The Syrian Future Movement is closely following the widespread controversy sparked by the campaign launched by People’s Assembly member Dr. Abdullah Ghanoum to pursue what he termed “indecent broadcasts” on social media platforms. This campaign, which has been accompanied by security and judicial measures targeting a number of content creators, has created a divide between supporters who see it as necessary to protect children and society, and opponents who fear it will become a pretext for restricting personal freedoms and curtailing freedom of expression.
The Syrian Future Movement considers protecting Syrian families, especially children and adolescents, from content that incites violence, engages in blackmail, or promotes abusive behaviors, a national and moral responsibility that cannot be compromised. It is an integral part of the Movement’s vision for building a society based on values and dignity.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that what the People’s Assembly member described as “degrading content” is not a single concept, but rather encompasses a wide range of material. Some of this material includes verbal abuse and indecent scenes, while some includes accusations of blackmail and sectarian incitement. This necessitates a precise legal approach that does not conflate what constitutes a punishable crime with the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression, satire, or criticism.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that Syrian families, who have suffered for years from violence and chaos, now need a digital environment that protects their children from harmful content. However, they also need guarantees that protect freedom of expression from the expansion of extrajudicial prosecutions and safeguard critics and complainants from any exploitation of the campaign for personal or political purposes.
Nevertheless, the Syrian Future Movement believes that the success of any campaign to protect society depends on the clarity of its methodology, its reliance on specific legal standards, and its avoidance of vague descriptions that could be used to restrict freedoms.
The Syrian Future Movement notes with concern the observations of some analysts that “vague descriptions such as ‘degrading content’ and ‘toxic content’ could open the door to varying interpretations and allow for the prosecution of content that does not necessarily constitute a crime, at a time when basic living and economic needs remain the greatest challenge facing Syrian families.
The Syrian Future Movement points out that the campaign was not organized within a clear institutional framework. Media outlets quoted the Internal Security Media Office as saying that “the campaign was not organized, and the arrests were carried out on the direct orders of the Public Prosecutor.” This raises legitimate questions about decision-making mechanisms, the extent to which procedures are subject to prior judicial review, and the guarantees of a fair trial.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the lack of institutional organization does not serve the protection of families; rather, it may weaken confidence in any future efforts to protect society and makes the campaign vulnerable to criticism and skepticism.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the campaign later expanded to include what a member of parliament described as “toxic content,” after initially being limited to “inappropriate content.” This expansion increases the risks of misinterpretation and necessitates a precise legal definition that clearly distinguishes between what constitutes a crime and what constitutes a legitimate practice, in line with the Movement’s previous statements regarding the need to preserve freedom of expression and legitimate criticism.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates that it has previously emphasized, in its studies and positions published through its Family Affairs Office, the importance of protecting children from digital dangers. This includes the Family Affairs Office’s publication entitled “Childhood and Mobile Phone Use,” which stressed the need to approach technology with awareness and responsibility, not with a logic of prohibition or restriction.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that protecting the family cannot be achieved through individual prosecution campaigns, but rather through comprehensive national policies that include family awareness programs, regulation of digital platforms, strengthening parental supervision, and developing educational curricula that promote critical thinking in children.
Based on its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement, Family Affairs Office, recommends the following:
First: The People’s Assembly should enact legislation that precisely defines what constitutes a content crime (such as blackmail, incitement to violence and sectarianism, and child pornography), instead of relying on vague and ambiguous descriptions. This legislation should include a clear definition of “toxic content,” which was added later to the campaign.
Second: All measures taken against content creators should be subject to prior judicial review, in accordance with legal procedures, and not to arbitrary direct orders. This will safeguard everyone’s rights and ensure the fairness of the proceedings.
Third: Representatives of families, teachers, and human rights organizations should be involved in designing any policy aimed at protecting society, to ensure that these policies are balanced and do not infringe upon freedoms.
Fourth: National programs should be launched to raise awareness among families about how to protect their children from harmful content and to provide effective parental control tools, in cooperation with the Ministries of Education and Information and civil society organizations.
Fifth: Any campaign should not be limited to what is described as “degrading” or “toxic,” but should also include incitement to violence, murder, and sectarian hatred, which pose a direct threat to civil peace. Legal standards must be uniform and non-selective.
Sixth: No legal action should be used to silence dissent or persecute critics or complainants. The judiciary must remain the sole authority competent to determine whether content constitutes a crime, independent of any administrative or security measures not subject to judicial oversight.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates the People’s Assembly member’s commitment to protecting society and children from harmful content, considering it a commendable national duty.
However, the Syrian Future Movement reiterates that protecting the family requires comprehensive policies that safeguard children from harmful content, guarantee freedom of expression, and establish clear and unambiguous legal standards.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that the Syrian family, which has always been and remains the cornerstone of society, deserves a safe digital environment, just laws, and organized procedures that protect rather than intimidate—not empty slogans that neither nourish nor protect.
