Journalists’ protection, press freedom upheld [Archives:2006/968/Local News]
SANA'A, July 29 ) At a workshop entitled, “Civil Community Priorities in Supporting Media,” participants stressed the necessity of protecting journalists, enhancing freedom of expression and reconsidering legislation, which they say restricts freedom of expression.
The event was organized last Wednesday by the Human Rights Information and Training Center (HRITC).
Workshop participants called for enacting new legislation to permit ownership of audio and visual media means, as well as ensure the right to obtain and publish information. They insisted on canceling the Ministry of Information, replacing it with a national committee and enabling the private sector to own audio and visual media means.
Noting that 70 percent of Yemenis are illiterate, Members of Parliament, academics and human rights activists participating in the workshop called for private ownership of media means and asked tribal sheikhs, constituting the majority of the 301-member strong Parliament, to help pass new legislation upholding freedom of expression.
Participants remarked that Yemen's legal environment chains freedom of expression, even in areas other than journalism, proving the authenticity of their complaint by citing the Penalty Law, wherein one article stipulates punishment for publishing information.
They affirmed the importance of training press personnel and concentrating on universities to produce media graduates capable of playing a tangible role in society.
Addressing participants, Minister of Human Rights Dr. Khadija Al-Haisami said, “It's of crucial importance to pay closer attention to public rights and freedoms, particularly press freedoms, when discussing human rights issues. It's the right of journalists to enjoy legal protection, which can't be achieved unless there's a legislative media environment complying with human rights principles.”
Ahmad Al-Ubaid, Human Rights Project Director in the Sana'a-based United Nations Development Program (UNDP) office, presented a paper discussing the key elements of applying international conventions concerning press freedom.
Discussing legislative problems facing media and mechanisms to deal with them, Al-Ubaid argued that media must be free from any government control. Journalists must enjoy the right to own media means, request information and preserve the identity of their sources. He indicated that journalists' duties and work restrictions must comply only with justifiable legislations.
“The silencing of mouths in Yemen also has reached MPs,” an MP lamented, “Active MPs who criticize the government don't receive support from their colleagues to demolish restrictions imposed upon the press.”
Another MP noted, “Journalists are subject to imprisonment for their opinion writings. Similarly, we in Parliament are prevented from expressing our opinion.” Meanwhile, a third MP criticized the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) for not moving toward actual reform or suggesting amending laws that restrict freedom of expression.
Speaking at the workshop, Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS) President Nasr Taha Mustafa ascertained that Yemen's journalism situation is neither good nor bad. He emphasized that protecting journalists and press freedoms tops the YJS agenda.
Opening the workshop, HRITC Chairman Ezziddin Al-Asbahi stated that the workshop is part of a comprehensive program, including a study on the legislative environment to identify its negatives, mainly restrictions on freedom of expression.
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