Syria’s information ministry announced on Saturday, July 9, 2023, that it had canceled the accreditation of two BBC journalists. The ministry accused the British broadcaster of providing “biased and misleading reports.” According to the ministry, the BBC had been warned multiple times about its coverage but continued to broadcast “misleading reports based on statements… from terrorist entities and those hostile to Syria.”
In response, the BBC expressed disappointment at the decision. The broadcaster affirmed its commitment to providing impartial news and information to its audiences across the Arabic-speaking world.
The cancellation of the BBC’s accreditation is a rare occurrence in Syria. The country is ranked 175 out of 180 on the press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders. However, the Syrian government has a history of restricting the work of international journalists and has previously expelled reporters from the country.
Both Sinjab and Oghanna, the journalists whose accreditation was canceled, are Syrian nationals. They have been critical of the Syrian government in their reporting and have faced accusations of bias against the government.
The Syrian government’s decision to cancel the BBC’s accreditation serves as a troubling indication of the worsening press freedom situation in the country. It also highlights the risks faced by journalists reporting from Syria.
