports during Syria’s recent events, leading to confusion and obstructing efforts toward justice and peace in the transitional phase.
“The law must be a deterrent that imposes strict fines and penalties, setting an example for anyone who insults a religion, sect, ethnicity, or any community group,” she said.
Fateeh agreed that the law is the ultimate deterrent, emphasizing the need for clear penalties, including fines and imprisonment. She added that legal measures must go hand in hand with community awareness campaigns, especially targeting youth, in order to gradually achieve lasting solutions.
Al-Samadi, however, takes a more cautious stance, describing laws as a “double-edged sword.”
He acknowledged their necessity to protect vulnerable groups and ensure a safe digital environment but also advocated for parallel alternatives such as “media literacy” to empower individuals to distinguish fact from falsehood, and community accountability through mechanisms to monitor and address hate speech.
“BASMA-TECH”: Toward Digital Peace
A local Syrian initiative, Peace Circuit, has sought to integrate technology into peacebuilding, focusing on justice narratives and targeting women and youth in its activities.
Within this framework, the initiative launched the “Basmatak-Tech” project, which is based on the concept of “digital citizenship” and its role in peacebuilding.
Mustafa Kleib, a member of Peace Circuit, told Enab Baladi that the project’s main goal is to empower users, especially youth, to be active and positive citizens in the digital world—leaving a positive footprint that contributes to creating a safer, more respectful, and tolerant online environment.
Digital Challenges
According to Kleib, Syrian society faces several digital challenges, including:
Poor infrastructure and limited internet access due to weak connections and high costs, restricting meaningful participation for many.
The spread of disinformation, fake news, and hate speech that fuels societal conflict.
Low awareness of information security and protection against hacking and digital harassment.
The absence of clear legal frameworks that safeguard users.
A large segment of society lacking basic digital skills necessary for safe and beneficial internet use.
Proposed Solutions
Kleib suggested tackling these digital challenges through local awareness and empowerment initiatives, such as “BASMA-TECH” to promote digital literacy and citizenship. His proposals include:
Creating safe digital spaces for constructive dialogue and exchange of opinions free from hate speech.
Advocating for fair digital laws that not only penalize but also address the root causes of hate speech through in-depth field studies of its prevalence and impact in Syrian cyberspace.
Conducting inclusive dialogues with all social groups, while drawing on international experiences in combating hate speech and offering legal remedies.
Defining the responsibilities of digital platforms in handling reports and combating harmful content.
Avoiding blanket censorship or harsh punitive measures that merely suppress dissenting opinions.
Encouraging every individual to leave a positive digital footprint to build a safer and more peaceful online community.
Syrians Face a Flood of Digital Disinformation Enab Baladi.
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