Homs, Feb.24 (SANA) Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa stressed the importance of activating the local dimension of media work and promoting an inclusive national discourse that contributes to combating inciting rhetoric.
During a dialogue session held on Tuesday with staff of Homs Information Directorate and representatives of media institutions in the governorate, al-Mustafa discussed the current state of media work in Homs and ways to advance it in line with the requirements of the current phase. Administrative, organisational and professional issues related to the performance of local media institutions were also addressed.
The session further explored mechanisms to reinforce cooperation between the Ministry of Information, represented by Homs Directorate, and media professionals in the province, highlighting their role as partners in regulating media work—particularly following the launch of the Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct. Discussions focused on implementation mechanisms aimed at curbing media disorder.
In a statement to SANA during his visit to Homs, al-Mustafa said the city holds significant symbolic value in the history of the Syrian revolution and remains one of the country’s principal urban centres, forming a central crossroads within the national landscape. He noted that the visit aimed to evaluate the operational reality of the Homs Information Directorate and identify its actual needs.
Al-Mustafa indicated that during the era of the deposed regime, media activity was largely tied to the political centre, with limited effective presence in the provinces. Consequently, information directorates—including that of Homs—were established by official decision to expand local media presence and regulate its work.
He added that during its first year, the Ministry focused on activating national public institutions, including the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Al-Ikhbariya TV, Al-Thawra newspaper, Radio Damascus and the Syrian TV Channel, while currently moving toward empowering local communities to own platforms that reflect their needs.
A/Dh
