Media Setbacks in 2008

This week has by far seen the most attacks and oppression against journalism, as media rights have seen strong setbacks so far in 2008.

Journalists being cursed, pushed around and even threatened by security officials were all witnessed in different occasions this week.

One of the journalist was attacked by security forces after they saw him taking pictures of an incident that had police beating a citizen harshly. As journalists, our duty is to insure that the people see what it happening, whether good or bad. Isn’t it the job of a journalist to take such pictures to insure that it does not happen again to another poor and weak citizen?

Strong positions by journalists has made the government rethink its strategy in issuing licenses for more newspapers this year, and they fear that things will only get worse.

I agree that sometimes journalists go overboard in criticism, but such journalists are numbered, and those who criticize do so because they want to see change in Yemen.

Criticism and censorship is exactly what the Yemeni government is trying to avoid, and this is what journalists do for a living. Aren’t they considered the fourth authority by the people!