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NetherlandsCulture11/3/2025

What is the role of accountability journalism in post-Assad Syria?

The article discusses the role of accountability journalism in post-Assad Syria through an interview with Syrian journalists Bashar and Mais, who conducted an investigation into the practice of hiding Syrian children in orphanages under the Assad regime to extort their parents. The report highlights how a major international charity was aware of this issue but remained silent. The discussion includes reflections on reporting from Syria after 14 years and the impact of uncovering such injustices. Lighthouse Senior Editor Charlotte Alfred also comments on the importance of international media合作s

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What is the role of accountability journalism in post-Assad Syria?

For the first episode of the season, we speak with Syrian journalists Bashar and Mais about their first investigation in a newly free Syria.

Under the Assad regime, hundreds of Syrian children were hidden in orphanages to extort their parents. A major international charity knew, but kept silent.

Beatriz and Tessa speak with Bashar and Mais about the experience of reporting from Syria for the first time in 14 years and what it means to uncover injustice in a country still healing from dictatorship. We discuss the story’s impact and how the reporting empowered the families still searching for their children and for justice and accountability.

They also speak with Lighthouse Senior Editor, Charlotte Alfred who explains how this cross-border collaboration came together and why international partnerships remain vital for accountability journalism in Syria.

You can also listen to the episode on Spotify ,  Apple Podcasts and YouTube .

Hosts: Beatriz Ramalho da Silva, Tessa Pang

Sound design, mixing and editing: Spoovio – Audiovisual Productions

© 2025 LIGHTHOUSE REPORTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Read the full article at Lighthouse Reports →

1 reports

Lighthouse ReportsIndependentCenter11/3/2025
What is the role of accountability journalism in post-Assad Syria?

The article discusses the role of accountability journalism in post-Assad Syria through an interview with Syrian journalists Bashar and Mais, who conducted an investigation into the practice of hiding Syrian children in orphanages under the Assad regime to extort their parents. The report highlights how a major international charity was aware of this issue but remained silent. The discussion includes reflections on reporting from Syria after 14 years and the impact of uncovering such injustices. Lighthouse Senior Editor Charlotte Alfred also comments on the importance of international media合作s

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on journalistic efforts to uncover past abuses in Syria without taking a political stance. It emphasizes the role of accountability journalism and does not present any biased framing or ideological slant.