Asad in search of legitimacy

"The Syrian regime, ruled by the Ba'th socialist party and headed by presidents from the 'Alawi minority, faces problems of legitimacy vis-a-vis its people, which it tackles through powerful security organizations and the state media." "Text, photographs and cartoons are marshalled in support of promoting the consensus accepting the legitimacy of the state. Analyzing the political domestic message of the Syrian press - as well as the quotation of newspaper sources in the original Arabic, and their English translation - shows up the problems faced by the shapers of public opinion in Syria, revealing what they see as the weakness of their state, society, regime and president. The book also looks at the new "message period" of Bashar, Hafiz al-Asad's son and successor."--Jacket.