The delegation of the Syrian Journalists Association discusses with the European Union mission ways to support independent media.

A delegation from the Syrian Journalists Association met with the Acting Head of the European Union Mission in Syria, Mr. Michael Onmaht, and his deputy, to discuss mechanisms for mutual cooperation in enhancing media freedom and building an independent professional environment for Syrian journalists.

The delegation included Lamia Rajeh, a member of the executive office, and Mohammed Sattouf, head of the monitoring and documentation department at the Association's Liberties Center, where they presented the Association's history, objectives, as well as its projects in professional empowerment, legal and administrative support for journalists, whether they are members of the Association or not.

The delegation emphasized that the Association, which includes more than 800 journalists, works to strengthen its presence as an independent union entity aiming to protect the profession and ensure the rights of media workers.

They also highlighted its pivotal role in monitoring and documenting violations against journalists through the periodic reports issued by the Liberties Center, focusing on enhancing accountability and accurately describing the state of journalism with transparency.

The meeting discussed a recent research study prepared by the Association on ethical journalism and media legislation, aiming to align Syrian laws with international standards of press freedom and combat hate speech, especially on digital platforms.

The European Union Mission expressed interest in the study's results, and discussed ways to support the Association's efforts and defend Syrian journalists, especially in the current political phase.

They also emphasized the importance of enhancing training programs and bridging professional gaps among journalists in different regions to ensure a safer and more effective media environment.

At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen partnerships with international institutions supporting independent media. The Association expressed hope in benefiting from European expertise in building free media institutions that contribute to solidifying the role of journalism as a watchdog authority in Syria.