The Third Yemeni Media Conference kicked off as more than 300 Male and Female Journalists and Human Rights Activists took part

On Monday, September 16, 2024, the Third Annual Media Conference, organized by the Media Freedoms Observatory in Yemen and the Studies and Economic Media Center (SEMC), was kicked off virtually.

Over 300 journalists, human rights activists, and representatives from INGOs participated in the Conference’s inaugurated day sessions. Mustafa Nasr, SEMC’s Chairman, said that male and female journalists and media professionals in Yemen are working in perilous conditions, as they have no authority or legal framework to support and protect them. He also called for the immediate release of detained and forcibly disappeared journalists.

“It is unfortunate that this conference is being held while dozens of our colleagues and those working in local and international civil society organizations, as well as diplomatic missions, remain abducted and forcibly disappeared under fabricated charges and false accusations”, Nasr added.

He called for cooperation between local and international organizations and all human rights defenders to advocate for their release and to hold all human rights violators in Yemen accountable.

Nasr highlighted the challenges faced by Yemeni journalists, including financial difficulties, physical and psychological abuse, digital threats, and even pressures within the media field itself. “Besides defending journalists who face violations, we, as journalists, should affirm that those who engage in incitement, use vulgar language in criticism, spread disinformation and rumors, or recruited by various factions, for personal purposes, instead of saying the truth, do not represent true journalism. “But, instead, they are a fleeting phenomenon and one of the distortions of war. We, more than anyone, as journalists, should protecting society from the disinformation and corruption they bring to media”, Nasr added.

Meanwhile, H.E Jeannette Seppen, the Netherlands Ambassador to Yemen, affirmed the continued support for journalism and civil society in Yemen, emphasizing that the protection of human rights, including the protection of freedom of expression, democracy, and the rule of law, remains a key priority of the Netherlands’ foreign policy worldwide.

She expressed her great admiration for Yemeni journalists and women journalists who continue to struggle despite difficult and dangerous conditions, saying, “That is why we are pleased to support the first Courage in Journalism Award in Yemen, which will be announced next December.”

Ms. Seppen praised the efforts of the Media Freedom Observatory, affiliated with the SEMC, in documenting violations and defending journalists’ cases, as well as providing legal, digital, and psychological support under difficult circumstances. She also emphasized that these efforts are crucial in supporting media freedom in Yemen.

She also commended the support provided to protect women journalists in Yemen, who face greater challenges in Yemeni society and are particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying and extortion.

Moreover, she called on the Houthi group to immediately and unconditionally release the Yemeni employees working with the United Nations, the High Commissioner, diplomatic missions, and non-governmental organizations who have been arbitrarily detained for more than a hundred days. She pointed out that, in addition to being a blatant violation of human rights, the continued detention significantly hinders the ability of workers to aid millions of Yemenis in need, not to mention undermining the civil space in Yemen’s north areas, under the Houthis control.

She explained that the Netherlands’s Embassy to Yemen is making efforts on behalf of the detainees in a quiet diplomacy representing a strong approach in this regard, alongside the tools used by civil society organizations in Yemen.

In the first session of the Conference, a group of journalists and experts discussed the threats and challenges facing press freedom in Yemen. Mohammed Ismail, the Executive Manager of SEMC, spoke, comprehensively, on the extent of the violations faced by journalists over the past ten years, which have amounted to more than 2,500 violations.

Hamdi Albokari, a journalist and TV reporter for Al Jazeera, discussed the various threats faced by journalists, sharing his extensive experience covering events in Yemen and the region. Meanwhile, lawyer Jamal Al-Jobi addressed the legal provisions that restrict journalistic work, and the efforts made to defend journalists in Aden.

Also, Wahib Alnosari, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Mushahid Net, spoke about political polarization and its impact on the diversity of media outlets during the ongoing war in Yemen.

The first session concluded with a speech by Mr. Feras Hamdouni, Senior Program Manager, DT Institute, who discussed the challenges and opportunities in cooperation between human rights organizations, as well as the activation of advocacy and pressure campaigns to defend journalists and reduce the violations faced by human rights and freedom activists in Yemen.

The second session of the Conference, titled “Specialized Journalism: Searching for Missed Opportunities,” featured discussions with journalists specializing in economic journalism, scientific journalism, and data journalism.

In this session, data journalism specialist Bassam Ghaber reviewed the fundamental concepts of data journalism, highlighting its importance in today’s journalism.

Scientific journalism specialist Omar Alhaiani shared a summary of his experience in scientific journalism and its requirements. Additionally, Mustafa Nasr, the Chairman of SEMC, reviewed the requirements and qualifications needed for economic journalists. The session, moderated by Abdullah Bakhrisa, a lecturer at Hadhramout University and media researcher, included a deep discussion on the importance of specialization in journalism and the requirements for journalistic work in the modern age.

The Conference concluded its third session with Fahmi Albaheth, a digital safety consultant, who provided essential tools to help journalists understand cybersecurity standards, both at the individual and institutional levels.

The Conference, titled “Media Freedoms and Digital Transformation,” will continue for five days and will feature 11 sessions covering various issues related to press freedom and supporting digital transformation. Discussions will explore the future of journalism in the face of digital challenges, the importance of specialized journalism, and the cybersecurity threats faced by male and female journalists.

The Conference will also address the significance of podcasts, the role of media in environmental and climate change issues, and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance innovation in journalism.

It is worth noting that the Media Freedom Observatory in Yemen is a monitoring and information platform aimed at disseminating information related to freedom of opinion and expression across Yemen’s various governorates in a professional and independent manner. It also focuses on analyzing and advocating for journalists’ issues at both the local and international levels.

Note: All participants can use the same link to attend all Conference sessions. Additionally, new participants can register here