Middle East & North Africa

Syria

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}

IREX Score: 0.94	[IREX Methodology]
{Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00}

IREX Description:

Although Syria's overall score improved modestly in 2009, widespread government oppression continues to challenge the independence and sustainability of the Syrian press. Syria has neither independent unions to defend journalists nor the legislative framework to protect and encourage freedom of speech. The Baathist regime maintains total control over Syrian media, and while red lines shift sometimes, nearly all journalists practice self-censorship to avoid persecution.

While the Syrian constitution protects freedom of speech and the press, these rights are circumscribed by the country's Emergency Law, which in practice places significant limitations on the media. In 2009, journalists who crossed the official party line were arrested, fired, or subjected to travel bans and hefty fines. Likewise, authorities shuttered newspapers and broadcast outlets that violated unspoken restrictions, justifying the acts by arguing that journalists' work is a threat to national security or an affront to national values.

Read more on IREX’s site…

Freedom House Score: 84 (Not Free)	[Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}

RSF Score: 91.50	[RSF Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120}

Reporters Without Borders Description:

Despite its return to the international scene in 2008, Syria remains one of the world’s most closed countries in the area of free expression and press freedom. There has been media expansion in recent years, but pluralism is not on the agenda. The Baath party has kept total control over the media. Since the start of 2009, the information ministry started hounding journalists, launching a wave of summonses and arrests against them. The Internet has been particularly badly hit by censorship, with more than 200 websites made inaccessible.

Middle East & North Africa

Syria

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