Reports | 25 05 2020
The Syrian channel "Talaqi" [Coming Together] announced its "Talk Show Telethon," with the intention of going into the Guinness Book of World Records, which opens its doors to Syria into its top ranks, as possessing the largest number of displaced persons, refugees, and dead worldwide.
Talaqi's announcement of entering the Guinness records for its 70 continuous hours on air found its echo with many Syrians, who filled social networking sites with their differing views on the matter, whether negative or positive.
A Syrian wrote on his page: "It would be more justified for Syria to enter the guinees Book of World Records for the patience of its people towards the aggression they are plagued by," with another mockingly commenting: "Very nice idea... But there would still be more than 100 thousand reasons why this station would be unwatchable."
Ammar, an independent Syrian journalist speaks to Rozana "I also nominate them for entry to the Guinness Book of Records for the strangest attempt to attract viewers! This 'experiment' cannot be taken seriously; the channel does not offer anything new." He adds: "This is nothign but a naked propaganda attempt to try and gloss over what is happening in Syria. Stop wasting time in useless banter! Any Guinness recognition the channel may receive holds absolutely no value."
Journalist Walid Baraksieh holds an opinion not far from that of Ammar's. He said that Talaqi attempts to make a personal achievement, rather than paying actual attention to its social responsibility. As he puts it, "This increases the gap that already separates the channel from the Syrian public."
Baraksieh also points out that "The channel is concerned with social and cultural, not political dimensions; which will make this the longest broadcast period of endless meaningless gossip."
The above criticisms notwithstanding, Talaqi channel workers see this an important step and do not hide their belief in it.
One of the channel's announcers confirms to Rozana that the preparation for this program lasted six months, in order to meet the full requirements set by Guinness.
She adds: "Talaqi channel broke some barriers. This competition will have an added value by emphasizing young Syrians' ability and competitiveness." She adds: "It's an entertaining event, and Syrians are looking forward to it and await its result. The goal of it primarily is the Talaqi [coming together] of Syrians."
Journalist Layal al-Akhras sees this as an addition to Talaqi channel's record, having been the first Arab channel to perform this feat. She makes no secret of her wish for the station to have worked on strengthening its program content, rather than stretching its broadcast hours to enter the Guinness Record.
It therefore seems that Talaqi channel poises itself to enter the Guinness Book of Records for the longest Talk Show Telethon, an entry which comes after intensive effort on its part to present itself as being outside the regime's media orbit. Despite the many assurances of the channel's management that they hired young elements and media newcomers with fresh ideas; yet an observation of the channel's workers' names will immediately notice that most of them were brought up in the regime media, in the Umayyad Square [the location of the official government Television Station] in Damascus! Was not there an Arab saying: Old habits die hard?