JournalismPakistan.com | Published October 27, 2015
Join our WhatsApp channel
BRUSSELS: A one-day international meeting, hosted by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and co-organized in cooperation with the Global Forum for Media Development and International Media Support on 26 October at the Press Club Brussels Europe, agreed on an action plan to address the horrific situation facing journalists in Yemen.
The meeting brought together media freedom and development organizations and observed by UNESCO, UNDP, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and the EU Delegation to Yemen.
The gathering sought to raise awareness of the increasing media safety crisis and to collaborate on providing coordinated support to Yemeni journalists. Ten of them have been killed in 2015 and 16 remain held captive, mostly by Houthi rebels, according to the Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate (YJS), an IFJ affiliate.
The YJS General Secretary, Marwan Dammaj, joined the meeting via videoconferencing from Amman, Jordan, and described the climate of violence, torture and threats journalists are working in.
“We have evidence of arrested journalists who have been subjected to torture. How can we work as our colleagues are being tortured? We are working in a situation in which we can be arrested at any time. We are living in a climate of fear.” The IFJ was frustrated that Dammaj was not able to enter Belgium for the meeting due to bureaucratic problems.
The plight of Yemeni journalists was echoed by Nadia Alsakkaf, Information Minister in the internationally recognized government in Yemen, who described independent journalists as the ‘protectors’ of Yemeni people who ensure the people have access to the facts and truth about the crisis.
The IFJ President, Jim Boumelha, gave strong backing to the affiliate in Yemen, one of the first to join the Federation from the region, and praised their track record in standing up for journalists’ rights for decades in Yemen.
“Marwan Dammaj and his colleagues are the real heroes of this meeting, having to confront the war and being themselves the target of harm at any time,” said Boumelha.
One of the immediate actions agreed within the action plan was the launch of a Yemen Journalists Solidarity Fund to meet the immediate health and safety needs of Yemeni journalists. The IFJ calls for contributions to this special solidarity appeal to provide financial aid and humanitarian assistance to Yemeni journalists and their families, who are desperately in need of help.
Leaders from the IFJ’s Executive Committee representing unions from UK, Germany, Iraq, Morocco, Palestine and Indonesia as well as representatives of IFJ affiliates from Norway and Belgium showed their support highlighting the importance for the global journalism community to stay together in these difficult moments.
The fight between the Houthi rebels and the international coalition led by Saudi Arabia has left a toll at over 5,000 dead and 26,000 people injured in Yemen. 86% of the killed are civilians and, according to the United Nations (UN), 2.3 million have fled their homes. - IFJ
December 05, 2024: UNESCO and IRADA hosted a national consultation in Islamabad, calling for inclusive Internet governance reforms in Pakistan to protect digital rights, freedom of expression, and access to information through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
December 04, 2024: A viral video claiming journalist Matiullah Jan was expelled from PMA has been debunked by iVerify Pakistan. The video, edited with AI, originates from the drama serial Ehd-e-Wafa.
November 30, 2024: Journalist Matiullah Jan has been released from Adiala Jail after securing bail, ending fears of a potential transfer to Attock Jail. He expressed gratitude to supporters and shared light-hearted moments about his custody.
November 30, 2024: Daily Dawn condemns the arrest of journalist Matiullah Jan as a misuse of the law. The editorial highlights concerns over the state's weaponization of legal provisions against journalists, activists, and dissenters.
November 30, 2024: The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court has granted bail to journalist Matiullah Jan in a case involving drugs and terrorism charges. He was released on a surety bond of PKR 10,000 following the suspension of his physical remand by the Islamabad High Court.
November 29, 2024: The Lahore High Court has ordered the production of journalist Shakir Mahmood Awan’s alleged kidnapper by Monday while summoning IG Punjab and demanding CCTV footage from Safe City.
November 29, 2024: Suno TV faces criticism for targeting senior journalist Matiullah Jan with a smear campaign following his controversial abduction and arrest. This raises serious concerns about media ethics and press freedom in Pakistan.
November 29, 2024: WISPAP has requested the Ministry of Interior to extend the deadline for VPN registration in Pakistan, citing the need to ensure compliance amid increasing VPN usage after platform bans.
December 05, 2024 Over 50 journalists protested in Kuala Lumpur against proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which threaten press freedom. IFJ and NUJM urge the government to withdraw the bill and engage in stakeholder consultation.
December 04, 2024 The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 faces uncertainty as Pakistan's hosting rights clash with India's refusal to participate. A political and financial standoff unfolds.
December 03, 2024 Submit your work for the Global Shining Light Award by February 28, 2025. Celebrate investigative journalism from the Global South at the Kuala Lumpur conference.
November 21, 2024 Investigative journalist Rana Ayyub received over 200 threats after her phone number was leaked on social media by a right-wing content creator. IFJ and IJU demand Maharashtra authorities take immediate action against those responsible for this targeted online harassment.
November 20, 2024 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany is accepting applications for its 2025 Berlin Fellowship Program, offering journalists from crisis areas six months of digital security training, networking opportunities, and more.