Syria’s State TV Relaunches After Assad’s Ouster
In a significant development for Syria’s media landscape, state television resumed broadcasts on Monday, marking its first appearance since the removal of long-time president Bashar al-Assad five months ago. The relaunch of Alekhbariah, a government-affiliated channel, follows prolonged delays attributed to outdated equipment and international sanctions affecting broadcasting capabilities.
The formal announcement came at 5:00 PM local time, with a presenter introducing the channel’s new branding alongside visuals of Damascus, including the iconic Ummayad Square. Alaa Bersilo, the chief of the new authority overseeing media operations, emphasized that the channel aims to act as a connection between the government and the populace. "We are committed to ensuring Alekhbariah reflects the new Syria," he stated.
The previous regime’s control over the media was stringent, restricting press freedom and utilizing media as a propaganda tool. Following Assad’s ouster by forces linked to the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8, the state media went silent for over a day and struggled to adapt, initially broadcasting archival material before halting transmissions altogether.
Jamil Srur, the channel’s director, highlighted the efforts taken to align the channel with the evolving political landscape, which contributed to the delays. Meanwhile, Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa described the launch as a ‘monumental moment’ for rebuilding national media and fostering trust with the Syrian people.
Syria’s media environment remains precarious; while the fall of Assad concluded a prolonged period of repression, the quest for journalistic freedom continues amid persistent instability and economic challenges. The country ranks 177 out of 180 on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, underscoring the fragile state of media freedom in the region.
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