Al-Wahda Printing and Publishing Institution launched the print edition of Al-Thawra (The Revolution) newspaper during a ceremony held at the National Center for Visual Arts in Damascus. The event, held under the slogan “The Pause of Truth, The Lever of Reconstruction,” marks the first printed newspaper issued in Syria following the country’s liberation from the Assad regime.
A Critical and Responsible Approach
This launch is part of a wider transformation taking place within Syria’s media sector following decades of restricted speech and in a police state. It comes within the framework of reorganizing state institutions, reviving public space, and completing the structure of official media, following the relaunch of the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) and the Al-Ikhbariyah news channel. These efforts aim to support reconstruction and expand the space for public discourse.
The ceremony was attended by several ministers, Arab ambassadors in Damascus, as well as writers, journalists, and intellectuals. Officials from Al-Wahda Foundation and Al-Thawra presented their vision for the newspaper’s role in the upcoming phase. They emphasized the newspaper will adopt a responsible, critical approach that spares no negligent party, aiming to correct mistakes and guide national efforts and serving as an active tool building public consciousness while supporting reconstruction.
Journalism as Responsibility and a Space for Freedom
In his opening address, Editor-in-Chief Nouruddin Ismael described journalism as both a weighty responsibility and a vital space for freedom. He outlined the publication’s commitment to becoming a platform reflecting national aspirations during this pivotal stage, contributing to enlightenment and fostering constructive, transparent dialogue free from the constraints of the previous era. “Our gathering today is to witness the birth of a newspaper worthy of the new Syria, a newspaper that lives up to the sacrifices and sufferings of Syrians over 14 years,” he said.
Khalid al-Khalf, Al-Wahda Institution Director, emphasized journalistic work in Syria is entering a new stage after years in which words were captive to political and security authorities. He noted that the institution has set clear objectives to restore public trust in official media, most notably transforming the newspaper into a bridge of communication between society and government, elevating media awareness, and combating misinformation. This, he said, will allow the newspaper to actively support the reconstruction process, bolster national unity through a unifying discourse, and ensure integration between print and digital media.
The Minister of Information affirmed the paper will serve as a mirror reflecting people’s pain, daily lives, and hopes within a space of free discussion. He added returning to a print edition in the digital age underscores that print media is not merely a platform but also a statement of identity, a symbol of stability in homes and public spaces, and a daily ritual reconnecting citizens with their city and country. He emphasized choosing “the Syrian Revolution” as the newspaper’s name is meant to immortalize the Syrian people’s revolution and distinguish it from the Baath Party’s coup and its destructive legacy.
