(3) Cases of violation of media freedoms, March 2024
The Media Freedoms Observatory in Yemen released its monthly report “Infographic” on the status of media freedoms and the arbitrary practices against journalists and media outlets, documented (3) cases of of violations against media freedoms during March 2024.
the violations recorded by the Observatory have varied one arrest and two interrogations and the prosecution of journalists over media activity.
the Observatory recorded three violations in the governorates of Sana ‘a and Aden .
The report pointed out the parties committed such violations, are the Yemeni government 2 cases, the Houthi group committed one case.
Ongoing Crackdown Campaigns.
As a continuation of the campaigns of censorship and crackdown against journalists, organizations and media outlets, the Yemeni Media Freedoms Observatory has obtained an official memorandum committing all owners of halls and hotels to not permit the holding of any media events not authorized by the National Southern Media Authority, a non-competent body performing the functions of the Ministry of Information, and imposing many requirements and restrictions on the journalism work.
These restrictions increased on journalists and independent media or those not loyal to the STC in Aden during the last phase, the most recent of which was the arrest of YouTuber Muhammad Al-Shishan on the grounds of filming a commercial advertisement without prior permission from the so called the National Southern Media Authority. This matter gradually led to the dominance of one party over media outlets operating in the city of Aden.
The Authority obliged external broadcasting offices contracted by Arab and international media channels to send the name, in advance, of the person required to appear on those channels to the Authority for approval. The Authority will decide whether to approve or reject them. Also, the media workers are prevented, by the Authority, from preparing press coverage and reporting on political, economic and humanitarian aspects until after obtaining prior authorization from the Authority.