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BBC documentary examines Syria's state TV channel al Ikhbariya BBC documentary examines Syria's state TV channel al Ikhbariya
(7 months later)
What's it like to represent one of the world's most reviled regimes? At the very heart of Damascus, opposite the army's chief of staff headquarters – crippled by car bombs in September – stands a building with a shiny blue facade, topped by towers of satellite dishes. In front a big screen proudly emits what the building produces – the world according to Syrian state TV. It's the frontline in a "media war" that the Syrian government sees itself as waging against the outside world. And the newest and youngest weapon in this war is the Syrian News Channel, al Ikhbariya, a satellite channel combating such hostile voices as al Jazeera, al Arabia and, many staff there said, the BBC. This is where we spent three weeks making a documentary for BBC Arabic, which was broadcast on Saturday and Sunday.What's it like to represent one of the world's most reviled regimes? At the very heart of Damascus, opposite the army's chief of staff headquarters – crippled by car bombs in September – stands a building with a shiny blue facade, topped by towers of satellite dishes. In front a big screen proudly emits what the building produces – the world according to Syrian state TV. It's the frontline in a "media war" that the Syrian government sees itself as waging against the outside world. And the newest and youngest weapon in this war is the Syrian News Channel, al Ikhbariya, a satellite channel combating such hostile voices as al Jazeera, al Arabia and, many staff there said, the BBC. This is where we spent three weeks making a documentary for BBC Arabic, which was broadcast on Saturday and Sunday.
The channel hasn't always been here. Its initial home, an all-mod-cons studio complex in Damascus's Drousha district, was raided last June by al Nusra, a jihadi wing of the Free Syrian Army. Three journalists and four technicians were killed, and the entire building gutted. Al Ikhbaria is an arm of a regime waging war against the Syrian people, said Al Nusra. Two months later, al Ikhbariya's new, secure premises were rocked by the next bomb – wrecking a studio. No one claimed responsibility this time, but the security forces clearly suspected an inside job. Who else has access to this high-security building? In recent months 12 staff members have been detained and questioned. One died in custody and another is missing.The channel hasn't always been here. Its initial home, an all-mod-cons studio complex in Damascus's Drousha district, was raided last June by al Nusra, a jihadi wing of the Free Syrian Army. Three journalists and four technicians were killed, and the entire building gutted. Al Ikhbaria is an arm of a regime waging war against the Syrian people, said Al Nusra. Two months later, al Ikhbariya's new, secure premises were rocked by the next bomb – wrecking a studio. No one claimed responsibility this time, but the security forces clearly suspected an inside job. Who else has access to this high-security building? In recent months 12 staff members have been detained and questioned. One died in custody and another is missing.
Journalists here walk along a knife-edge. Two days before we arrived, a cameraman had been killed in the turbulent town of Deir Al-Zour – by the Free Syrian Army, we were told – bringing the total to five deaths in a year. Death threats by text or on Facebook, or by handwritten notes in their lockers at work, are common, as they are for other state media workers. Many journalists didn't want to be filmed, for security reasons. And we didn't expect anyone to voice criticisms of president Bashar Assad, whose portrait and photographs graced almost every room.Journalists here walk along a knife-edge. Two days before we arrived, a cameraman had been killed in the turbulent town of Deir Al-Zour – by the Free Syrian Army, we were told – bringing the total to five deaths in a year. Death threats by text or on Facebook, or by handwritten notes in their lockers at work, are common, as they are for other state media workers. Many journalists didn't want to be filmed, for security reasons. And we didn't expect anyone to voice criticisms of president Bashar Assad, whose portrait and photographs graced almost every room.
Under one of them, in jeans and t-shirt, sat Yara Saleh, a 27-year-old rising star of the station. She was more than happy to be filmed, and was just back from filming with the Syrian Army. It was an assignment that we had wanted to see for ourselves, but repeated requests and negotiations led to nothing. When we watched Yara edit her piece, its tone was very clear.Under one of them, in jeans and t-shirt, sat Yara Saleh, a 27-year-old rising star of the station. She was more than happy to be filmed, and was just back from filming with the Syrian Army. It was an assignment that we had wanted to see for ourselves, but repeated requests and negotiations led to nothing. When we watched Yara edit her piece, its tone was very clear.
"In this mission we accompanied the brave Arabic Syrian Army, flushing out the remnants of the terrorists in Damascus Eastern Ghota," Yara opened her report. "We came back with video evidence proving Damascus Eastern Ghota has been emptied of terrorist armed groups. The brave men accompanied us in, and brought us out with them.""In this mission we accompanied the brave Arabic Syrian Army, flushing out the remnants of the terrorists in Damascus Eastern Ghota," Yara opened her report. "We came back with video evidence proving Damascus Eastern Ghota has been emptied of terrorist armed groups. The brave men accompanied us in, and brought us out with them."
What the report didn't mention is that Eastern Ghota, like many of Damascus's suburbs, is regularly pounded by the Syrian airforce and artillery. Casualties are often civilians. What did Yara think of the damage to civilian homes?What the report didn't mention is that Eastern Ghota, like many of Damascus's suburbs, is regularly pounded by the Syrian airforce and artillery. Casualties are often civilians. What did Yara think of the damage to civilian homes?
"We say the destruction in Syria is because of the armed groups, but we don't say they are the only ones who do it," she explained. "But in the end responsibility for what's going on in Syria lies with the armed groups, because they are the ones that dragged the country into this cycle of war and weapons.""We say the destruction in Syria is because of the armed groups, but we don't say they are the only ones who do it," she explained. "But in the end responsibility for what's going on in Syria lies with the armed groups, because they are the ones that dragged the country into this cycle of war and weapons."
Four days later, 14 bodies were dug out of the rubble of an apartment block in the same area, as were another 13 nearby. Al Ikhbariya didn't report that.Four days later, 14 bodies were dug out of the rubble of an apartment block in the same area, as were another 13 nearby. Al Ikhbariya didn't report that.
Syria is a dangerous place for any journalist. On 10 August, Yara travelled to the Damascus suburb of Al Tell, the scene of heavy fighting. She and her three al Ikhbariya colleagues believed the area was back in the hands of the Syrian Army. They were wrong. What exactly happened in Al Tell is disputed. Both sides in Syria have manipulated events for propaganda purposes. It seems that Yara's vehicle was stopped by the Free Syrian Army (FSA). According to her, once they discovered which station the journalists were from, they started to beat them and apprehended the group.Syria is a dangerous place for any journalist. On 10 August, Yara travelled to the Damascus suburb of Al Tell, the scene of heavy fighting. She and her three al Ikhbariya colleagues believed the area was back in the hands of the Syrian Army. They were wrong. What exactly happened in Al Tell is disputed. Both sides in Syria have manipulated events for propaganda purposes. It seems that Yara's vehicle was stopped by the Free Syrian Army (FSA). According to her, once they discovered which station the journalists were from, they started to beat them and apprehended the group.
The following day, a video appeared on the internet, showing Yara, her cameraman Aboud Tabra and driver Hossam Imad sitting in front of an FSA flag. Yara is wearing a hijab and is fidgeting nervously. She is asked how she has been treated. "The Free Syrian Army were really nice to us, and provided us with protection. Al Tell city is being shelled constantly."The following day, a video appeared on the internet, showing Yara, her cameraman Aboud Tabra and driver Hossam Imad sitting in front of an FSA flag. Yara is wearing a hijab and is fidgeting nervously. She is asked how she has been treated. "The Free Syrian Army were really nice to us, and provided us with protection. Al Tell city is being shelled constantly."
And there is more bad news. A uniformed man informs viewers that Hatim Abu Yehia, a camera assistant, was "martyred", along with two FSA soldiers, in a barrage from the Syrian army. The man then asks for the shelling of the area to cease. Negotiations for the return of Yara and her crew are to be conducted through a man in Saudi Arabia.And there is more bad news. A uniformed man informs viewers that Hatim Abu Yehia, a camera assistant, was "martyred", along with two FSA soldiers, in a barrage from the Syrian army. The man then asks for the shelling of the area to cease. Negotiations for the return of Yara and her crew are to be conducted through a man in Saudi Arabia.
We do not know whether or not the negotiations took place. Six days later, the three al Ikhbariya journalists were returned to the TV headquarters – apparently as the result of accident or a chaotic hostage rescue operation. It was big news, and the journalists were paraded on TV, Syrian flags draped on their shoulders.We do not know whether or not the negotiations took place. Six days later, the three al Ikhbariya journalists were returned to the TV headquarters – apparently as the result of accident or a chaotic hostage rescue operation. It was big news, and the journalists were paraded on TV, Syrian flags draped on their shoulders.
We asked Yara what had happened to the camera assistant, Hatim Abu Yehia. She said the video was a lie, and that they were all forced to take part. "Hatim Abu Yehia, they searched his mobile, and found shots of the Syrian army on his mobile. They asked him to insult the Syrian Arab Army. He refused. He and [the driver] Hossam were taken outside the room, and blindfolded. I crawled on the ground, pleading with them 'I am the journalist, your problem is with me. Take me and leave them'."We asked Yara what had happened to the camera assistant, Hatim Abu Yehia. She said the video was a lie, and that they were all forced to take part. "Hatim Abu Yehia, they searched his mobile, and found shots of the Syrian army on his mobile. They asked him to insult the Syrian Arab Army. He refused. He and [the driver] Hossam were taken outside the room, and blindfolded. I crawled on the ground, pleading with them 'I am the journalist, your problem is with me. Take me and leave them'."
Yara says that she then heard gunshots, after which Hossam returned to say that he had been shown Hatim's dead body, riddled with bullets. Hatim's body has not been found.Yara says that she then heard gunshots, after which Hossam returned to say that he had been shown Hatim's dead body, riddled with bullets. Hatim's body has not been found.
Yara sits smoking nervously. "I still have bad dreams about what happened to us," she says. She's also had to move house several times as her newly found fame means she needs to live in secure accommodation.Yara sits smoking nervously. "I still have bad dreams about what happened to us," she says. She's also had to move house several times as her newly found fame means she needs to live in secure accommodation.
Meanwhile winter has set in, the violence is intensifying, and there is little sign of negotiated peace. These journalists will be expected to continue offering support to the Syrian state. And face the possible consequences.Meanwhile winter has set in, the violence is intensifying, and there is little sign of negotiated peace. These journalists will be expected to continue offering support to the Syrian state. And face the possible consequences.
This documentary, part of a two-part series called Inside Syria, caused a heated debate with some activists arguing that exposing how pro-Assad circles think and operate can be perceived in itself as biased coverage. Other anti-Assad Syrians criticised the documentary for focusing on the diehard al Ikhbariya journalists alone and not representing those who defected to the opposition side.This documentary, part of a two-part series called Inside Syria, caused a heated debate with some activists arguing that exposing how pro-Assad circles think and operate can be perceived in itself as biased coverage. Other anti-Assad Syrians criticised the documentary for focusing on the diehard al Ikhbariya journalists alone and not representing those who defected to the opposition side.
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