ACTIVITY REPORT
2015
WHO WE ARE ASML/Syria was established in 2011 by Syrians who believed in the democratic ideal of an independent media landscape which can inform, engage, and empower citizens. It was the beginning of the uprising and aspiring citizen journalists were showing promise. Since then, our project teams have led large-scale initiatives which have revolutionised the media landscape – we worked on restoring telecommunication infrastructure, set up printing houses and FM networks across a war-torn country, and accompanied journalists in their pursuit of establishing credible newspapers and radio stations. The country is suffering from an internationalised crisis which is tearing apart communities and destroying infrastructure. However, a resilient civil society fuelled by a pluralistic media landscape is in place – though the path towards a stable democracy will be arduous and plagued with challenges, the media will help to facilitate a transparent and representative transition.
FOREWORD
Civil society is the root of any functioning democracy. Informed, engaged, and empowered communities are effective counterweight to the power held by political actors. In conflicts, and civil wars in particular, vociferous grassroots voices are more necessary than ever – with the collapse of infrastructure and the proliferation of unaccountable armed actors, civil society is left to uphold the rights of the ordinary citizen. In Syria, the media landscape which emerged out of the 2011 uprising is embedded in civil society, more so than in any other country. Before the crisis, Syria’s media landscape was monopolized by a self-serving clique within the government and dissenting voices have always been suppressed with little hesitation.1 It is within this context that we must appreciate the transformation that Syria has undergone. A study carried out in 2015 estimated that 268 magazines had been set up since 20112, in addition to about 30 radio stations, several TV channels and countless online platforms. Such fearless resilience is a reassuring demonstration of what can be achieved in Syria and a victory for freedom of expression. These outlets are now experienced and trained so they have the ability to inform, engage, and empower communities to play a meaningful role in any political transition. ASML/Syria continues to implement innovative and impactful projects in partnership with media outlets which seek the truth and engage citizens on the issues that matter. Our partners are both non-partisan observers of the bloodshed but also bastions of the traditional Syrian values of tolerance and peace.
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In 2010, Syria ranked 173rd out of 178 in the “Reporters Without Borders” Press Freedom Index Syrian Print Media Catalogue, March 2015.
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2015 IN BRIEF The conflict in Syria is tragically protracted and bloody and 2015 has offered little respite. This year has witnessed a tragic escalation as, in September, the Russian Government decided to significantly increase their intervention. Under the guise of combating Daesh, Russian warplanes have targeted the moderate opposition in an attempt to tilt the balance of power in favour of the Syrian regime. Merely a month after they began their offensive, Russian warplanes struck a field hospital in Sarmin, near Idlib. Two months later, six Russian airstrikes hit a busy market place in Idlib, killing 43 and wounding many more. Russian intervention is the last stepping stone of the evolution of the Syrian conflict : from a popular uprising to a proxy-war where regional hegemony is at stake, at the expense of the country’s citizens. However, regardless of how diplomatic progress is made, the sustainability of any political settlement will depend on the consent of local populations that have endured unbelievable hardship over the past four years. A vibrant civil society that can express its needs and expectations is therefore essential for any prospect of peaceful transition. ASML/Syria believe that the media has a central role in achieving this goal.
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ASML/SYRIA
MEDIA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM The Media Development Program was started in April 2013 to facilitate the establishment of a grassroots media landscape that contributes positively to Syria’s transition towards a stable and peaceful democracy. The portfolio helps to establish and foster of credible and influential media outlets and the multiplatform dissemination of their content across the country. ASML/Syria refined and expanded the portfolio throughout 2015.
1/ Support to Local and
2/ Support to Youth Magazines
ASML/Syria provided substantial support to 13 independent media outlets via a core funding mechanism. 12 magazines and one radio station was supported. Two of the beneficiaries specialize in youth-focused media, one in infographics, and one in gender. Enab Baladi, Souriatna, Henta, Oxygen, Zaiton, Sada al-Sham, Zaiton wa Zaitonah, Tamadun, Saiedet Souria, Daouda, Zawrak, Ein Infographics, and Radio Damascus all received funding over the year. Towards the end of 2015, ASML/Syria started to prioritise youthfocused media.
In early 2015, ASML/SYRIA increased the level of support to youth-focused magazines for both security-related and strategic reasons. Regarding security, printing news magazines became impossible due to the hostility of armed groups. Strategically, protecting children has become crucial for countering extremists’ influence. Syrian children have witnessed unimaginable hardship and their entire worldview has been shaped by bloodshed. The closure of schools is an opportunity for radical groups that try to enrol them. Children-focused magazines provide children with educational and psychosocial material and fill the void left by the failure of the school system.
National Independent Media
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Name
Type
Specialisation
Enab Baladi
Magazine
General
Souriatna
Magazine
General
Henta
Magazine
General
Oxygen
Magazine
General
Zaiton
Magazine
Local media - Idleb
Sada al-Sham
Magazine
General
Zaiton wa Zaitonah
Magazine
Youth-focused
Tamadun
Magazine
General
Saiedet Souria
Magazine
Women-focused
ASML/Syria’s support to the NAI Network included:
Daouda
Magazine
General
Zawrak
Magazine
Youth-focused
Ein Infographics
Magazine
Data visualization
Radio Damascus
Radio
General
▶▶ Organisational Strategy Formation: ASML/Syria assisted the NAI network in establishing a charter and constructing their policies as an organisation; ▶▶ Meeting coordination: ASML/Syria coordinated regular meetings between the NAI Network members, facilitating joint activities. ▶▶ Training: Our work with youth-focused organizations is expected to continue into 2016.
ASML/Syria have helped to establish and build a consortium of youth-focused magazines. These magazines are fulfilling an essential duty to the next generation of Syrians who will be inheriting a country devastated by infrastructural collapse and cultural disintegration. These magazines uphold values of peace and tolerance. The project has been conducted with comprehensive monitoring mechanisms, allowing us to gather information on specific outputs of the project. This has enabled us to document our successes and fine-tune our methodologies for future interventions.
3/ Justice In October, ASML/Syria launched a new initiative to reinforce legal systems and the rule of law inside Syria. Justice frameworks inside Syria are largely fragmented, unaccountable, and controlled by armed groups. Local populations lack a basic awareness of their rights and how courts should function so there is little transparency or accountability. It has been demonstrated that a more informed and engaged public makes courts more inclined to adopt sound legal principles and better represent the needs and expectations of local communities. We are working closely with media outlets on the following activities: ▶▶ Court Monitoring – Correspondents and researchers in ASML/Syria’s network are gathering information on the courts and providing reports to media outlets. This is improving the way in which journalists are able to report on the key issues which affect audiences.
▶▶ Training – ASML/Syria is running training workshops to help journalists inform their audiences about legal matters. As aspiring journalists, very few understand the complexity of the legal systems. ASML/Syria’s workshops are being run to help the journalists in our network navigate these complexities and provide constructive, well-researched, and informative information through their newspapers and radio stations. ▶▶ Content Production – ASML/Syria is coordinating the production of print and FM content with partner media outlets. This production ties in with our training programme and court monitoring, ensuring a comprehensive and coherent methodology. ASML/Syria worked with its partners to produce video documentaries, investigative reports, radio programs, news agency wires etc.
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PRINTING AND
DISTRIBUTION
ASML/Syria successfully printed and distributed six youth-focused magazines throughout 2015. Over 350,000 copies of high-quality magazines were printed and distributed in 16 areas of Idleb governorate, 11 areas of Aleppo governorate, and 9 areas of Damascus. This was carried out in cooperation with 40 schools and educational centres and 6 kindergartens. Tens of thousands of copies of the following 6 youth-focused magazines were distributed in Aleppo, Damascus, and Idlib: Zayton wa Zaytonah, Teen Bal, Tayara Waraq, Qos Qozah, Zawraq and Sununu.
ASML/Syria overcame many challenges throughout 2015, including printing and distributing magazines in besieged areas (Damascus eastern Ghouta) and ensuring a steady distribution despite the border with Turkey is increasingly often closed. Distribution figures were particularly high between September and December due to all three printing centres operating simultaneously.
ALEPPO A total of 58,935 copies of our partner magazines were distributed in Aleppo. Between April and December, all copies distributed in Aleppo were printed in the Idlib printing centre and transported across to Aleppo. In August 2015, it was impossible to transport necessary equipment across a border crossing that was temporarily closed in the north. The distribution
was therefore very low in that month. ASML/Syria successfully collaborated with local groups and institutions which enabled distributors to ensure the magazines reached the target audience. These groups included 11 schools, 1 education centre and 5 kindergartens across 11 neighbourhoods across Aleppo city and countryside.
DAMASCUS A total of 23,177 copies of our partner magazines were distributed in Ghouta, Damascus. Operating in Ghouta was extremely difficult throughout 2015. For the first six months, the siege prevented ASML/Syria from transporting any ink or paper so printing was made impossible. However, from August onwards,
ASML/Syria successfully printed and distributed five of the youth-focused magazines. The distribution was carried out in collaboration with a range of different groups and institutions including six schools, a psychological support centre, and an educational centre.
IDLIB A total of 269,890 copies of our partner magazines were distributed in Idlib. While still problematic, ASML/ Syria encountered fewer obstacles to operating in Idlib. As aforementioned, it was impossible to transport necessary equipment across a border crossing that was temporarily closed in the north in August 2015.
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This resulted in a brief interruption in operations during that month. Printing continued in Idlib from September 2015. The distribution was carried out in collaboration with a wide variety of institutions including 12 schools, 5 education centres and 1 kindergarten.
DISTRIBUTION IN ALEPPO Number of copy Jan-15
3%
Feb-15
6%
Mar-15 Apr-15
19%
31%
23%
18%
May-15 Jun-15 Jul-15 Aug-15 Sep-15 Oct-15 Nov-15 Dec-15 0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
• Distribution ● Zayton & Zaytonah ● Teen Baal ● Tayara Warak ● Zawrak ● Qaus Quzah ● Sununu
DISTRIBUTION IN DAMASCUS Number of copy Jan-15
13%
Feb-15 Mar-15 Apr-15
26%
May-15 Jun-15
18%
Jul-15 Aug-15 Sep-15 Oct-15
24%
Nov-15 Dec-15 0
1000
2000
3000
4000
19%
5000
• Distribution ● Zayton & Zaytonah ● Teen Baal ● Tayara Warak ● Zawrak ● Qaus Quzah
DISTRIBUTION IN IDLIB Number of copy Jan-15
3%
Feb-15
7%
Mar-15 Apr-15
20%
28%
23%
19%
May-15 Jun-15 Jul-15 Aug-15 Sep-15 Oct-15 Nov-15 Dec-15 0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
• Distribution ● Zayton & Zaytonah ● Teen Baal ● Tayara Warak ● Zawrak ● Qaus Quzah ● Sununu
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OUR PARTNERS Tayara Waraq This bi-monthly magazine targets 7-14 year olds and specialises in psychosocial support. Its core objective is to alleviate anxiety, depression and grief. The magazine aims to provide entertainment and education while also nurturing the values of tolerance and understanding among children. The magazine educates them about peace, helps them to develop a
team spirit, and builds their skills in problem solving and cooperation. Crucially, the magazine helps children who experienced violence first-hand allowing them to become a generation that can overcome the challenges that Syria will face. ▶▶ Website: tayarawarak.com
Zawraq This monthly magazine targets 5-10 year olds. It is educational but also offers psychosocial support to Syrian children. Pages are dedicated to comics, poetry, stories, history, cinema (cartoons), education, a personality (e.g. painter), drawing lessons, and games.
There is also a regular feature which tells the story of a young refugee, connecting those inside the country to people who have been displaced. ▶▶ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ zawrakmag?fref=photo
Zayton wa Zaytonah This monthly magazine targets 5 to 12 year olds. The objectives of the magazine have been to provide an educational resource to children but also to offer psychosocial support. This magazine was started by a former schoolteacher in reaction to the closure of schools in early 2013. The content was inspired by the Syrian state school curriculum and the magazine partnered with local schools. In order to increase the
participatory nature of the magazine, a club has been established where children can send letters to the magazine’s staff, play games and hear stories told. The content focuses on literature, history, science, geography, drawing, colouring, quizzes, children’s drawing/contributions and English language learning. ▶▶ Website: http://zandzmag.com/
Kaws Qozah This monthly magazine targets 6-12 year olds. The three core objectives of the magazine are education, psychosocial help, and skill development. The editor believes that magazines are obviously not the ideal way to educate children but that in the current situation, it is the best way to reach a large number of young people. The psychosocial support is very much
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indirect. It is carried out via stories, comics, games, handwriting/calligraphy, various skills and crafts. This magazine is part of a larger organisation called ‘Olive Branch’ which runs night schools in Dera’a’. This gives them the opportunity to engage with children directly. Furthermore, they have their own printing capability.
Teen Bal This monthly magazine targets 11 to 16 year olds, an older target age range than the other magazines. The objective of the magazine is to provide informative and educational material to young Syrians in a way that respects their age and experiences. The magazine seeks to promote values of peace, equality, freedom and justice. They explore Syrian identity and promote the positive aspects of Syrian cultural history, raising
awareness of the values of patriotism, freedom and justice that are inherent in the true Syrian way of life. The content is tailored the specific age group, ensuring that it is educational while avoiding treating the readers like children. They use comics and cartoons that appeal to this age group, as well as a range of visual products which achieve the desired outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY Always seeking to innovate in approaches to media, ASML/Syria are currently producing advocacy videos that transports the viewer into the heart of the action using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. The dedicated headset used to watch VR films disconnects the viewer from the world as they know it and enables them to experience the story without distraction. As opposed to conventional videos where the cameraman decides where to point the camera, VR technology gives the audience that choice. This creates a more engaging experience for the viewer. By harnessing this technology, the experience is more vivid, personal, immersive and emotive, thereby increasing empathy – the key to effective advocacy.
Our first film “Syria: The Battle for the North”, covering the battle of Jisr al-Shoughour can be seen on Youtube. This film attracted 600,000 views and was promoted widely over 130 different international media organizations including the Washington Post, Le Monde, and Al-Jazeera. We have been invited to several international festivals: Tous écrans in Switzerland, FIVARS in Toronto, and the world-famous Prix Bayeux-Calvados for War Reporters as special guest for the closing ceremony. ASML/Syria have partnered with Okio Report, a French production house, and SMART, a long-term partner.
FIVARS
September 2015
Toronto, Canada
Tous écrans
November 6 - 14 2015
Geneva, Switzerland
Le forum des images
November 14-22 2015
Paris, France
Prix Bayeux- Calvados des reporters de guerre
November 19 2015
Bayeux, France
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