Damascus, Feb. 15 (SANA) Director-General of the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Ziad al-Mahamid, announced Sunday the signing of the 2026 Professional and Ethical Media Code of Conduct on behalf of the agency, making SANA the first media institution to formally commit to the charter.
The announcement came during a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Information in Damascus, attended by official, diplomatic, and media representatives, alongside hundreds of journalists and representatives of media institutions and international organizations.
The event was held at the Dama Rose Hotel under the theme “Professional Media… Responsible Word,” marking a milestone in efforts to strengthen professional media standards across Syria.
Commitment to Professional Standards
Al-Mahamid described the code as a foundational step toward regulating and institutionalizing professional media practice in Syria, emphasizing its role in combating misinformation, countering hate speech, and safeguarding civil peace.
“At the Syrian Arab News Agency, our motto has always been ‘News with accuracy and responsibility,’” he said, noting that the agency’s signing of the charter reflects its firm commitment to ethical and professional principles.
Al-Mahamid stressed that the code represents a qualitative step toward regulating public media discourse while preserving press freedoms and reinforcing responsibility and ethical values in journalistic work.
Al-Mohamid added that the initiative establishes the groundwork for a more credible and professional media sector capable of supporting national stability and development.
Strengthening Media Credibility and Responsibility
Editor-in-Chief Omar Faroun affirmed that SANA’s participation reflects its dedication to advancing professional standards and strengthening the principles of accuracy, objectivity, and national responsibility in journalism.
“Our signing of this code confirms our ongoing commitment to media ethics and to delivering reliable content that reflects the truth and serves the public interest,” Faroun said.
He emphasized that improving professional performance begins with voluntary adherence to ethical standards that protect the mission of journalism and reinforce its essential role in building society.
Broad National Participation in Drafting the Code
The Professional and Ethical Media Code of Conduct establishes a comprehensive framework governing journalistic practice, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and objectivity across Syria’s media landscape.
The charter is the result of an unprecedented participatory process involving nearly 1,000 journalists from various Syrian provinces, who contributed over more than five months through dialogue sessions and workshops.
The initiative aims to create a unified national framework that regulates media practice while enhancing freedom of expression within the principles of responsibility and professionalism, reinforcing the role of media as a cornerstone of national development.
