Preserving truth: the role of journalism in Syria's past and future

This panel brings together leading Syrian voices to discuss journalism’s role in documenting Syria’s revolution, war, Assad’s downfall, and the transition to new governance. It will highlight the importance of Syrian journalists, the shaping of narratives by writers inside and outside the country, and how media countered propaganda. From the uprising’s early days to the current transitional period, we’ll examine journalism as both resistance and a platform for truth.
Discussion points:
> How grassroots journalism became the frontline of resistance against Assad’s regime, as well as ISIS and other state and non-state actors, who employed ruthless measures to suppress dissent.
> The role of state-sponsored media in misleading the public and shaping distorted global perceptions.
> How Syrian journalists, both on the ground and in exile, preserved the truth.
> The ethical responsibilities of international media when reporting on Syria/conflict zones.
> The struggle to dismantle a culture of fear and repression after decades of silenced dissent.
> The role of journalists in shaping the narrative of a new Syria, balancing justice for past atrocities with a vision for reconciliation and the future.
> The sacrifices made by those who risked their lives to document the war and the revolution.
> The enduring obligation to tell Syria’s story accurately, ensuring history cannot be rewritten, and fostering public trust in journalism as a tool for accountability and democratic progress.
Moderated by Jenifer Vaughan Fenton.