I am not an expert on what is going in Syria. I have never been there and am unlikely ever to go but what I do know is that I think the world needs to be very careful in how it reports this conflict.
From what I can understand, the uprising started following the arrest of some school children in the south of the country for having written a slogan on the wall, calling for the downfall of the regime. Since then the protestors have been calling for greater freedom and democracy.
What hasn’t been called for, from the coverage that I have been following, is a change of regime based upon so called sectarian divisions, yet this is where the news reporting is leading.
Over 20 million people live in Syria and I’m sure that means 20 million individuals with 20 million different opinions, yet the country has been split into three distinct groups. The majority of the people are apparently Sunni, at nearly three quarters of the population, then Shia Alawites and Christians both with about a tenth of the inhabitants.
Of course sectarianism is an issue, it is in any conflict throughout the world but reporting on it in a way that highlights segmentation and differences plays into the hands of those who wish to see this descend into a religious struggle.
People with the same religion have a lot n common with each other but so do people of different creeds, colours or ethnic backgrounds. The people of Syria are uprising for a greater say in the running of their country and the media should be careful to report the issues that hold the people together rather than speculate on those on which they may be divided.
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 