In the complex tapestry of Yemen's media landscape, the "Dwindling Journalism, Mounting Violations" report by Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) provides a stark assessment of the journalistic environment in 2023. The report meticulously scrutinizes 71 distressing violations against journalists, revealing a troubling reality masked by official statistics.
This annual report for 2023 sheds light on the severe challenges faced by the Yemeni press. It encompasses a range of violations, including arrest, forced disappearance, physical and psychological assault, trials, summons, threats, torture, and other grave transgressions.
Despite a reported decline in the number of victims of journalist violations in 2022 and 2023, the organization clarifies that this decrease does not signify stability or a reduction in violations. Instead, it reflects the iron control imposed by conflicting parties on journalistic work, resulting in the closure of all public and private media offices operational before the Houthi militia coup in September 2014.
The conflicting parties strive for complete dominance over media outlets in their territories, repurposing them for military objectives. Dismissal, suppression, and restriction of journalists who oppose their policies and perspectives have become commonplace, with dissenting voices labeled as opponents.
Within this overarching environment of control, the reported decline in violations serves as a misleading indicator. The report emphasizes that these dwindling numbers are a consequence of the stringent measures taken by conflicting parties, rather than an actual improvement in the status of media freedoms.
This comprehensive report, uncovering the challenges of dwindling journalism and escalating violations, serves as a critical call to action. It underscores the pressing need to safeguard media freedoms, protect journalists, and address the pervasive challenges faced by the press in Yemen.
For previous reports and further insights, please refer to the following links:
- UAE: Suffocating Space for Independent Media
- Media Landscape in Iran: The Walls of Shame
- WJWC Press Freedom Report on Egypt
- WJWC Releases 2022 Report on Press Freedom in MENA
- Morocco's Press Freedom at Risk: Concerns of Erosion and Bleak Future
To read it in Arabic, click here.
