Syria’s cabinet on Saturday approved a draft law regulating publications, and discussed the principles of providing domestic internet services.
The Syrian news agency, SANA, reported on Sunday that those present at the meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Mustafa Miro, made amendments to the bill and upgraded some of its clauses.
The agency added that the bill, which will be discussed by Parliament at a later date, “includes the regulations governing the freedom to publish, and responsibilities under the law. This is in addition to organizing the work of printing presses, libraries, publishing houses and the principles of licensing periodicals.”
“The bill aims at coping with the expansion witnessed by the printing and publication sector in Syria, and the growing number of periodicals in the country. This is in addition to the growing number of publishing houses in the private and public sectors,” reported the agency.
“The bill is also consistent with modernization and development within the parameters of “responsible” freedom, and satisfies the need to develop the profession of journalism and encourage publishing,” added SANA.
Syrian authorities this year licensed a few private political newspapers not controlled by the government, including the satirical weekly Al Domary and Al Noor of the Syrian Communist Party.
Independent MP Yaser Al Nahlawi said that “the new law is more comprehensive because it takes into consideration all the audiovisual media aids which have developed, and because it licenses new TV stations.”
“The government has developed the law as part of the modernization plan launched since President Bashar Al Assad took office in July 2000,” added the parliamentarian.
The cabinet also discussed the basic principles and general guidelines of a project for making internet services available and giving the public access to this and other related services.
The cabinet reviewed the options presented to choose the suitable means for providing this service and the necessary equipment, investments, and technical expertise that would ensure flexible work and efficient performance.
The Syrian premier reiterated the importance of follow-up and expansion in studying this project from all its financial, technical, and operational angles - Albawaba.com
