In protest against death threats for Its reporters, Zaman Alwasl blocks its websites for 6 Hours on Sunday

Zaman Alwasl are going to block its websites for 6 Hours next Sunday to express our concern about the ongoing threats of arresting and killing to our reporters and other colleagues on anti-state charges, simply for writing articles critical of the Syrian regime and the opposition, in step to stifle legitimate debate on issues of public interest.

We stop our Electronic broadcast to express our deep concern about the deteriorating state of press freedom in our country.

  Zaman Alwasl has documented several cases of attacks, intimidation, and detention of journalists by Assad's security agents and we are concerned that this harassment has led to self-censorship and even among the local press corps. We urge the Authorities of Syrian opposition to use the power of their office to ensure that journalists are allowed to work freely without harassment and censure from some opposition officials as it happened 10 days ago, Mr. Nazir Hakim, National Coalition member and prominent figure in the Muslim Brotherhood movement, who threatened our reporter in Turkey 'Lma Shammas' by death after accusing her of spying for Assad's regime interest and reporting news that contributed to execute two of his men.

 We demand stop the practices which would restrict online expression on news websites and social media. We will ask for legal and human rights representatives to protect our reporters from any provisions violate the freedom of expression.

 Zaman Alwasl is an independent electronic newspaper, founded in Homs 2005 by Joint efforts of Syrian youth, not sponsored or backed by any political figures or entities.

Our Electronic Sit-In includes (Zaman Alwasl Arabic -Eqtsad - Zaman Alwasl English) also our correspondents in Syria, especially in Aleppo and Edlib governorates until getting guarantees to secure them form the arms of the Armed opposition, on Sunday 9 - 6-2013 for 6 hours, from 6 pm Damascus time until 12 at night. 

The electronic protest is message for the global consciousness to shed the light on our work risks as journalists in Syria with the war.

We quote here what Journalist Marie Colvin said before passing away in Homs 22 February 2012 by regime shells

 "We always have to ask ourselves whether the level of risk is worth the story. What is bravery, and what is bravado? Journalists covering combat shoulder great responsibilities and face difficult choices. Sometimes they pay the ultimate price."

Edited by Mohamed Hamdan