(Zaman Al Wasl)- The Syrian regime’s economic crisis led to the ultimate cessation of financial support to pro-Bashar al-Assad’s media outlets and journalists, official sources revealed.
Sha’aban Aboud, a Washington-based journalist, noted in his Facebook page, that media support for newspapers, TV channels and private news sites had been interrupted by the economic crisis. This had a negative effect on the loyalist Syrian media.
Aboud pointed out that it is customary for the Arab Advertising Organization to provide support for these media outlets in addition to Arab media personalities who support and stand with the regime. However, this year, media owners did not receive a penny of that support, which some describe as “shameful.”
Aboud suggested that media official in the presidential palace, Luna Alshebel, wasbehind the suspension of support, as she holds the actual power over Syrian media, while the Minister of Information is just a mere employee.
Zaman al-Wasl communicated with the journalist Shaaban Aboud, a reporter for Syria TV in Washington, who pointed out that not only the stifling economic crisis led to the decision to stop the support, but also that the regime now feels triumphant, that it no longer needs media and all loyalist voices after they achieved their desired purpose.
“The regime is now aware that the issue goes beyond them and that the real support comes he from allied countries like Russia and Iran,’’ he added.
The regime may have needed these voices at the beginning of the revolution as part of the campaign to promote its version of events, creating a narrative where there are people who are against the revolution, that the regime is right. Today, however, the regime believes that it moved beyond that stage and that the alignments are set and over with.
He ruled out that loyalist figures would change their positions and alignment because of his cessation, that “they will continue to bet on the regime and on the possibility of overcoming the crisis and the return of support again, some may think it is a temporary phase,” he says.
He added that they may be looking for parties that would support them financially, but they will look in the same circle of regime allies, particularly Iran, the biggest supporter of the regime, which is now under sanctions and siege and cannot do much for them.
According to his sources within the Syrian Ministry of Information, the decision may be temporary, as there are information suggesting that it will be canceled, which is uncertain.
“The Lebanese media that receives support from the regime, have no credibility or a large presence,” said the journalist who worked as a correspondent for the Lebanese daily An-Nahar in Damascus for years. “But at the same time, we must not forget that there are political and sectarian alignments, interests and competition among politicians that make them race to win the satisfaction of the regime, feeling it to be strong and influential despite the withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon.”
“They got used, since the Syrian presence in Lebanon, to resort to cheap methods to obtain political and financial support. Some of them see their relationship with the regime as a source of livelihood, but they lack credibility and respect at the Arab level, as people see them as mere paid tools,” he continued.
The Arab Advertising Organization often takes the role of mediator between the regime and its trumpets and the Lebanese media, by directly giving them advertisements or financial assistance.
He added, “While he regime does not broadcast it, but everyone knows the formula and mechanisms of support. Sometimes support is provided to loyalist figures, who, in turn, support the media by securing special and minor demands and taking their interests into account.”
Aboud played down the impact of the economic crisis on the regime’s official and private media. According to him, some private media may be forced to close if the crisis persists, but the majority will wait and accept the reality, finding justifications for the crisis and the regime.
The source pointed out that “all government and private media do not have the decision on their fate or continuity, as they carry out what is ordered by security institutions and the government. They can only accept everything and anything that is offered to them. When some of them are asked to shut down, they will and will not even complain or oppose, because they were all created by the regime, who is the only supporter, financier, and decider of their fate.”
Zaman Al Wasl
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