Executive Summary:
In the contemporary Syrian media landscape, a disturbing phenomenon has emerged: the portrayal of the poor and needy—men, women, and children—weeping and pleading before the camera in scenes designed to elicit sympathy and donations from viewers.
These practices, which can be described as “media begging,” transform human suffering into a commodity to be bought and sold, demeaning the dignity of those in need and distorting the image of Syrian society.
This paper is based on a critical analysis of the phenomenon of media begging within its Syrian context, drawing on media reports and social studies. It offers a strategic vision for mitigating this phenomenon while preserving human dignity and directing charitable work toward more effective and less demeaning institutional mechanisms.
First, the theoretical framework:
The phenomenon of “media begging” can be understood in light of several overlapping theories, most notably:
The theory of the commodification of suffering: This theory refers to the transformation of human pain and suffering into commodities sold in the marketplace of emotions. Painful images and tearful scenes are exploited to attract views and collect donations, with no regard for the dignity of those affected.
In this context, the poor are used as tools to achieve gains—whether material (fundraising) or intangible (fame, followers, trending)—at the expense of their human dignity.
The theory of the violation of dignity: This theory emphasizes that human dignity is not merely a moral value, but a fundamental right guaranteed by law and enshrined in international conventions.
Filming a person in a moment of weakness and vulnerability, and broadcasting this scene to the world, constitutes a blatant violation of their right to privacy and dignity, turning them into a tool for media spectacle.
This paper also draws on media ethics standards, which stress the necessity of respecting the dignity of those being filmed and refraining from exploiting their needs and tragedies for profit. The Syrian National Committee adopted the “Professional Code of Conduct for Syrian Media” in February 2026, aiming to regulate the Syrian media sector and its operations. This represents a first step in the right direction.
Secondly, Media Begging in the Syrian Context:
The phenomenon of “media begging” is not new to the Syrian scene, but it has noticeably worsened in recent years with the spread of social media platforms and the increased need for donations amidst the crippling economic crisis.
This phenomenon manifests itself in several ways:
Firstly, the exploitation of those in need in charitable programs. Videos circulating on social media platforms show families, children, or the elderly crying and complaining of poverty, while viewers are asked to donate—scenes that humiliate and degrade the recipients.
Second: The stark contrast between the presenter and the reality of suffering. A striking phenomenon is the appearance of influencers or presenters dressed in luxurious attire while interviewing the poor and elderly. This reflects a stark disconnect between the presenter’s affluent image and the reality of the suffering of those being interviewed, transforming the scene into a painful mockery of the needy.
Third: The exploitation of children and the elderly. This phenomenon is particularly acute when it comes to children and the elderly, whose vulnerability and helplessness are exploited to evoke emotions and attract donations.
Reports indicate that most beggars are children exploited and manipulated by others, sometimes even by their own families.
The image of an elderly man pleading for diapers, or a woman kneeling and kissing the hand of the person who arranged her rent, represents the pinnacle of humiliation to which these practices can be reduced.
Fourth: The Growing Phenomenon of Traditional Begging. Media-driven begging cannot be separated from the growing phenomenon of traditional begging on Syrian streets. Reports indicate that this phenomenon is worsening year after year, transforming from isolated incidents into a recurring social behavior.
In Damascus alone, approximately 1,200 cases of begging were recorded, a scene that reflects the depth of the economic and social crisis the country is experiencing, and simultaneously fuels the exploitation of these cases by the media.
Third: Repercussions:
Media-driven begging has dire repercussions on all levels:
On an individual level: It represents a blatant violation of human dignity, depriving individuals of their right to privacy and subjecting them to public humiliation. Filming a person in a moment of weakness and vulnerability, and broadcasting this scene to the world, reinforces their image as a helpless “victim,” stripping them of their dignity and humanity.
On a societal level: It distorts the image of Syrian society and reinforces the stereotypical view of it as a poor and underdeveloped society, thus weakening the state’s prestige and negatively impacting its national image. It also weakens social cohesion and sows frustration and despair.
On a charitable level: It transforms charitable work from values of solidarity and cooperation into a media spectacle, distorting the image of charitable organizations and weakening trust in them. This may deter genuinely needy people from seeking assistance for fear of public humiliation.
Fourth, Lessons Learned:
The experiences of some countries offer models that can be utilized in regulating media-driven charitable work and preserving the dignity of those in need:
In Jordan: The phenomenon of “media begging” sparked widespread debate, with some commentators considering it to be leading to “the birth of a new era of fake and cheap media,” prompting calls for regulating media-driven charitable work and ensuring that those in need are not exploited.
In Palestine: Statements were issued condemning those “profiting from the suffering of Palestinians,” emphasizing that “money collected in the name of the people is not spoils of war, nor is it charity to be given away, nor is it the private property of those skilled in media manipulation.”
Global Experiences: In many developed countries, fundraising campaigns are organized through institutional channels that respect the dignity of beneficiaries and ensure that their images or stories are not exploited for promotional purposes.
Strict codes of conduct are enforced, prohibiting the photographing of those in need in degrading situations and requiring charitable organizations to obtain the beneficiaries’ consent before publishing any media material about them.
Fifth, Future Scenarios:
Scenario One: Institutional Regulation (Most Optimistic)
Assumptions:
- Enacting legislation to regulate media-based charitable work and criminalize the exploitation of those in need.
- Activating the Code of Professional Conduct for Syrian Media issued in February 2026.
- Establishing an independent oversight body to follow up on complaints related to violations of the dignity of those in need in the media.
- Directing charitable work towards institutional mechanisms that respect the dignity of beneficiaries.
Expected Results:
- A significant decline in the phenomenon of media begging within 2-3 years.
- An improved national image for Syria.
- Strengthening trust in charitable organizations.
Scenario Two: Continuation with Limited Improvement (Most Likely)
Assumptions:
- Media begging will continue at its current levels.
- Limited directives will be issued without effective oversight.
- The division between those who see these practices as “humanitarian service” and those who see them as “exploitation” will persist.
Expected Results:
- Violations of the dignity of those in need will continue.
- Continued distortion of Syria’s image.
- Wasting a historic opportunity to regulate media-based charitable work.
Third Scenario: Escalation and Moral Collapse (Worst-Case Scenario)
Assumptions:
- The exacerbation of media-based begging with the growing economic crisis.
- Its transformation into a lucrative industry that exploits the poor for profit.
- The collapse of any ethical standards in media-based charitable work.
Expected Results:
- The transformation of the poor into cheap commodities in the marketplace of emotions.
- A collapse of trust in charitable work.
- A deepening of frustration and despair in society.
Sixth, Recommendations:
Based on the above analysis, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
First, at the legislative and regulatory level:
- Enacting legislation specifically regulating media-based charitable work, criminalizing the exploitation of the needy in the media, and establishing clear guidelines for portraying the poor and needy in charitable campaigns, in a way that preserves their dignity and protects their privacy.
- Activate the Code of Professional Conduct for Syrian Media issued in February 2026, and make it mandatory for all media outlets and social media platforms, with deterrent penalties for violators.
- Establish an independent oversight body to monitor and follow up on cases of media exploitation, receive complaints from citizens and those in need who have been exploited, and investigate them.
Secondly, at the institutional level:
- Direct charitable work towards institutional mechanisms that respect the dignity of beneficiaries, through the establishment of national charitable funds that manage and distribute donations confidentially and securely, without the need to photograph or humiliate those in need.
- Launch a national awareness campaign in cooperation with unions and community organizations, aimed at promoting a culture of charitable work that respects human dignity, and raising citizens’ awareness of the dangers and negative effects of media exploitation.
- Train media professionals and charitable organizations on ethical standards in dealing with those in need, and develop guidelines to ensure they are not exploited or their dignity violated.
Third, at the community level:
- Encouraging donations through official channels instead of responding to videos that exploit those in need, and promoting a culture of institutional solidarity.
- Involving civil society organizations in monitoring and reporting cases of media begging, and working to provide dignified alternatives for those in need.
- Promoting a culture of dignity in media discourse, and rejecting any practice that degrades human beings or exploits their vulnerability.
Conclusion:
Media begging in Syria represents a blatant violation of human dignity, turning suffering into a commodity bought and sold in the marketplace of emotions.
What we witness in these painful scenes—elders, women, and children weeping and pleading before the camera—is not merely a matter of misguided media practices, but rather a reflection of a deep ethical and institutional crisis that demands serious attention at all levels.
Protecting the dignity of those in need does not mean ignoring their needs, but rather providing them with assistance in ways that respect their humanity, far removed from exploitation and humiliation. International experience demonstrates that charitable work can be effective and impactful without resorting to public displays of suffering.
Today, with the adoption of the professional code of conduct for Syrian media and the political will to reform the media landscape, we have a golden opportunity to build a Syrian model of charitable media work that respects human dignity and promotes the values of solidarity and cooperation, far removed from exploitation and media manipulation.
If we fail in this endeavor, we will continue to view images of the poor weeping as if this were the only image befitting Syria—an image unworthy of its history and the dignity of its people.
