Syria gets 'independent' daily newspaper

For the first time in more than 40 years Syrians can read a privately-owned (ie, non-state) daily newspaper containing political news. Al-Watan (The Homeland), launched 10 days ago, was licensed by the Syrian Ministry of Information as a first step towards media reforms, according to the Kuwaiti News Agency (Kuna). Its editor, Waddah Abed Rabbo, wrote in the first issue: "We do not belong to any movement; we do not express the points of view of any party." (Via International Journalists' Network)