Syrian Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa has assumed the chairmanship of the 55th session of the Arab Ministers of Information Council from Bahrain, marking a significant step in Damascus’ gradual reintegration into regional institutions after years of political isolation.
Speaking at the opening session in Cairo, al-Mustafa said he represented “a Damascus that has shaken off the dust of years” and a people who have “regained their voice.” He described Syria’s new role as symbolic of the country’s return to its “natural place” within the Arab world.
Al-Mustafa presented a vision for a “new Syria,” emphasizing a media landscape grounded in professionalism, objectivity, and respect for pluralism. He said the government aims to replace what he called a heavy legacy of past practices with a responsible media sector committed to dialogue and national cohesion. He also pledged adherence to the Arab Media Code of Ethics as part of rebuilding public trust and supporting social reconciliation after years of conflict.
Highlighting the regional dimension of current media challenges, al-Mustafa pointed to the war in Gaza, which he described as a “deep wound” in Arab and global conscience. He stressed that Arab media carries a responsibility to convey the suffering of Palestinians and to expose the impact of Israeli policies in the occupied territories.
He called on Arab states to seize the opportunities offered by the digital media era, stressing that confronting its challenges requires a unified and joint approach to protect societies from division caused by misleading or extremist content.
Al-Mustafa explained that the Arab world now faces a global media landscape shaped by artificial intelligence and a massive flow of digital information—forces that are driving changes in education, the economy, and the psychological well-being of citizens. He urged countries to leverage these transformations to drive progress and development while addressing the challenges of digital identity.
In the face of cross-border tech giants, al-Mustafa said, individual efforts are no longer sufficient. Joint cooperation, he added, is an existential necessity to tackle pressing issues, especially those affecting the region’s new digital generation, Generation Z.
Concluding his remarks, he said Syria, in its role as chair, will prioritize the development of coordinated Arab media policies and the exchange of technical expertise. The goal, he said, is to move Arab countries from being consumers of digital content to active producers capable of shaping the region’s media landscape.
