Freedom

Freedom is the renamed continuation of the Syrian newspaper Tishreen. The original publication was launched in October 1975, following the October 1973 Yom Kippur War. Its name, Tishreen, refers to October in Arabic and connected the newspaper to the political symbolism surrounding that war. It was created as one of Syria's major state-owned Arabic dailies, joining Al-Baath and Al-Thawra in the government press sector. The newspaper operated through state publishing institutions. The Tishreen Organization for Press and Publishing was its former publisher and also had responsibility for Syria Times, an English-language daily that later ceased publication, and an electronic newspaper. At a later stage, the Al Wahda institution became the publisher of Tishreen-related publications and Al-Thawra. These changes reflected the organization of Syrian newspapers under state-controlled publishing bodies. Tishreen's editorial scope included political reporting, domestic administration, culture, social affairs, charity-related coverage and international news. Its state ownership did not prevent it from carrying some critical reporting on local matters. In particular, reference material describes a more critical position on corruption and mismanagement in 2012. From 2004, the paper also served as a platform for supporting charities in Syria, alongside Al-Thawra. The paper published a range of political and cultural material. A notable example was a 1983 interview with Nimr Saleh, identified as a dissident member of the Palestine Liberation Organization. In 1993, it published a poem by Najah Al Attar, then Syria's culture minister, written following the death of Naisa Assad, the mother of Hafez Assad. Editorial writing could also be strongly ideological: Mohammad Kheir Al Wadi, identified as editor-in-chief in January 2000, wrote that Zionism had created the Holocaust myth to intimidate and pressure intellectuals and politicians. Editorial leadership changed over the years. Khalaf Al Jarrad was appointed by Hafez Assad in July 2001 and was identified as editor-in-chief in 2005. Samira Al Masalmeh took the role in January 2012 and was described as the first female editor-in-chief in Syria. She was later followed by Youshra Al Masry. Tishreen expanded beyond print through its website, launched in 1997. Its online presence included Syria Millennium, an English-language news portal accessible through the newspaper's website. The digital edition was reported to have ranked 48th among the most visited websites in the Middle East and North Africa region in 2010. Print circulation was reported at 75,000 copies in 1992 and close to 60,000 copies per day during the middle of the 2000s. These figures are historical and do not establish current readership. The Syrian conflict exposed the publication to direct security and technological threats. Unknown groups hacked the Tishreen website in late April 2011. In December 2012, Naji Assaad, a journalist for the newspaper, was assassinated in Damascus; the killing was reportedly attributed to opposition forces, though the available material characterizes that attribution as alleged. In January 2025, roughly one month after the fall of the Assad regime, Tishreen was renamed Al-Hurriya, or Freedom. The change created the current identity covered by this dossier. The available source establishes the renaming and its political timing but does not provide enough information to describe the newspaper's current editor, circulation, staffing, business model or editorial independence after the transition.

1. 2025Tishreen renamed Al-Hurriya

   The publication changed its name to Al-Hurriya, translated as Freedom, in January 2025.

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2. 2012Samira Al Masalmeh becomes editor-in-chief

   Samira Al Masalmeh was named editor-in-chief in January and was described as Syria's first woman to hold that position.

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3. 2001Khalaf Al Jarrad appointed editor-in-chief

   Khalaf Al Jarrad was appointed editor-in-chief in July 2001.

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4. 1997Website launched

   Tishreen established an online presence by launching its website.

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5. 1992Historical circulation reaches 75,000 copies

   The newspaper was reported to sell approximately 75,000 copies in 1992.

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6. 1975Tishreen begins publication

   The Arabic daily first appeared in October 1975 under the name Tishreen.

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A Syrian state-owned general-interest daily serving as part of the country's public press system, with coverage spanning politics, public administration, culture, social affairs and international news.

• Freedom (Al-Hurriya)Arabic daily newspaper1975

  The primary publication is a Syrian Arabic-language daily newspaper based in Damascus. It covers national politics, government and administration, culture, social issues, charity activity and international affairs. It was published under the name Tishreen from its launch in 1975 until its renaming as Al-Hurriya in January 2025.

• Syria MillenniumEnglish-language online news portal

  Syria Millennium was an English-language news portal made available through the newspaper's website. It extended the publication's reach beyond its Arabic print edition, although the available material does not specify whether the portal remains active under the Freedom name.

• 2004Charity-support coverage

  Syria

  The newspaper became a platform supporting charities in Syria, working in this area alongside Al-Thawra.

  Outcome. The available source confirms the newspaper's role as a platform but does not quantify the initiatives or their reach.

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• 2025Renaming from Tishreen to Al-HurriyaStrategy

  The name change occurred in January 2025, about one month after the fall of the Assad regime, placing it within a major political transition in Syria.

  What changed. The publication adopted Al-Hurriya, the Arabic name meaning Freedom, as its new title.

  Aftermath. The available material does not establish the subsequent editorial leadership, ownership structure, circulation or changes in editorial policy.

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• 2025Tishreen renamed Al-Hurriya

  The newspaper adopted the name Al-Hurriya, meaning Freedom, in January 2025, approximately one month after the fall of the Assad regime.

  Product generationLeadership change
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• 2012Journalist Naji Assaad assassinated in Damascus

  Naji Assaad, a journalist working for the daily, was assassinated in Damascus in December 2012. The killing was attributed in reference material to alleged opposition forces, although the circumstances are presented as an allegation.

  Other
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• 2011Tishreen newspaper website hacked

  The newspaper's website was hacked by unknown groups in late April 2011 during the early period of the Syrian conflict.

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1. Freedom (Syrian newspaper)