Violence Against Journalists in Syria

               Violence against journalists in Syria directly reflects the countries access to media and freedom of speech. Covering news stories in Syria about the current uprisings has proven to be extremely dangerous. In just the past week, two Western journalists Marie Colvin and Remi Ochlik have been killed in the Syrian city of Homs. The two journalists were staying at a media center in a rebel-held Homs direct when several rockets hit the building, killing them and wounding three other journalists. Reporters Without Borders has accused Syria of “using the most violent means to silence journalists who witness (government) excesses and to enforce a bloody policy of censorship." It has been reported that the two journalists were reporting on a story that the government did not want published. The Committee to Protect Journalists called the incident “an unacceptable escalation in the price that local and international journalists are being forced to pay."

Since the start of the anti-Assad revolt, many other journalists have been killed in Syria. In addition to this death toll are three Syrian cousins who acted as “citizen journalists” and filmed the government attacks on Homs so that the rest of the world would be able to see what was happening in their country.

This has become a popular trend in Syria, where the lines between activism and reporting have become blurred. As the death toll rises, more and more average citizens have took it upon themselves to document their experiences and use technology to disseminate their message. Video is filmed on mobile phones and information is shared, when possible, via websites such as Skype. “Hactivists” have also helped get out their messages by working their way around government restrictions and diverting all Internet censorship to their own webpage. With an estimated 10,207 dead, 65,000 missing, and 212,000 arrests, many “netizens”, the term given to citizens active on the internet, believe that it is worth the price to get their message out to bring about change in their country.   It is important to recognize how important technology is to media systems and freedom of the press, especially in countries such as Syria.

Syria Proves Untrustworthy

As the conflict in Syria continues to worsen, key players in the United Nations, have now begun to abandon their embassies in the Syria.  The United States and several members of the Arab League have already withdrawn their entire staff from their respective embassies.  Now Turkey and Norway can be added to the ever growing list.  Although it was foreseen that these two countries would leave, it comes as a large puzzle to the danger of what could transpire in Syria.  
Turkey borders 550 miles of land that is in direct contact with Syria.  In the past, countries pulling their embassies out has often been linked to an immanent attack.  Since Turkey lies on the Syrian border, could this mean an attack is now immanent?  The number of refugees now residing in Turkey has reached 17,000 and continues to grow.  Turkey and the United States have since sent non-lethal aid to the refugees in and out of Turkey.  They have also provided the resisting forces with communications equipment and medical supplies.  The Syrian government has also begun to shell the city of Homs.  
Homs was bombed severely during the months of February and March, hoping to crush and remaining rebel factions.  Reports from the Syrian government suggest that the shelling and raids conducted by the Special Forces, were to prevent a terrorist group from blowing up a nearby bridge.  Syrian troops have also begun to flood into areas that were previously declared pacified, by the Syrian government.  According to the United Nations, 8,000 people have been killed in the ongoing conflict including 500 children.  
With aid from the United States and Turkey being given to the Syrian refugees, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will most likely address the situation with his many lies.  Russia will also be expected to give an opinion because of their current relationship with Syria.  Russia has been a known supplier of many products to Syria and it is unlikely that they would stop without putting up a defense.  It is clear, that al-Assad will not be honoring the cease fire plan that he agreed to with the U.N.  While this conflict continues to grow, we can only hope that no military action will be taken by any country.  The last thing we need is another World War.


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/27/world/middleeast/us-and-turkey-to-step-up-nonlethal-aid-to-rebels-in-syria.html?_r=1

Reporters Without Borders Media Restrictions

 

                In a recent report from Reporters Without Borders, the article explained that no change has come to Syria's media restrictions in the last couple of months. Restrictions are definitely not becoming less harsh and in some cases are becoming more strict than ever before. With the recent restrictions on internet cafes, which used to be an outlet for Syrians to use illegal websites in Syria, protests and demonstrations against the Assad Government have increased and have become almost daily occurrences. Foreign reporters trying to share the unfair restrictions are being arrested and tortured. Members from the Associated Press and Reuters have been arrested and forced to leave Syria immediately when trying to tell other countries about Syria. At one point, Visas were not being given out to foreign journalists.

               The famous Qatar-based television station Al-Jazeera also announced that in April they will be ending services to Syria because of threats they have received from the Government. Employees from the television station have been targeted by my threats and have been victims of embarrassment. With Government attacks occurring repeatedly, many Syrians and foreigners are afraid to talk to the media or even about the media. This is difficult for Reporters Without Borders because they are trying to collect as much information as possible about the Assad Government's media restrictions to cause attention to change his ways. 

               Assad's Government has also created a "cyber army" which regulates the websites and information Syrians can access on the internet daily. They are also spreading pro-Assad propaganda and hacking personal information to attack journalists and Syrians who are trying to tell the truth about the media restrictions in Syria. With Syria being 173 out of 178 countries on the press freedom index, hope for Syria is dim. The country is on the list of internet enemies, and President Assad is on the "Predators of Press Freedom" list. Other countries need to step in and help Syria escape from Assad's media restrictions before it is too late.