First Published: 2007-05-28

 
Yemen censors two opposition news websites
 

Journalists worried about censorship of news websites exposing real humanitarian situation in Sa'ada.

 

Middle East Online

Freedom of expression in jeopardy - © IRIN

SANAA - The Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS) says it is worried about censorship of news websites in the wake of clashes in the northern province of Sa'ada between government forces and Shia rebels.

The country’s Ministry of Telecommunications has blocked two news websites that it said failed to follow instructions, YJS Secretary-General Marwan Dammaj told IRIN. “The Ministry of Information has issued instructions to journalists and editors not to cover the war in Sa'ada in a way that runs counter to the official media’s reporting," Dammaj said.

So far the fighting in Sa’ada has led to the deaths of hundreds of civilians and soldiers and the displacement of 30,000-35,000 people, aid workers say.

According to Dammaj, www.al-shoura.net and www.aleshteraki.net, two opposition news websites, have been blocked by the Ministry of Telecommunications because they reported on the humanitarian catastrophe and fighting in Sa'ada.

Aleshteraki.net of the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP) was blocked on 16 May, and al-shoura.net was blocked late February after a flare-up in the Sa’ada clashes.

"These procedures are illegal and the websites were blocked without being taken to court. The government blocked the websites without regard for the law," he said.

“The real humanitarian situation”

The deputy chairman of the YSP Information Office, Mohammed al-Maqaleh, said they wanted to expose the real humanitarian situation in Sa'ada, although this kind of reporting “enrages the government”.

"We demand that the Ministry of Telecommunication stop blocking the website. It is our right, and the people's right to know what is happening in Sa'ada," al-Maqaleh told IRIN.

At present, the country depends to a large degree on independent local media reports about what is happening in Sa’ada.

Reporters Without Borders

In early March, the Paris-based non-governmental organization (NGO) Reporters Without Borders, which advocates press freedom, said it was concerned about growing political internet censorship in Yemen after the authorities blocked access to the opposition website www.al-shora.net on 24 February.

"The government is increasingly resorting to the filtering of online content to prevent opposition political currents from disseminating their ideas. As most newspapers and all the radio and TV stations are already controlled by the authorities, censuring the internet has also become its priority," the NGO said.

Reporters Without Borders placed Yemen 149 out of 168 countries in its 2006 annual Worldwide press freedom index.

Journalists under increasing pressure

The Yemeni Centre for Training and Protecting Journalists' Freedoms (CTPJF), a local NGO, said in its annual report in early May that there had been over 500 violations against journalists in the country over the past four years. These ranged from detentions, assaults, threats, and abductions, to trials of journalists.

"Press rights and freedoms in Yemen are going through a dangerous stage as violations against journalists increase," the report said. "Not only has the Ministry of Information targeted journalists and press freedom, but the authorities… are involved directly in this unfair battle."

In 2006, the report noted 200 violations against journalists, 47 of which were detentions.

"The year 2006 saw a dreadful deterioration in the freedom of press and expression, which made it a miserable year in the history of democracy and the Yemeni press," the report added.

Eighty-five violations were recorded in 2003, and 120 in 2004, while in 2005 the number increased to 176, according to the report.

The Ministry of Telecommunication also blocked and censored several websites during the presidential and local elections in September 2006.

 IRIN

 

Syria army agrees to respect truce in Syria’s Aleppo

Davutoglu to step down after failing to escape Erdogan's shadow

Israel strikes Hamas sites in Gaza

UN urged to take action over rebel fire on besieged Yemen city

Will London elect its first Muslim mayor?

Yemen foes discuss key issues in Kuwait talks

Egypt's Sisi touts economic accomplishments

US aid ship docks with food for Sudan war zones

Israel court recommends returning Palestinian attackers' corpses

Saudi allows Binladin Group tenders after mass layoffs

Long Erdogan-Davutoglu honeymoon coming to an end

Tunisia confident border trade with Libya will resume 'very soon'

Malta likely to become first EU member to open Libya mission

Qaeda threatens to target homes of Yemen security forces

Anti-ISIS coalition pledges additional military commitment

UN warns Eastern Aleppo may soon become besieged

London set to elect its first Muslim Mayor

Fierce fighting rages in Aleppo as diplomacy efforts intensify

Riyadh's $22.5 bn Metro project on track

Egypt court sentences prominent activist to six months in prison

UK to take in more Syria child refugees

France to host Saudi, Qatar, UAE, Turkey FMs for Syria talks

US expects more military resources for anti-ISIS fight

Standoff escalates between Egypt journalists and authorities

Turkey says ready to send ground troops to Syria 'if necessary'

Hamas accuses Fatah of organising military cell in Gaza

Egypt court acquits Mubarak's last PM

Israel to upgrade ties with NATO as Turkey lifts veto

Passengers injured as Etihad flight hits severe turbulence

Israeli tanks fire shots over Gaza border

5th edition of Middle East Homeland Security Summit to be held in Amman in November

Money and revenge push Syrians to jihadist ranks

EU conditionally backs visa-free travel for Turks, overhauls asylum system

Airstrikes resume in Damascus as fighting 'freeze' ends

Relief in Yemen's Mukalla after year of al-Qaeda rule

Saudi oil minister visits Sudan to cement improving ties

Warnings for Assad as Syria talks shift to Berlin

Is Erdogan-Davutoglu tandem coming to an end?

US troops facing growing risks in Iraq, Syria

Fierce clashes rage in Syria’s Aleppo

Yemen warring parties back to peace talks table

OPCW warns ISIS may be making chemical weapons

French court says 'Carlos the Jackal' must face trial for 1974 attack

UN demands protection of hospitals in armed conflicts

Jewish settler who led burning alive of Palestinian teen receives life sentence