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.