SILVER LININGChallenging press freedom attacks [Archives:2008/1138/Opinion]

Dr. Mohammed Al-Qadhi
I do agree with my colleague Ahmed al-Hajj, editor of al-Sabah weekly the situation of press freedom will be worse unless an action is taken by journalists and democracy activists to stop this tremendous backsliding. Access to several websites is blocked and newspapers editors are summoned before the information ministry officials to hear warnings and threats. Al-Ayyam editor is almost under house arrest; al-Sabah newspaper is banned by authorities, Abdulkareem al-Khaiwani and Naif Hassan, editor of al-Shar'e and two of the paper's staffers are standing trial before state security court concerned with terrorism issues. Press hassling seems to escalate further. The environment is growing risky for professional independent press to operate freely.

I think Sisters Arab Forum for Human Rights (SAF) did a good job when it called last Wednesday for a meeting to discuss how such intimidation and attacks on journalists could be challenged. Yes, it is a laudable initiative which should have been taken by the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS). I do agree with these angry colleagues that the YJS is not doing enough to address these attacks. It should voice concerns and create a big commotion to stop hassling vibrant journalists. Therefore, the SAF meeting recommendation to challenge these attacks is the only way to defend press harassment.

I understand the new YJS office building purchased by the government is good but should not be an excuse to give blind eye to growing violations of freedom of expression and press. We have got accustomed that journalists are jailed and harassed in various forms, but why should they be treated worse than even terrorists? Terrorists are at large and enjoy full care from the authorities while journalists like al-Khaiwani, Hassan, Nabil Subai' and others are tried in this court specialized with terror crimes.

The paradox is that the information ministry claims these newspapers have abused the law and crossed the red lines. However, the defamation of critical journalists and politicians by name by some yellow newspapers is never considered an act against the law. The information ministry only sees reporting the protests and activities in the southern governorate crossing the red lines.

I guess the international community and donors concerned with freedom of media promotion should not keep silent for freedom of press is the only feature of democracy we still can claim to have. Now, this margin of freedom is being narrowed and critical voices are being gagged. The U.S embassy's spokesman Ryan Gliha visit to al-Sabah office last Wednesday is a wonderful gesture to show support for independent media. Mr. Gliha was right when he said independent media reflect “the real face of democracy.”” I believe if press freedom in Yemen continues to go under attack