Suroyo FM: A Beacon of Truth

BETH ZALIN (Qamishli), Syria – On February 2, 2020, the Suroyo FM was launched in the regions of North and East Syria. Zalin-based Suroyo FM, airing on frequency 95.5 FM, is the first Syriac radio station in Syria and broadcasts mostly in Syriac and Arabic and covers the whole Gozarto (Jazira) Region from Derik to Tel Tamr and Hasakah. Within its 5-year existence, the station has been successful reaching a large audience with broad resonance. Programs deal with the identity, culture and language of the Syriac (Aramean-Assyrian-Chaldean) people. It broadcasts political, cultural, awareness, medical and religious programs, and programs on issues related to women.

Suroyo FM, together with affiliates Suroyo TV and our news agency SyriacPress, follow the path of the Bethnahrin National Council (MUB) in conveying the free national voice of the Syriac people not only in Syria but throughout the whole Middle East and world.

Suroyo FM is managed by the Suroyo Media Foundation. The opening of Suroyo FM marked a major leap, considering the financial constraints and security challenges that accompanied its 2020 broadcast debut.But the importance of having a national radio station transcends these contraints and concerns because the media today plays a central role and serves as a conduit of information, truth, history and culture, especially for ancient and enduring civilizations.

Initial Hurdles

Samir Hanna, the former co-chairman of Suroyo FM, spoke at length to our news editors about the establishment of Suroyo FM and the challenges prior to the pilot broadcast and program presentation. He discussed the complex steps they took as a radio station within an independent media space in the Autonomous Region of North and East Syria. Hanna recalled that the idea of establishing a Syriac-language radio station was challenging. The spark ignited in early 2019, with difficulties arising from delays in acquiring technical equipment like transmission towers and audio devices due to the security situation at the time.

By the end of 2019, all transmission towers were erected and interconnected, and the station’s frequency was reserved. February 2, 2020, was chosen for the station’s official opening from its headquarters in Beth Zalin (Qamishli). Hanna mentioned that the station’s broadcast initially only reached the city of Amuda to the west of Zalin. They later worked on extending coverage to the city of Hasaka and its countryside, especially the Khabur Valley, Qabre Hewore (Qahtaniyah), and Dayrik (Malikiyah), aiming to deliver the station’s voice to all ethnic components of the region, particularly the Syriac people.

A Noble Mission  Fostering a Unified Identity

Currently holding an administrative position at the station, Hanna emphasized that the goal of establishing the station was a noble one, providing a media platform speaking the language of a people present in the region for thousands of years. He highlighted the critical role Syriac media should play in the new post-Assad Syria by conveying the voice, historical suffering and national goals of the Syriac people on their historic land, especially amid Syria’s decade-long crisis.

Additional objectives include affirming the existence of the Syriac people in the region, proving the vitality of their Aramaic language for thousands of years, and their thoughts during Syria’s ongoing turmoil. Moreover, it aimed to provide job opportunities for Syriac youth, hoping to reduce the significant migration in the crisis years, said Samir Hanna.

Building from the Ground Up

The station’s broadcast began with a team of just 4 people. Hanna recalled how he and former Suroyo FM Co-Chair Maria Hanna, having also their administrative roles, also produced and presented radio programs, occasionally turning into field reporters to gather information for the listeners.

Hanna explained that the team’s expertise helped the fledgling station stand on its feet despite all the challenges. Every young man and woman who later joined received comprehensive media training in areas such as news writing and editing, voice-over, control, program production and presentation, all under the guidance of experts.

Empowering Women in Media and their Crucial Role

General Manager of Suroyo Media Foundation, Simel Samuel, highlighted the prominent role of women in founding and managing the radio station. She pointed to the significant popular work satisfaction at the station, as it catered to all ethnic components and groups, fostering feelings of pride. Samuel confirmed that women’s activity in all fields, whether political, military, cultural, or social, is a deeply rooted tradition among the Syriac people. She gave the Aramean queen Zenobia of Tadmor (Palmyra), a distinguished military leader, as an example.

Samuel emphasized that women’s roles are not confined to bringing children into this world and staying at home. On the contrary, women, with their free will and determination, can achieve great things, especially in media, by rejecting stagnation and traditional frameworks, and embracing practical development.

Bilingual Programming

Milad Gorgis, a member of the administrative committee at Suroyo FM, mentioned that the station relies on both Syriac and Arabic to produce a variety of programs focusing on women’s issues, youth, children, and families. The station broadcasts songs in all the languages of the region’s inhabitants.

Gorgis highlighted the economic, technical, and security challenges faced by the station. Despite this, listener engagement remained strong across all age groups, according to surveys conducted by specialized teams. The Syriac people were eager to hear a radio station broadcast in their language, while other communities listened to learn more about the heritage of this people.

Expanding Horizons Post-Assad

With the dawn of freedom in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime, the station’s administration seeks to open new offices in several Syrian cities and plans to extend its broadcasting to the Syrian cities with Syriac populations such as Daramsuq (Damascus), Holeb (Aleppo), Homth (Homs), Hemto (Hama), and Latakia.

Lighting the Path to Truth

As Suroyo Media Foundation lights the fifth candle for Suroyo FM, the region’s first-of-its-kind radio station, hopes remain high among the station’s managers and staff to continue fulfilling the aspirations of the Syriac people through their media platform. They consider it a beacon illuminating the path of knowledge to reach the truth, showcasing the cultural and civilizational identity of one of the oldest and most esteemed peoples, the Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) people.