Syria state TV relaunches, months after Assad's ouster
Syrian state television officially relaunched on Monday with a trial broadcast almost five months after the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad and following delays blamed on sanctions and dilapidated equipment.
After Syria's new authorities took power in December, state media and other television channels, radio stations and outlets affiliated with Assad's government suspended broadcasting and publishing.
At 5:00 pm (1400 GMT) on Monday, a presenter appeared on television screens, welcoming viewers and announcing the start of a test broadcast of Syria's
Alekhbariah television channel
from Damascus via two satellite providers.
The channel showcased its new branding and broadcast images of Damascus and Ummayad Square, where the Public Authority for Radio and Television headquarters are located, as well as images of correspondents across the country.
"Today, the first official television channel has launched," said new authority chief Alaa Bersilo, vowing it would be "a mediator between the state and society".
He said broadcasting was delayed several times "due to television infrastructure" and "sanctions on the former regime which impacted satellite broadcast efforts".
The channel's director Jamil Srur said: "We were keen on Alekhbariah being fit for the new Syria, and this is what delayed its launch".
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here]
Esseps
Learn More
Undo
In a post on X, Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa called the launch "a very emotional moment", expressing hope that the channel would be help rebuild the national media and be a model for "rebuilding trust" with Syrians.
After forces led by Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took Damascus on December 8 and announced Assad's overthrow, state news agency SANA stopped operating for more than a day before resuming with new staff.
But state television failed to keep up with fast-evolving events, at first broadcasting archive footage and later ceasing transmissions.
The new authorities have cracked down on outlets that were close to the ousted government, particularly Al-Watan daily and Sham FM radio.
For decades, Syria's ruling Baath party and the Assad family dynasty heavily curtailed all aspects of daily life, including freedom of the press and expression, while the media became a tool of those in power and the entry of foreign media was heavily restricted.
Since Assad's fall, outlets in exile or in formerly opposition areas have come to prominence, and foreign journalists have flooded in.
Syria ranks 177 out of 180 countries and territories on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
While Assad's ouster ended "five decades of brutal and violent repression of the press... journalists' newfound freedom remains fragile due to ongoing political instability and mounting economic pressures," according to RSF.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
UK government may have ‘good news' for Apple in the case that Donald Trump said, "something you hear about with China"
The UK government is preparing to retreat from its controversial order forcing Apple to provide backdoor access to encrypted user data, following intense pressure from the Trump administration that threatens vital technology partnerships between the two nations. Senior British officials told the Financial Times that the Home Office will likely abandon its January demand for Apple to break end-to-end encryption on iCloud storage , with US Vice President JD Vance leading opposition to the UK's stance. "The Home Office is basically going to have to back down," one technology department official said, noting Vance's strong objections to the encryption order. The standoff has created significant diplomatic friction, with multiple US officials including President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard all raising concerns about the UK's approach. Trump previously compared the British demand to "something you hear about with China" and reportedly told Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly: "You can't do this." UK-US tech partnerships at risk over privacy battle by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The encryption dispute threatens to derail broader technology cooperation between the allies, particularly around artificial intelligence and data sharing agreements central to Starmer's digital trade strategy. "One of the challenges for the tech partnerships we're working on is the encryption issue," a senior UK official explained. "It's a big red line in the US — they don't want us messing with their tech companies." US officials have warned that the UK order could violate Americans' privacy rights and potentially breach existing data agreements between the countries, with Gabbard calling it an "egregious violation." Apple withdraws secure storage service from UK market In response to the secret government order issued under the Investigatory Powers Act , Apple withdrew its most secure cloud storage service, Advanced Data Protection , from the UK market in February. The tech giant is now challenging the Home Office demand at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, with WhatsApp joining the legal battle in a rare collaboration between Silicon Valley rivals. British officials acknowledge the Home Office has handled the encryption issue "very badly" and now has "its back against the wall" as it seeks an exit strategy from the high-profile privacy confrontation. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Illegal alien monster': Donald Trump after CBP officer shot by immigrant; slams Biden admin
Donald Trump slams Biden administration (Image: AP) US President Donald Trump slammed the Biden administration on Sunday after an off-duty US customs and border protection (CBP) officer was shot in the face by an illegal immigrant in New York City. Trump criticised Biden administration on Truth Social, writing: 'An incredible CBP officer was shot in the face by an illegal alien monster freed into the country under Joe Biden. The CBP officer bravely fought off his attacker, despite his wounds… The Democrats have flooded our nation with criminal invaders… they must all be thrown out or prosecuted.' Trump claimed the suspect had previously been apprehended at the southern border in April 2023 but was released instead of being deported. According to the New York Post, the suspect- identified as 21-year-old Dominican national Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez- has a history of arrests in New York, but was release every time despite a pending deportation order. the department of Homeland security confirmed that Nunez entered the US illegally via the southern border. The incident occurred around 11:50 pm Saturday when the 42-year-old off-duty CBP officer and a female companion were sitting by the Hudson River in Fort Washington Park, Manhattan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ready for a Glow-Up? [Get Your Reading Now] Undo Glow-Up Packages from $15 [Sign Up] Undo Affect Your Future Now! (Book Today) Undo Two men on a moped reportedly ambushed the pair. After a brief scuffle, one of the assailants fired a gun, hitting the officer in the face and left forearm. Despite his injuries, the officer managed to return fire, injuring the suspect, who was later apprehended. Mayor Eric Adams, addressing media outside Harlem Hospital, said authorities are committed to taking dangerous individuals off the streets. 'We've worked closely with federal partners to carry out gang takedowns. But we need stronger federal laws to ensure dangerous people are kept off our streets,' he said.
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kerala University owes its crisis to syndicate's ignorance of act and statutes
In any university, the syndicate is its executive body, chaired by the vice- chancellor. Without the vice-chancellor, the syndicate has no legal or functional existence. However, many mistakenly see the syndicate and the vice-chancellor as separate entities. This statutory ignorance is the root cause of the crisis of the Kerala University. In truth, syndicate members have no individual authority outside their collective role. At the same time, the vice-chancellor is the sole chief executive and academic head of the university. Kerala University, the first in the state, has long upheld the false convention of treating syndicate members as individual authorities. Under this illusion, members have enjoyed undue privileges — such as private offices — believing themselves to be like "ministers" in a university "cabinet," despite having no individual portfolios or administrative powers. Members may serve on standing committees related to academics, administration, examinations and other areas, but these are meant to aid syndicate decision-making faster and do not confer executive authority. Such roles require small meeting rooms, not personal offices. Legally, they are entitled solely to temporary accommodation, whether on campus or elsewhere at the university's expense. Syndicate members are often nominated from various constituencies and may be academically outdated or politically backed individuals, lacking the expertise or vision needed for university growth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Many are unfamiliar with even the basic University Act and Statutes. But when members aligned with the ruling party form a caucus, they may promote narrow agendas. Interestingly, real politicians like MLAs or MPs who serve on syndicates rarely engage in such behaviour. As members, they can protest against the vice-chancellor, but by risking their benefits, responsibilities, the functioning of the university and the justice owed the stakeholders. However, even their unanimous decisions, unless presided over by the vice-chancellor, are legally void. In cases of insubordination, registrars must be aware that their statutory powers ultimately depend on the vice-chancellor's discretion. An academically strong vice-chancellor aware of his power as responsibility will struggle to uphold academic standards and maintain a productive relationship with the syndicate.
