Interior Ministry to appoint official spokesman [Archives:2006/941/Front Page]
Mohammed Bin Sallam
SANA'A, April 25 ) During his meeting with Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS) leaders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi announced that his ministry will appoint an official spokesman and establish an information center, a step aimed at helping journalists obtain information associated with local security.
“The information center aims to consolidate transparency of democratic work, which government adopts, plus spread the culture of democracy and knowledge nationwide,” Al-Alimi said.
He promised to bring a continuing mechanism to facilitate journalists' tasks and hold periodic meetings between the YJS and the Interior Ministry to tackle problems that may arise in the future.
Al-Alimi indicated that security apparatuses have a behavioral vision toward violations and abuses against journalists for several reasons, the most important of which is lack of democratic trust among social classes, including security recruits.
The meeting also reviewed results of ministry efforts regarding arresting and punishing perpetrators involved in attacks against journalists. Al-Alimi pointed out that some perpetrators were arrested, while security apparatuses still are investigating other journalist assaults to detain other perpetrators and bring them to prosecution.
He highlighted journalism's enlightening role to solve public issues, support democracy and develop Yemeni society, pointing out that such a role entails objectivity, examining authenticity of information and presenting facts as they happen.
Al-Alimi emphasized his ministry's desire to cooperate with the YJS in tackling issues and problems throughout the nation. The ministry asked Attorney-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Ulify to write a report on the capture of well-known arms trader Faris Manna'a for his recurring threats and attacks against Abed Al-Mahdhari, Editor-in-Chief of the Sa'ada-based Al-Deyyar newspaper.
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