CPJ urges Syrian government to allow journalists to work freely
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged on Monday Syrian transitional authorities to “allow all journalists to work freely,” expressing deep concern over the detention of three journalists and restrictions on independent media coverage in Aleppo’s Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh.
In a statement published on its website, CPJ said the detentions took place after government forces regained control of the two areas following “clashes with Kurdish units affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).”
CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah said the organization was “deeply troubled by the recent press violations in Aleppo that placed journalists — who have already endured severe abuses under the Assad regime — at risk.”
She added that restricting coverage of critical developments to selected journalists and media outlets is a blatant attempt to control the official narrative of events.
On Jan. 10, security forces of the Syrian transitional government briefly detained Rudaw Media Network correspondent Vivyan Fetah, based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and cameraman Aland Issa while they were covering the clashes.
Rudaw’s public relations office told CPJ that the two were accused of terrorism and falsifying facts solely because they are Kurdish. They were released after about 90 minutes.
The same day, military police detained Syria TV correspondent Adnan Emam, based in Istanbul, who works for Syrian Satellite TV, a channel affiliated with Syria’s Ministry of Information, after he filmed a military convoy near Sheikh Maqsoud.
Emam told CPJ he was arrested at around 3:00 p.m. despite holding a Defense Ministry permit, attributing the incident to poor coordination. He was released the following day after about 12 hours in custody and said he was treated well.
CPJ pointed out that during the clashes, most journalists were barred from on-the-ground reporting, and military forces restricted access to large parts of the affected areas.
An independent journalist, speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation, told CPJ that most independent journalists and outlets were prevented from covering the clashes, while pro-government media, including Qatar-based Al Jazeera and Turkey’s TRT, were allowed to report from inside the area.
“It was a clear monopolization of fair journalistic coverage,” the journalist said. “There may be scenes authorities do not want shown to the public. Journalism is meant to reflect reality as it is, not just polished images.”
Responding to CPJ’s inquiries, Omar Haj Ahmad, director general of press affairs at the Ministry of Information, said access restrictions were imposed for security reasons and that journalists were only allowed entry after completing security procedures and inspections.
He added that Emam was detained briefly for routine procedures and described reports about the detention of Vivyan Fetah as inaccurate.
CPJ is a New York–based nonprofit organization dedicated to defending press freedom and protecting journalists’ rights worldwide.