Representatives of Arab journalists' unions affirmed that the launch of the annual report on the state of press freedom in the Arab world for the years 2025 and 2026 from Damascus, for the first time after liberation, constitutes an opportunity to assess the reality of media freedoms in the Arab world, highlight the challenges facing journalists, and foster cooperation among Arab unions to enhance press freedom and develop media work.
For his part, Mohammed Salam, head of the External Relations Committee at the Iraqi Journalists' Syndicate, clarified in a statement to SANA on Friday that his visit to Syria allows him to closely observe its new reality, which differs from what it experienced previously, expressing his hope that the upcoming phase will witness joint cooperation between the Iraqi Journalists' Syndicate and the Syrian Journalists' Union.
For his part, Mohammed Al-Laham, head of the Freedoms Committee at the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, viewed that launching the report from Damascus carries implications related to Syria's stability, praising the historical positions of the Syrian people supporting the Palestinian cause. Al-Laham pointed out that the reality of Palestinian journalism is very difficult, due to Israeli occupation crimes and the continuation of repression and violations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, within the framework of attempts to hide the truth from the world and target journalists and media institutions.
For his part, Abdul Wahab Al-Zugailat, head of the Freedoms Committee at the General Union of Arab Journalists, affirmed that the report's indicators reflect a decline in the state of press freedoms amid the security conditions witnessed by the region. Al-Zugailat stressed the importance of continuing professional training and qualification, and following up on technical and media developments, which contributes to developing journalists' skills and improving their performance and keeping pace with the requirements of journalistic work.
Earlier on Friday, the Standing Committee for Freedoms at the General Union of Arab Journalists issued its annual report on the state of press freedom in the Arab world for the years 2025 and 2026, with the participation of approximately 18 Arab delegations, and in the presence of Minister of Media Khaled Za'arour, Union President Muayad Al-Lami, and Head of the Freedoms Committee at the Union Abdul Wahab Al-Zugailat, during a press conference held in Damascus for the first time after liberation.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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