DW Akademie Launches Strategic Initiative to Combat Disinformation and Hate Speech Targeting Syrian Media
DW Akademie, the international organization for media development, has officially issued a call for proposals to contract a specialized research institution or expert team to monitor and analyze disinformation and hate-speech narratives throughout Syria. As part of its broader mission to stabilize the media landscape in the region, the organization is seeking partners to track how hostile campaigns systematically target Syrian media outlets, individual journalists, and fact-checking professionals. The project, titled “Fill the Space: Ensuring information supply and media trust for stabilization in Syria,” is generously funded by the European Union and highlights a critical need to safeguard the integrity of the information ecosystem within a region long plagued by digital manipulation.
A primary mandate of the contracted team will be the implementation of a sophisticated monitoring system, specifically calibrated to identify disinformation aimed at young Syrian audiences, aged 18 to 45. This demographic, which comprises a significant portion of the country’s digital footprint, has become a primary target for actors seeking to erode trust in independent journalism. By focusing on these specific age groups, the project aims to mitigate the influence of fabricated narratives that often capitalize on the digital literacy gaps and sociopolitical sensitivities of younger Syrians, ultimately aiming to foster a more resilient and informed public discourse.
The scope of work for the selected provider is comprehensive, beginning with the establishment of a rigorous baseline analysis. This initial phase will identify the primary actors, platforms, and recurring narratives driving the current disinformation landscape, providing a deep-dive quantitative and qualitative contextual analysis. Following this foundation, the partner will be tasked with ongoing monitoring cycles, resulting in three periodic reports prepared in both English and Arabic. These documents are designed to be multifaceted: they will contain a confidential, restricted section meant for project partners to guide strategy, alongside a summarized, anonymized version intended for public dissemination to raise awareness.
Beyond periodic reporting, the partnership emphasizes a functional and practical approach to information security. The selected organization will be required to produce concise briefings designed specifically for newsrooms and civil society organizations, ensuring that media professionals have the actionable insights needed to protect their staff and verify content in real-time. By connecting raw data with daily operational needs, DW Akademie seeks to transform technical research into a defensive tool that empowers journalists to maintain credibility and safety in an increasingly adversarial digital environment.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of this initiative, as the project is being executed in partnership with the fact-checking organization Fatabyyano. This alliance is intended to combine DW Akademie’s pedagogical and structural expertise with the granular, platform-specific vetting capabilities of the regional partner. Through this combined effort, the project aims not only to monitor external threats but also to strengthen the internal capacities of local media outlets. The long-term goal is to transform the regional media sector into a robust, fact-centric network capable of self-correction and resistance against organized, malicious campaigns.
Interested organizations and expert teams are invited to submit their proposals for this vital project no later than Monday, August 17, 2026. Submissions should be directed to dw-akademie.fillthespace@dw.com. Upon completion of the required reporting terms, the selected provider will submit a final synthesis report, consolidating their findings and observations from the entirety of the project lifecycle. This final document will serve as a comprehensive roadmap for future efforts to uphold media trust and ensure that, despite external pressures, accurate information continues to fill the digital space for the people of Syria.
