Experts Work to Identify, Analyze and Counter Disinformation in Syria

In a digital age where misinformation spreads at unprecedented speeds, Syria’s media landscape has become particularly vulnerable to dangerous forms of disinformation. A new comprehensive Arabic-language toolkit has been released to combat these challenges, offering critical resources for journalists and civil society organizations operating in one of the world’s most contested information environments.

The toolkit, unveiled on February 16, 2026, addresses the growing concern that disinformation in Syria has evolved into a significant catalyst for societal division, fear, and widespread mistrust. Experts note that Syria’s prolonged conflict has created fertile ground for competing narratives, making accurate information both vital and increasingly difficult to verify.

This new resource integrates several crucial competency areas that modern information workers need to navigate Syria’s complex media ecosystem. At its core, the toolkit focuses on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) skills, which have become essential in regions where information warfare often accompanies physical conflict.

Beyond basic literacy skills, the guide provides detailed instruction on ethical reporting standards that maintain journalistic integrity under difficult circumstances. This component addresses the particular challenges of reporting in conflict zones, where pressure to sensationalize or take sides can compromise journalistic standards.

Digital security forms another pillar of the toolkit, recognizing that Syrian journalists and activists face significant online threats. These sections offer practical advice for protecting sources, securing communications, and maintaining personal safety in an environment where information sharing can carry serious risks.

The toolkit also breaks new ground by specifically addressing gender-based online violence, an increasingly documented phenomenon in Syria and globally. Women journalists and activists often face targeted harassment campaigns designed to silence their voices, and the guide provides specific strategies to counter these threats.

What distinguishes this resource from previous efforts is its deeply contextual approach. Rather than offering generic advice, the toolkit draws extensively from Syrian case studies, grounding its guidance in real-world examples that resonate with local users. Hands-on exercises throughout the materials provide practical application opportunities that build concrete verification skills.

Media experts familiar with the region highlight that Syria represents a particularly challenging information landscape. “What makes Syria unique is the layered complexity of its information ecosystem,” explains Dr. Amina Khalil, a media studies professor at the American University of Beirut. “You have government propaganda, opposition narratives, extremist messaging, foreign influence campaigns, and genuine grassroots reporting all competing in the same space. Distinguishing truth requires specialized skills.”

The toolkit arrives at a critical moment when trust in information sources within Syria has reached historic lows. A 2025 survey by the Syrian Media Monitor found that 76% of Syrians report difficulty determining which news sources to trust, with nearly 80% indicating they had encountered obvious disinformation weekly.

For local journalists like Bassam Karam, who operates an independent news platform in Aleppo, resources like this toolkit represent a lifeline. “When we publish stories, we’re immediately accused of serving one agenda or another,” Karam noted in a recent interview. “Having standardized verification protocols helps us demonstrate our commitment to accuracy regardless of which political actors might be implicated.”

Civil society organizations working on reconciliation and community building have also welcomed the toolkit. “Disinformation doesn’t just misinform—it deliberately inflames sectarian tensions and undermines peace-building efforts,” said Layla Abboud, director of the Syrian Coalition for Truth and Reconciliation. “This resource helps us identify those patterns and counter them effectively.”

The toolkit is being distributed through established journalist networks, civil society organizations, and academic institutions throughout Syria and neighboring countries hosting Syrian refugee populations. Digital versions are also available through secure channels to reach those operating in areas where physical distribution may be dangerous.

As Syria continues navigating its complex path toward stability, resources that promote information integrity could play a vital role in establishing the shared understanding necessary for any sustainable peace process. This toolkit represents an important step toward building that foundation.