Syria isn't exactly known for it's shining record on free speech, in fact, its just the opposite. Yet why is such a historically controlling and authoritarian state allowing non-controlled information to its general public? Because it can't stop it. Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, blogs, and the rest of the thousands of millions of ways to broadcast information are causing major cracks in the Syrian government's monopoly on dispersal of information. So much so that the Syrian government is no longer the only DJ on the airwaves. Leading this charge is Honey al-Sayed. While Officially registered as an entertainment station, Honey has been allowed to talk about subjects such as Sex education, child abuse and molestation, anorexia, bulimia, divorce and marital problems, just to name a few. Other upstart new media are magazines such as Forward magazine, which comments on social and political subjects. Sami Mobeyed, the editor says, "'Does your magazine get read by the censors before it goes to newsstands?' And people are surprised when I say no. It used to be. Today, it’s left up to your own best judgment. The magazine is read once it’s out there." These magazines, radio shows,and other public broadcast regulate themselves with "red lines," or rather subjects that to delve into, would be suicide. Yet, these journalists and radio personalities continue to slowly push back this line. Even while the Syrian government allows these new private media, it still tries to block sites like Youtube and Facebook, however, any young Syrian student at a coffee shop can get around these blocks. Most young Syrians use the web as a kind escapism, being able to surf the web freely while living oppressed. This has created the most informed, yet least empowered Syrian generation ever.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129706102
Posted By:
William Ragan
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