Criteria for distinguishing between criticism and hate speech
In the context of launching the "Word Builds" campaign in Syria to combat hate speech and misinformation, media and legal experts outlined the criteria that distinguish between freedom of expression and hate speech. Journalist Aisha Sabri emphasizes that hate speech is linked to political, social, and media factors, manifesting in racism, incitement, insulting content, and misinformation, including distorting or fabricating news and republishing old materials.
Sabri notes that social media platforms may contribute to the spread of hatred due to algorithms that amplify sensational content, exacerbating narrative conflicts and weakening dialogue. She also points out that some journalists' pursuit of increased engagement without verifying the consequences of publication can ignite disputes, noting that the exploitation of events in the Syrian coast in March 2025 and Sweida in July of the same year intensified hate speech.
Five professional and ethical criteria
Sabri identifies five professional and ethical criteria for distinguishing between criticism and hate speech: the purpose of the material, where criticism seeks reform while hate speech aims at incitement; the subject, as criticism addresses actions and policies while hate speech targets individuals; the language used, with criticism relying on objective and analytical language; evidence and proof, as criticism is based on facts; and the context of publication, through evaluating the environment and political circumstances.
For his part, journalist Khazaa Al-Najm distinguishes between criticism falling under freedom of expression and hate speech, stating that the former addresses policies, decisions, and public crises based on evidence, while the latter targets groups or religious or sectarian components. Al-Najm affirms that criticism is a legitimate right as long as it addresses ideas, but it becomes incitement when it targets people because of their identity.
The legal and international framework
Lawyers' Syndicate President Mohammad Ali Al-Tawil clarifies that international law does not include a unified definition of hate speech, pointing out that Article 20 of the International Covenant prohibits incitement to hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination or violence. He affirms that the Syrian Constitutional Declaration of 2025 guaranteed freedom of opinion and expression, and that any restriction on it must be based on clear and necessary legal provisions.
Al-Tawil noted that Article 307 of the Syrian Penal Code may apply when stirring up racial or sectarian sentiments, with the necessity of proving the elements of the criminal act and respecting the presumption of innocence. He called for ensuring an independent judiciary that does not rely on security reports lacking physical evidence when holding journalists accountable, referring to the "Rabat Plan of Action" issued by the United Nations.
Pathways for regulating the media sector
For her part, the Ministry of Media confirmed that it has been working on two pathways to regulate the media sector since liberation: professional and ethical through launching a code of professional conduct, and legal to complete the draft of the new Media Law. Omar Haj Ahmad also explained that the Ministry is working on forming an independent professional ethics committee to regulate media content.
Mahmoud Abu Rase, Secretary of Professional Affairs at the Syrian Journalists Union, clarified that the draft new Media Law has reached its final stages and will soon be submitted to the People's Council. The new law guarantees freedom of opinion and expression and the right to access information, and grants journalists legal immunity preventing their arrest or search except in the case of a flagrant crime and after official notification to the Union.
The Ministry of Media affirmed that the "Damascus Declaration" on press freedom and media solidarity, launched by the Arab Journalists Union under its patronage on October 18, 2026, called for consolidating professional ethics to combat media misinformation and develop joint mechanisms to protect journalists.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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