It is pointed out that Syria is trying to improve its image by using the influencer's `` naivety ''
In Syria, a Middle Eastern country where a civil war between the government and dissidents has continued since 2011, as a strategy to spread the image that the country is safe and secure abroad, so-called 'influencers' who have influence on YouTube etc. The Washington Post points out that the administration is using it.
Opinion | Influencers are whitewashing Syria's regime, with help from sponsors - The Washington Post
The Bashar Assad administration, which finished the battle of Aleppo with victory, initially tried to hire international journalists to restore its image. Mr. Assad's father-in-law, Fawaz Aqras, paid many reporters to visit the capital Damascus and meet with officials, including Mr. Assad, but most of the journalists wrote articles critical of the experience. It seems that I have written
The government decided that it would be difficult to attract the attention of investors as the civil war continued and many people were displaced, and the image of the government associated with the brutal war continued, and began to adopt a policy of enthusiastically recruiting influencers. noted the Washington Post.
Influencers need a visa to enter the country, which is only granted if accommodation is arranged through a government-approved travel agency. The administration reviews all visa applications there and excludes journalists and activists.
Most influencers focus on the local scenery and food culture that viewers tend to be interested in, and introduce the local area in a cheerful tone without political intentions. Buildings that have been ruined by war are sometimes treated as part of the 'exotic experience' along with restaurants and bazaars. While these influencers appear to be indifferent to the devastation in Syria, some feel a moral responsibility, and others dare to say they have no political intentions.
Although the influencers are filming of their own volition, the Syrian regime has taken advantage of the influencers' 'naivety' and spreads the influencer's comments declaring that 'Syria is safe and secure' through the official media. denounces the Washington Post.
'While most Syrians are not free to visit their homes, insensitive tourists, indifferent to their pain, are trampling their neighborhoods and desecrating sites of gang crime,' the Washington Post said. I'm witnessing this,' and also criticized the activities of influencers. He also noted that many of the posts by influencers were sponsored by Western companies, and took issue with the lack of any 'measures'.
Below is one of the videos featured by The Washington Post, in which Janet Newenham walks through Damascus and introduces local food and craft stores.
A Solo Tourist in Damascus, Syria [World's OLDEST City] دمشق، سوريا - YouTube
On the other hand, there are influencers like Jay Palfrey who visit Homs, a city destroyed by war, and convey the misery of war.
HOMS, SYRIA - Inside Homs, Syria حمص، سوريا - من داخل سوريا - YouTube
It is important to collect information from various perspectives in order to correctly understand the local situation, but the Washington Post responded to the issue raised this time, saying, ``Influencers such as these are concerned about the political and ethical impact of their travels. We obviously don't want to face the sanctions against the Syrian regime for human rights violations, although we can't police people's consciences. You can ask,' he said.
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