World Press Freedom Day

Press Release

Syrian Coalition

May 3, 2014

On the 21th anniversary of World Press Freedom day, the Syrian Coalition pays tribute to the courageous journalists, activists, citizen correspondents, and bloggers who are risking their lives on a daily basis to tell the truth of what is happening in Syria.

Freedom of expression has been heavily restricted in Syria during more than 40 years of the Assad family rule. Journalists and activists have been intimidated, arrested, tortured, and killed in Syria for merely reporting the truth.

Since the uprising began in 2011, the Assad regime has systematically targeted journalists as well as local citizen correspondents. Extremist groups have also abducted journalists and tried to silence voices of truth in areas under their control. Syria has become the world’s most dangerous place to be a journalist.

The Assad regime continues to detain hundreds of activists including Mazin Darwish, human rights lawyer and head of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM). The founder of the Violations Documentation Centre (VDC) in Syria, Razan Zaitouneh, has also been abducted on December 9, 2013, and her voice silenced.

The Syrian Coalition and the Free Syrian Army reiterate their long standing commitment to defending freedom of speech and protecting journalists across Syria.

May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.