All Syrian Newspapers

A Guide to the Press of Syria: A Media Landscape in Historic Transition

Welcome to your guide to the newspapers and news outlets of Syria, a nation whose media landscape is undergoing a profound and historic transformation. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the country’s long-standing, strictly controlled state media system has collapsed, ushering in a new, uncertain, and hopeful era for the Syrian press.

For decades, there was no independent media within Syria. The press consisted solely of state-run newspapers and broadcasters that served as propaganda mouthpieces for the Ba’ath Party. The civil war that began in 2011 led to the creation of a vibrant and courageous independent media in exile. Today, these two worlds are converging in a fluid and rapidly changing environment.

The Former State Press: An Uncertain Future

The traditional daily newspapers, for years the official voice of the former regime, are in a state of flux. While their names are historic, their future role is being redefined.

• ***Al-Hurriya (Freedom)***: Formerly known as Tishreen, this Damascus-based daily was one of the main state-run publications. Its recent renaming reflects the dramatic political changes.
• ***Al-Thawra (The Revolution)***: Another major official daily newspaper that for decades represented the state’s narrative.
• Al-Ba’ath: As the official newspaper of the former ruling Ba’ath Party, this publication’s future is particularly uncertain.
• ***Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)***: The official state news agency continues to operate, providing official information during the transitional period.

The Return of the Independent Press

The most significant development in the new Syria is the return of the independent press. After more than a decade of operating in exile from countries like Turkey, Germany, and France, these outlets are seeking to re-establish themselves in their homeland.

• ***Enab Baladi (Grapes of My Country)***: A leading independent news outlet, Enab Baladi was founded in secret in a besieged suburb of Damascus in 2011. Forced into exile, it continued to publish high-quality, critical journalism online. In early 2025, it announced its historic return to Damascus, symbolizing a new chapter for free journalism in Syria.
• Other Independent Voices: A multitude of other online news portals, TV channels, and radio stations that formed in opposition to the previous regime (such as Syria TV and The Syrian Observer) are now the primary sources for independent news and analysis on the country’s transition.

A New Era of Freedom and Immense Challenges

For the first time in over half a century, journalists in Syria are experiencing a new level of freedom. The “kingdom of silence” has been broken, and previously taboo subjects are now open for discussion. However, the challenges are immense. The new transitional authorities are still organizing their relationship with the media, leading to bureaucratic hurdles. Furthermore, after years of relying on international donors, the returning independent media faces a severe financial crisis that threatens its survival just when it is needed most.

The Syrian press is at a pivotal and fragile crossroads. Monitoring the news requires looking at both the evolving remnants of the state media and the vital, independent outlets that are striving to build a free press for a new Syria. Explore our collection on w3worldnewspapers.com to follow this historic transformation.