Syrian Journalists Association Calls for the Dissolution of the Regime-Run Journalists Union Following Its Call for a Media Meeting
December 25, 2024, 1:12 pm

Syrian Journalists Association Calls for the Dissolution of the Regime-Run Journalists Union Following Its Call for a Media Meeting

الصحافة

As Syria continues to face the aftermath of the major humanitarian disaster caused by a regime of repression and tyranny, we are shocked by the call from the regime-affiliated Journalists Union to convene what they call a "Media Meeting" under the title “Victory of the Syrian Revolution and Media Responsibility,” scheduled for Monday, December 30.

This move is a painful mockery of the blood of martyrs and the sacrifices of Syrian journalists who have given their lives and freedom to convey the truth and defend the values of the revolution and freedom. This invitation also reflects a blatant disregard for the ethical and professional values that journalists and media institutions should uphold.

The regime's Journalists Union has proven to be nothing more than a tool for the regime, used to justify its crimes and disseminate propaganda, as documented by the Syrian Center for Freedom with conclusive evidence. Therefore, it cannot be considered a true representative of Syrian journalists; on the contrary, while Syria was seeking transformation, the Union's president exploited the concerns of Syrians to travel from Damascus to Cairo to attend a conference of the Egyptian Journalists' Syndicate, attempting to affirm the legitimacy of the former regime, without bothering to invite independent journalists, including the Syrian Journalists Association, despite the Association's attempts to contact him and stress the necessity of protecting all journalists in Syria.

In light of these developments, and based on the statutes of the Journalists Union, which state in Article 3 a commitment to “the goals of the Arab nation in unity, freedom, and socialism” according to the resolutions of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, and Article 5, which emphasizes the use of media to promote socialist nationalist thought, the Syrian Journalists Association calls upon the Prime Minister, Mohammad Al-Bashir, to make a decision to dissolve the Journalists Union, as it is part of the system of oppression and corruption that must be completely dismantled to achieve justice and freedom for the Syrian people.

The current phase, which witnesses historic developments, especially after the decision to suspend the activities of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, requires the dissolution of all institutions associated with it, foremost among them the Syrian Journalists Union. Therefore, dissolving the Union is an urgent demand for all free journalists, particularly within the Syrian Journalists Association, which is committed to presenting a work plan for developing the media sector and organizing union work in Syria, in collaboration with other media bodies, in line with the Syrian Journalists' Code of Ethics, ensuring media independence while striving for freedom and responsibility.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.