(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 20 February 2002 letter to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, CPJ protested the recent suspension of the weekly newspaper “Al-Shumou”. CPJ has learned that the Ministry of Information issued an order for the indefinite closure of the newspaper on 3 February 2002. Seif al-Hadheri, “Al-Shumou”‘s editor-in-chief, told CPJ that the ministry […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 20 February 2002 letter to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, CPJ protested the recent suspension of the weekly newspaper “Al-Shumou”.
CPJ has learned that the Ministry of Information issued an order for the indefinite closure of the newspaper on 3 February 2002. Seif al-Hadheri, “Al-Shumou”‘s editor-in-chief, told CPJ that the ministry provided no explanation for its action and that officials have refused to discuss the matter with him. He surmised that the closure came in response to “Al-Shumou”‘s various “criticisms of government ministers.”
Mahboob Ali, head of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate, said that Ministry of Information officials informed him that the newspaper was suspended for allegedly failing to comply with licensing procedures.
Yemeni journalists and government officials have often criticized the newspaper as “unprofessional” in its news coverage.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– noting that criticism of the newspaper as “unprofessional” in its news coverage does not justify censorship, which violates international norms for freedom of expression
– urging him to ensure that the Information Ministry’s order is rescinded immediately and that “Al-Shumou” is allowed to resume publishing without further interference from authorities
Appeals To
His Excellency President Ali Abdullah Saleh
C/o His Excellency Ambassador Abdul Wahab al-Hajjri
Embassy of the Republic of Yemen
2600 Virginia Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
Fax: +1 202 337 2017Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
