Jihadist group in Idlib bans pro-opposition news channel
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has banned the pro-opposition Orient News channel from media coverage in Idlib, raising fears about the state of press freedom in Syria’s Idlib.
IDLIB, Syria — The pro-Syrian opposition Orient News channel revealed on its Twitter account Aug. 24, “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham [HTS] has decided to end the channel’s media operations in Idlib.”
Orient News channel said HTS had informed its correspondents in Idlib that they are no longer allowed to practice journalistic work in the areas under its control in northwestern Syrian, under the pretext of “professional violations.”
A number of Orient News employees in Idlib who spoke to Al-Monitor said that HTS has instructed them to stop working for the channel. They were told they can work as journalists and reporters, but without using the Orient News channel logo.
Activists and journalists in Idlib have condemned HTS’ decision. Many see the ban as an infringement on media freedom and a restriction on the work of journalists and activists in the area.
