More than 50 journalists from different countries could see with their own eyes and acknowledge that Syria is returning to a peaceful life. For press representatives from England, France, Germany, Turkey, Italy, Japan, and China, Syrian Ministry of Defense organized a media tour after which the content of articles in world outlets changed significantly.
Varvara Nevskaya will continue.
The former rebel stronghold in Syria begins to rebuild. This headline isn't typical for Western media as well as the content of the article. It's not devoted to the imaginary victories of the United States and the Allies which, according to past articles, have fully defeated terrorism in Syria at least five times. Usually, the press was silent about the fact that cities and residential buildings were "defeated" to the ground together with the militants.
The Associated Press focuses on the city of Khan Shaykhun, Idlib Governorate which came under the control of official Damascus just a month ago after a massive military operation involving Russia. Idlib was reported by the foreign media as the place where the government poisoned its citizens with phosphorus and sarin. But now, the photographers took pictures of the "poisoned" population rejoices in the liberation of the city, honors President Assad, taking to the streets with his portraits, and thanks Russia for the opportunity to return to a peaceful life. The newspaper cites statements from the locals: "Everything is as it was before the war, we can sleep peacefully and eat." Also, there are photos of Russian servicemen distributing humanitarian aid among returned refugees.
The editorial policy of American and European newspapers has undergone significant changes because if the Associated Press, which issued the material, always remained restrained, trying to cover events objectively, then the Washington Post, The Telegraph, the New York Times, ABC News and many others when citing the article about the success of the Assad army and the Russian Air Force preferred either to remain silent or, to put it mildly, to twist the facts. It turns out that those who covered the Russian campaign in Syria negatively for years admitted they had been wrong.
Viktor Murakhovsky, military expert: "The situation is completely different compared to the end of 2015 when the operation in Syria only began. It was our Air Forces that delivered the main blows on the terrorists. This year, the rhetoric about Assad the Tyrant who poisons his people was put on the back burner. Apparently, the reality made Western politicians and, consequently, Western journalists acknowledge Syria is gradually getting back to a peaceful life".
Dozens of Western newspapers highlighted the facts in an unusual manner right after the media tour organized by the Syrian Defense Ministry. Khmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base, Russian Su-35 fighters, modern air defense systems that shot down over a hundred enemy drones, uneasy Idlib and Khan Shaykhun returning to life, a network of underground tunnels the size of a city freed from militants, and, most importantly, real locals instead of paid actors from the White Helmet videos — all of this was witnessed by more than 50 journalists from England, France, Germany, Turkey, Italy, Japan, China, and other countries.
"Assad’s power fortified thanks to Russian bombs". This is the headline of an article by Phoebe Gaa from the ZDF German TV company. The German journalist uses a positive tone when talking about the Syrian government and the Russian military. "The intervention of the Russian Federation was a turning point for Assad." This way she acknowledges the success of the operation.
Here is the ZDF video report. It tells the story of the restoration of the famous bazaar in Aleppo, a UNESCO cultural heritage site that has been damaged by terrorists. Stores have opened on the market again. Local authorities have already resumed water and power supply. Then the crew moved to Damascus. Russian servicemen train Syrian fighters before the offensive on Idlib — the last stronghold of the militants. It's impossible to argue with the facts after you've seen them with your own eyes.
Even the British Sky News, a branch of Arabia, could not disagree with the facts. "Four years in Syria. How Russia regained its influence". They don't even try to dispute the operation was successful. Moreover, they recognize that the operation in the Middle East has strengthened not only the positions of legitimate president Assad but also Russia as a state.
Dmitry Abzalov, political analyst: "The open position of Russia and the Ministry of Defense ensured this victory, this change in this general rhetoric, and agenda. When you play in public, when in response to individual statements you just really show what is really happening this is a completely different approach. The editorial policy may differ but there are things you can't argue with. Gradually, this agenda wins".
It's hard to argue with the publications. And what is there to argue about? Fake news actively spread by foreign mass media over the last 5 years wasn't just called into question by this tour but completely destroyed. If such media tours are arranged further, it is possible that Western politicians will be more careful in their public statements regarding Syria. Indeed, the opportunity for journalists to freely cover the joint operation of freeing Syria is undeniably the best recipe for fighting fakes worldwide.
