YJS Denounces Harassments Against Journalists

Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS) demanded authorities to drop the accusations and halt fellow journalist Abdul Karim Al-Khaiwani's trials, stressing the measures are directed to his journalistic activities.

The YJS also denounced the way in which official media covered his trial's news, hinting they are seeking to mislead the public opinion and to present Al-Khaiwani as a convict.

In its statement released on Thursday, the YJS expressed its concern over the violations that targeted several partisan and independent media together with blocking websites the last of which was al-ishtraki.net. The electronic site of Yemeni Socialist Party has been blocked for the fourth time within a year.

Meanwhile, the YJS sees the blocking of al-Ishtraki.net and yemen.portal.net to be a direct attack on press and expression freedoms and hinted the government has not been capable of keeping its promises.

It also called on journalists to unite and promote the profession's ethics as well as avoiding the political bias which diverts Yemeni journalism from its role as stated in law and constitution.

In related news, fellow journalist Walid Al-Saqqaf initiated a campaign aiming to halt blocking the Yemeni electronic websites.

Al-Saqqaf, in his lecture delivered at Oslo University, criticized the ruling system and stressed they suffer shortsightedness as they resorted to blocking in an effort to prevent citizens from accessing these websites.

He added that this matter will be raised before several organizations interested in press freedom including World Press Freedom Day Celebration.

In related news, fellow journalist and head of coordination and follow-up committee of electronic media Hasan Al-Zaidi pointed out they reached no solutions with authorities as for halting the block of electronic news websites, hinting they will continue their struggle and convince the members of YJS general assembly to produce a text concerning the introduction of electronic media as well as accepting those working with these sites as members in the syndicate.

Al-Zaidi, also secretary of freedoms committee at YJS, stressed that fellow members show understanding towards the issue, hinting that electronic media serves the written papers.

He added they will work on having a code of honor to bind all media men including those working for electronic websites, expressing his fears that the new press law will impose restrictions on this sort of press.