freedom of press? [Archives:2000/46/Viewpoint]

Article No. 6, of the Press and Publication Law for Yemen stipulates that:
The law assures protection of journalists and authors, and provides legal guarantees necessary for them to practice their profession, to enjoy freedom of expression and immunity from interference, so long as they do not contravene the provisions of this law.

Article No. 13, of the same law stipulates that:
A journalist may not be interrogated on opinions which he has expressed or published and which may not be used to inflict harm on him/her provided what he/she published is not contrary to the law.

Article No. 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights indicates that:
Every person has the right to expression and opinion, and this includes the freedom to adopt whatever opinions without any interference.

Decision No. 104 which was endorsed by UNESCO in its 25th meeting concentrated on. Enhancement of the freedom of thought exchange through word, photograph at both national and international levels

There are many other rules and regulations made to protect freedom of journalism and press, adding to it is the declaration adopting the 3rd of May as an international day for freedom of press.

However, after receiving several phone threats Mr. Imad Ahmad AlSaqqaf, chief of Taiz bureau of Yemen Times, was attacked last Sunday afternoon, by a bunch of soldiers in Taiz. He was beaten and dragged to their car when some citizens around rushed for rescue and got him released.

This phenomenon is not only in Yemen. In fact compared with many third world countries, we here in Yemen enjoy a little more freedom than others. These words being written now are an example of that. The idea is that it is not enough.
There must be a way safety is guaranteed for us. It is not easy to be a journalist, to gather news, strive to deliver a message and on top of that get beaten up!

This is not the first incident of its kind, many journalists have been beaten up and humiliated because of their profession. If the few rules and articles mentioned at the beginning and many more, can not provide security and safety for press then what would?

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