Due to the current circumstances that journalists in Syria are facing, including escalating violations that have increasingly burdened them—particularly in recent times, where many journalists have lost their lives, and others have been injured across various regions of Syria—and given the significant number of casualties among journalists and media workers operating within Syrian territories, estimated in the hundreds since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution and the subsequent events of violence and armed conflicts,
We have decided, as part of our commitment to our role as a Syrian institution dedicated to journalism and the protection of journalists and advocates of free speech, to establish the Security Advisory and Risk Management Unit. This initiative is launched in collaboration with Egyptian security consultant Ahmed Al-Ameed, an expert in risk management, who will serve as a founding member and a permanent advisor to the unit. This step reflects our ongoing commitment to safeguarding the lives and well-being of our colleagues across all Syrian territories. We firmly believe that truth and those who speak it must be defended and protected by all means, as they are an essential part of building society and ensuring it functions properly by reflecting reality through cameras and free speech.
We officially announce that this newly established unit is dedicated to providing support and assistance to all Syrian journalists and media workers operating in high-risk environments within Syria. The unit consists of a director, a deputy director, and several active members and specialized advisors, including regional and international experts. It aims to provide journalists with security guidance and instructions to protect them from targeting, kidnapping, injury, or death while on duty. Through structured mechanisms, the unit will offer security information and consultations to guide journalists on safe routes and essential procedures to minimize risks. Additionally, it will ensure secure communication channels through which guidance, follow-up, and support will be provided. Journalists in need of assistance and security advice can contact the unit via email at ([email protected]), where our team will respond and provide the necessary recommendations to help them execute their assignments safely, both physically and digitally.
Furthermore, the unit provides an emergency hotline at (+963 934372067), which is available for urgent situations where journalists require immediate assistance. This includes cases of injury, entrapment, direct threats of assassination or targeted attacks, or any other emergencies that necessitate swift action to ensure their safety. The hotline also facilitates rapid intervention by mobilizing nearby journalists for support and issuing urgent appeals to relevant authorities—whether military or civilian—capable of providing protection and assistance.
Additionally, the unit extends its security services to foreign journalists wishing to enter Syria to cover events. They can reach out through the same communication channels for guidance and support. Moreover, the unit will actively strengthen relationships with international organizations, UN committees, and entities dedicated to journalist safety and combating impunity for crimes against media professionals. This will serve as a pressure tool against armed groups violating international humanitarian law and help document war crimes and crimes against humanity, contributing to efforts toward accountability and justice.
