I have always wondered, did we grow up in an environment that encourages criticism and free expression? Have you ever been able to criticize your teacher or manager without fear? Unfortunately, in most cases, you couldn’t—criticism in our inner or outer social circles was always unwelcome and was viewed negatively, distorting our understanding of it.

Political and Media Criticism in Syria

Under Baathist rule, strict censorship was imposed on the media to serve the regime. In 1991, the government granted itself absolute control over press, television, and radio. Journalists who attempted to break these restrictions were arrested and faced severe suppression, rendering political criticism a perilous endeavor,

Criticism in Institutions and Education

Criticism was not welcome in schools and universities, where students were raised on obedience rather than critical thinking; therefore, generations grew up lacking the ability to analyze or critique. These systems reinforced a culture of “not questioning authority” and have rendered skepticism an unfamiliar concept.

Criticism in Art and Cinema

Artists tried to present critical works in cinema and theater, but they faced censorship and harassment, despite which they continued to address bold issues; However, many of these works never reached the public, as they were halted due to overstepping red lines.

Why Does Criticism Become a Crime When It Targets Governments?

Don’t you criticize yourself, your family, and your friends? There is no fairness greater than treating the government as you treat yourself—acknowledging its mistakes just as you acknowledge your own.
Think about this statement carefully and ask yourself: Who is more important?

Criticism in the New Syria: A Necessity, Not a Choice

Social media has loosened some restrictions and provided a space for criticism, of which real role is yet to begin. Activating criticism today will be the cornerstone of building a future that is more just and transparent.
We must all embrace a culture of criticism, which our discourse has lacked for years. We must be responsible and conscious in our critique of others. And we must be fully aware that a ruler—or any authority for that matter—is not a god, but a human being who must be held accountable.