Syrian authorities released two journalists on Thursday, May 1, who had been wrongfully detained, highlighting what officials describe as a shift away from decades of media repression under the Assad regime.
Journalists Akram Saleh and Joudi Haj Ali were freed after the Ministry of Information intervened with security forces. They had been detained on Wednesday while covering a local assignment. Syrian Information Minister Hamza Almustafa confirmed their release in a post on social media.
“They were wrongfully arrested by a security agency while carrying out their media work,” Almustafa wrote on Facebook, alongside a photo of him receiving the two journalists. “As soon as we learned of the matter, we took immediate action and contacted the relevant authorities, whereupon they were released.”
Almustafa said the ministry remains committed to press freedom and protecting journalists. “We affirm our full support for freedom of journalism and our constant commitment to preserving the dignity of our media colleagues and ensuring they carry out their duties with complete freedom and responsibility,” he added.
First Press Freedom Day in a Free Syria
The release comes as Syria seeks to repair its international image and transition from years of strict censorship and intimidation that defined the Assad era. Government officials have pledged reforms aimed at creating space for independent journalism, although challenges remain.
The timing is symbolic as it came just days before World Press Freedom Day—marked annually on May 3—which honors journalists who risk their lives to report the truth. In 2024, 82 journalists were killed worldwide, according to UNESCO, up from 74 in 2023.
“Only through journalism do we see the full picture,” UNESCO said in a statement. “On this World Press Freedom Day, we honor all those who bring facts to light—despite the danger.”
UNESCO has taken a leading role in protecting journalists, offering legal and psychological support, and coordinating global responses to threats. It intervenes in more than 200 cases annually and has provided hundreds of emergency grants to journalists in conflict zones like Ukraine.
A New Era for Media Activism
In Syria, while past governments often silenced reporters through imprisonment and violence, the current administration has publicly committed to reversing that trend. Observers remain cautious but note that high-profile responses like Thursday’s intervention mark a potential shift in official behavior.
Saleh and Haj Ali have not spoken publicly since their release, but local media unions welcomed the move and called for clearer protections to prevent such arrests in the future.
As Syria joins the global community in recognizing the importance of press freedom, the release of the two journalists offered a rare moment of alignment with international norms—and a reminder of the work still ahead.
