The Syrian Future Movement follows with great interest and appreciation the unprecedented achievement of Syria in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The Syrian Future Movement affirms that this historic achievement, represented by Syria’s leap of 36 places to rank 141st out of 180 countries, is the largest improvement in the report’s quarter-century history.
This achievement is particularly significant as it comes at a time when the world is witnessing an unprecedented decline in press freedom. The organization stated that “for the first time in 25 years, more than half of the world’s countries fall into the ‘difficult’ or ‘very serious’ categories,” indicating that Syria is bucking the global trend.
The Syrian Future Movement bases its assessment on the details of the organization’s report, which shows that Syria’s leap forward encompassed all five indicators measured by the ranking.
The political index rose from 170th to 103rd, the economic index from 179th to 107th, the legal index from 177th to 139th, the social index from 173rd to 134th, and the security index from 178th to 154th.
The organization attributed this improvement to the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorial regime on December 8, 2014, which brought an end to five decades of brutal and violent repression against the press.
The Syrian Future Movement draws attention to the report’s observation that media outlets previously operating in exile returned to Damascus, and that most international news agencies resumed their operations there just hours after the regime’s collapse.
The Syrian Future Movement also notes that no journalists or media workers have been killed since the beginning of this year, reflecting a tangible improvement in the security environment for journalists, although the situation remains classified as “very dangerous.”
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that this achievement is the culmination of the vision of the new Syrian government, which pledged to work towards establishing a sustainable framework for an independent press, a vision we support.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its consistent positions, published on its official website, emphasizing the importance of media freedom as a fundamental pillar for building a national state. This includes the article titled “Pluralism or Independence? What Syrian Media Needs!” dated April 27, 2024, in which we reaffirm the Syrian Future Movement’s continued commitment to the vision and approach of supporting the development of a free and independent national media system in the country.
Based on its national vision and its concern for Syria’s future during this critical transitional phase, the Syrian Future Movement calls for the following:
- Building upon this achievement with balanced legislation: New laws and regulations must provide full guarantees for the freedom and independence of journalists, and licenses must not be transformed from mere administrative procedures into tools for exclusion and restriction. This is what we emphasized in our statement entitled “The Syrian Ministry of Information’s Circular Banning Three Media Platforms,” dated March 26, 2026. What is needed is a legal framework that liberates the media and preserves the unique character of the Syrian media landscape.
- Complete Repeal of Outdated Repressive Laws: We demand the official and complete repeal of Media Law No. 108 of 2011, and all other repressive laws that have been used to stifle free speech. We also call for the enactment of modern legislation that keeps pace with digital transformations and aligns with international standards.
- Protection of Journalists and Support for Human Rights Organizations: It is essential to provide a safe working environment for journalists, involve the General Union of Journalists and relevant unions in shaping the country’s media policies, and support local organizations that defend press freedom.
- Encouraging Investment in Media as a Development Pillar: Directing financial and service support to media institutions will enable them to fulfill their oversight and developmental roles, foster fair competition, and restore the media’s status as an economic driver that provides employment opportunities.
- Reflecting the true image of Syria internationally: This historic leap in the Freedom Index should be leveraged to restore Syria’s civilized image to the world and correct the distortions caused by decades of repression and media manipulation by the former regime.
In conclusion:
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that this historic achievement is a source of pride for all Syrian journalists who paid with their blood for the sake of freedom. It is clear international recognition of a tangible and genuine change in the reality of journalism and freedoms in post-liberation Syria.
The Syrian Future Movement recognizes that this leap in the ranking is an international acknowledgment of the new path the Syrian state is taking, a path that deserves our support and encouragement.
However, the road ahead remains long as we continue building the new Syria worthy of the victims and martyrs of freedom.
