In Syria, total control over the media is being lifted.

The transitional government in Syria is introducing new standards for media operations and promises freedom of speech and expression, as well as a free press after decades of total control under the Assad regime.

This was stated in an interview with AFP by Syria's information minister in the transitional government, Mohamed al-Omar, as reported by Ukrinform, referencing Hurriyet Daily News.

“We are working on consolidating freedom of the press and expression, which were severely restricted in areas controlled by the former Bashar Assad government,” said Mohamed al-Omar.

It is noted that the ruling party in Syria, Baath, and the Assad family dynasty significantly restricted all aspects of daily life, including press freedom and freedom of expression, with the media serving as a tool of power.

“There was a serious restriction on press freedom and expression during the regime, which practiced censorship. In the future, we are working on reconstructing a media landscape that is free, objective, and professional… We do not want to continue in the same way, meaning having official media whose goal is to polish the image of the ruling authority,” emphasized al-Omar.

The minister has already met with dozens of Syrian journalists to discuss further actions and the transition to new operational standards.

As reported by Ukrinform, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha visited Syria, where he met with the leader of the Islamist group “Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham” (HTS) and the de facto leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Later, Syria's Foreign Minister Assad Hassan al-Shaybani expressed the intention to develop a strategic partnership with Ukraine on political, economic, and social levels.

Photo: hurriyetdailynews.com