Syrian President Bashar al-Assad endorsed Sunday a media law that would stop government censorship of local and foreign publications, and end government control over newspapers and other publications, according to the official SANA news agency.

The cabinet discussed the final version of the new media law earlier this month.

The draft law identifies media principles, journalists' duties and rights, licensing procedures for launching audio-visual, printed and electronic media.

It provides for establishing the national media council which enjoys legal personality and administrative and financial independence.

The media law comes in line with other measures lately introduced by the Syrian government to achieve sweeping reforms in the country.

Information Minister Adnan Mahmoud said recently that the media law aims at regulating and developing media work in accordance with the comprehensive reform process in Syria.

He noted that the law will contribute to developing media performance in terms of the institutional structure, human cadres and media policies that focus on public matters, issues of citizens, linking media with society with all its components and presenting media content at a high professional level.

Mahmoud said the law will cancel penalties against journalists and ensure their freedom secured by the law, in addition to facilitating their access to information and securing their right of protecting their information sources.

Syria's press law promulgated 2001 gives the government sweeping control over newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals, as well as virtually anything else printed in Syria, from books to pamphlets and posters. The government has extended these restrictions to online outlets.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet