Fares and the Fight for Independent Media in Syria
During the Syrian uprising that began in 2011, the struggle for democracy was fought not only with protests but with information. Among the most prominent voices was Fares, an activist who recognized early on that documenting the revolution and sharing it with the global community was essential to challenging the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
Fares began his journey by participating in hundreds of demonstrations, using his camera to capture the unrest and distribute images via the internet. This grassroots effort eventually evolved into the establishment of the Kafranbel Media Center in his hometown of Kafr Nabl. The center became world-renowned for its creative and often sarcastic pro-democracy banners, many of which were written in English to ensure the international community understood the call for a peaceful revolution in Syria.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Founder: Fares established both the Kafranbel Media Center and Radio Fresh FM.
- Opposition: He criticized the Assad regime as well as militant groups including ISIL and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
- Reach: Radio Fresh FM broadcasted to the provinces of Idlib, Aleppo, and Hamah.
- Impact: Provided media training to over 2,500 young men and women to foster citizen-journalism.
- Support: Radio Fresh received partial funding from the Human Rights Foundation.
The Launch and Legacy of Radio Fresh FM
In 2013, Fares expanded his media efforts by launching Radio Fresh FM. The station was designed to provide independent news to the Syrian people, operating as a critical voice against both the Assad regime and radical Islamist groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Operating in the Idlib region, the station faced severe pressure from Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the militant group controlling the area. HTS demanded that the station stop broadcasting music and remove women from the airwaves. In a display of the same sarcasm that defined his protest banners, Fares and his team responded by replacing music with sounds of tweeting birds, ticking clocks, clucking chickens, and bleating goats. To keep women on the air, they used computer software to modify their voices.
Beyond broadcasting, Radio Fresh served as an educational hub. It provided essential media training to more than 2,500 young Syrians, empowering them to become citizen-journalists—ordinary citizens who collect, report, and analyze news—to ensure the reality of the conflict was documented from the ground.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Persecution and International Recognition
Fares's commitment to independent media made him a target for multiple factions. He survived several assassination attempts, including a violent attack on January 28, 2014, where he was shot three times in the chest. Following a lengthy surgery, he recovered to continue his work. Additionally, he suffered abduction and torture at the hands of militants affiliated with al-Qaeda.
Despite these dangers, his work gained international visibility. Radio Fresh was partly funded by the Human Rights Foundation, the organization behind the Oslo Freedom Forum. Fares's influence as a defender of free speech led him to speak at an Oslo Freedom Forum event in 2017.
| Initiative | Primary Purpose | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Kafranbel Media Center | Global Awareness | English-language sarcastic protest banners |
| Radio Fresh FM | Independent News | Broadcasting to Idlib, Aleppo, and Hamah |
| Media Training Program | Capacity Building | Trained 2,500+ citizen-journalists |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Fares?
Fares was a Syrian activist and media founder who criticized the regime of Bashar al-Assad and various militant groups, including ISIL and HTS, while promoting a peaceful revolution.
What was the Kafranbel Media Center?
It was a media hub in Kafr Nabl known for creating English-language protest banners that used sarcasm to attract international attention to the Syrian uprising.
How did Radio Fresh FM respond to HTS censorship?
When HTS ordered the station to stop playing music and remove women from the air, Radio Fresh played animal sounds (like chickens and goats) instead of music and used software to disguise women's voices.
How many people were trained by Radio Fresh?
Radio Fresh provided media training to more than 2,500 young men and women to help them become citizen-journalists.
What risks did Fares face due to his activism?
Fares survived multiple assassination attempts, including being shot three times in the chest in 2014, and was abducted and tortured by al-Qaeda affiliated militants.