Blog6: Media in Syria

* In this week, I learned a lot of countries' media in Middle East. In common, media in Middle East is strict controlled by government. Then, I was wondered what is civilizations' entertainment in such a restrained media countries. Generally speaking, now is the media-entertainment generation. Of course, media is one of methods of getting information but I think the entertainment aspect is really important. From the class lecture, Syria is the one of most media controlled countries. So, I am interested in Syria's entertainment TV channels. In this blog, I will show the Syria's media control,  one of Organizations which is making efforts toward media free, and finally Syria's entertainment channel.

-According to BBC news's Syria media profile, Syria was the world's deadliest country in 2014. Syria is actually " enforce an information dictatorship" country. The government and ruling party operate broadcast and print media. Media in government-controllled areas are strongly supportive of the president. While, Satellite TV is the most popular medium and non-Syrian TVs have big audience. Also, radio and internet are key platforms for Syria's opposition media. Some radio stations are run by NGOs, with Western support. In the terms of Internet, there are 5.9 million users, by 2014. There are heavy government controls like filtering but still internet service, such as Facebook, is used to platform for journalists or some dissenting civilizations.
-I could know how strict the government restraint media is, especially TV broadcast and print media. On the other hand, I could know that people are using media for entertainment too, like Satellite TV. Also a number of watching un-Syrian TV programs show people's interest out of country. Radio and internet take really important rules because people who are challenging media free need methods of transmitting or exchanging opinions, even though these media are still watched by government.

-Related with acting toward media free, as I mentioned, there are a lot of victims, who are  heroes fighting with enormous knowledge and courage against government or other forces. I found an organization homepage, Free Syria's Silenced Voice. This is an organization gathered by some international, regional and Syrian organization in order to the campaign for the release of civil society activities, media and medical workers arbitrarily detained forcibly disappeared in Syria, through  documentation, raising awareness, advocacy and mobilization. Inside the page, there are many heroes' photos with explanation about the date they are arrested, abducted or even killed. This is really shocked for me. They didn't do anything wrong! They were just trying to get media free which is of course the right for citizens! At the same time, I was surprised about this strong messages because if people say something against government, they are always exposed fear of death. I just want everyone outside of Syria to know these fact and their courage.

-Finally, as I said, I was interested in Syria's entertainment channel. I searched and found one of some, which is Syrian National TV. The introduction says that it is Syrian Satellite Channel which providing a variety of general-interest programs. The channel is owned by RTV Syria and broadcasting mostly Arabic but also English or some languages. This shows the entertainment aspect of Satellite TV. Also showing the people's connection with other countries because they can watch some foreign programs. In my opinion, civilization needs outside power to get their media free. In order to that, the TV broadcasting is going to be the entrance for Syria's connection with other countries. I hope finally people could get media free in the near future.