The Campaign against Yemeni Journalists Intensifies
from the Yemen Times:
When Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (YJS) chief Mahboub Ali suddenly resigned his post for health reasons, some officials considering YJS a foe initiated meetings and preparations to work on reshuffling it. Ali’s resignation marks the beginning of a broad media campaign to uncover the YJS council’s failure and the necessity for a new face to lead journalists.
The campaign appeared on the front pages of the official newspapers, particularly Al-Jumhouria, Al-Thawrah and 14 October papers. The accusations culminated with the ruling party-affiliated Al-Methaq publishing last Monday charges against the YJS Secretary General Hafez Al-Bukari and Al-Wasat Editor Jamal Amer. The paper said the two journalists’ prospective visit to the U.S. comes in the framework of personal tasks.
Al-Methaq added Hafez Al-Bukari headed for Paris during the past few days in a surprise visit to journalists having dubious relations with foreign governments and organizations.
Al-Methaq pointed out its sources weighed that Al-Bukari headed for Denmark to get financial support due to be spent on an electoral campaign for him to stand in the YJS elections.
A YJS spokesman expressed concern over what he described as a broad instigation campaign against journalists. Also he criticized what has been published by Al-Methaq paper.
The YJS Media Committee Head Ali Al-Jaradi claimed the official parties and the Interior Ministry to take measures against the instigative address aimed at spreading the culture of hatred. The address, he noted, sparked violations against journalists nationwide and acts of vandalism, mounting up to assassination attempts like what happed to journalist Haj’e Al-Jehafi. Al-Jaradi called on his colleagues not to bear animosity toward each other.
The YJS explained the travel of Jamal Amer and Murad Hashem Manager of the Sana’a-based Al-Jazeerah Space Television Office to Washington is part of the international visitor’s program to the United States. Al-Bukari traveled to the U.S. to take part in a symposium on Yemen’s democracy in Washington.
YJS never received any welcome from authorities following its February 2004 elections. Its leaders face charges of being loyal to opposition parties and failing to run the syndicate. YJS member Sami Ghaleb holds a different viewpoint, saying such charges are untrue. Theoretically, the YJS council is composed of 12 members, five of whom belong to the ruling party, plus the chief, while seven members have opposition party affiliations.
Its just absolutely idiotic.
