ALEPPO, Syria — A group of journalists and activists has launched the General Media Institution in the opposition-controlled Syrian province of Idlib, with the aim of communicating opposition news, providing some functions of a trade union, and helping to protect, educate and train journalists.

About 80 activists and media figures attended the founding meeting May 6, stressing that the institution's major objectives are to help consolidate and coordinate media work in the province and create a revolutionary media platform capable of bringing together most of the media and concerned activists there.

Institution secretary Moath Abbas told Al-Monitor, “The Institution was warmly welcomed by Idlib’s activists and media community, many of whom expressed their desire to join it. As of May 29, the total number of members had exceeded 120, and the institution is still welcoming new members." The group elected a 10-member follow-up committee May 28 and has already begun work on a documentary about current conditions in the province.

"We have been thus far confident about our work and the division of tasks among the members, and we are seeking to draw up action plans for the second half of 2017."