Published On 1/12/2025
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Last update: 13:04 (Mecca time)
With the entry of artificial intelligence into the world of journalism and the great acceleration in the growth of digital platforms, there are still those who believe in the importance of print journalism and preserving its historical legacy.
In Syria, the new state is preparing today, Monday, to launch the first official newspaper after the fall of the regime of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
But the history of print journalism in Syria is long and ancient, as the country was once one of the most active countries in the Middle East in this field.
The “Syria Now” platform highlighted a report that tells the story of the printed press in the country, and indicates that it began more than 170 years ago, specifically in 1851, when the first periodical publication was issued in Syria under the name “Majma’ al-Fawa’id Magazine.”
Despite the lack of printing presses and the restrictions of Ottoman censorship, the official newspaper “Suriya” appeared in 1865, which was published in Arabic and Ottoman Turkish, at a moment that marked the birth of the printed press in the Levant.
With the end of Ottoman rule and the beginning of the French Mandate, the Syrian press witnessed an explosion of activity and creativity. In Damascus alone, dozens of newspapers appeared.
In 1919, “Al-Ayyam Newspaper” was founded, then in 1920 “Alif Baa Newspaper” appeared, which became the voice of the national street critical of the mandate and authority.
With the imminent launch of the first official newspaper after the fall of the regime.. Can the print press regain its role in Syria? pic.twitter.com/Ej8rhxLJUL
– SyriaNow – Syria Now (@AJSyriaNow) November 30, 2025
In the 1940s and 1950s, the Syrian press reached its peak, and was characterized by boldness, diversity, and openness to public debate and political criticism, as well as interest in literature and culture. Damascus and Aleppo, along with other cities and governorates, were real arenas for freedom of expression.
But on March 8, 1963, with the Baath Party coming to power, according to some observers, the media scene changed radically. Alef Baa stopped publishing, private and independent newspapers were closed, and licensing for new newspapers was banned.
With the arrival of the late President Hafez al-Assad to power in 1970, his regime established complete control over the media, and the official press was limited to three main newspapers: “Al-Thawra,” which is considered the mouthpiece of the government, “Al-Baath,” which is considered the mouthpiece of the Baath Party, and “Tishreen” newspaper, which is the mouthpiece of the state.
During the reign of Bashar al-Assad, the country witnessed a limited margin of openness. Newspapers such as “Our Country” and “Al-Watan” were published, but they remained linked to the interests of influential people close to the authority, and censorship returned again under slogans such as “media security” and “combat disinformation.”
After 2011, with the start of the Syrian revolution, Syrian print newspapers lost most of their readers, and information moved to the digital space, while independent journalism moved abroad.
Today, with the Ministry of Information announcing the imminent publication of the first official paper newspaper after liberation, which is Al-Thawra newspaper, the official newspaper has special importance, as it is:
- First, it represents the state’s official narrative and clearly communicates its positions.
- Secondly, news and decisions are historically preserved in a paper copy that cannot be tampered with.
- Thirdly, it constitutes a legal reference for publishing laws, regulations and official communications.
- Finally, it protects the public record from digital hacking or modification of content after it has been published.