Blog Post #4: Pre-censorship and Post-censorship in the Eyes of Yemeni Journalism

    Article 42 in the Yemeni Constitution permits freedom of expression as long as it fits “within the limits of the law”. The Yemeni government enforces the law by both pre-censorship and post-censorship. An example of pre-censorship is how Yemeni newspaper and magazine companies are required to renew their licenses every year by presenting the Ministry of Information with a collection of their stories. Pro-government countries are issued their licenses with ease which explains why companies like Al-Jumhuryah and Al Motamar have seen success. 


Another example of pre-censorship with journalism is how the government blocks websites with provocative ideas about politics or sex. Banned sites include Mareb Press, Yemen Voice, Sahafa Net, Al-Sahwa Net and Yemen Press. Owners of these websites, along with other violators of the law often face repercussions through post-censorship. 

 

Ever since the Republic of Yemen was founded in 1990 common consequences of anti-government journalism have included arrests and detainments. Judicial actions are either taken by The Specialized Criminal Court or the Specialized Press and Publications Court.  

 

According to Media Landscapes the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has reported “57 human rights violations and abuses against journalists, including 28 killings, two enforced disappearances, one abduction, 45 physical assaults; and 184 arbitrary arrests and detentions” since the Civil War.  

 
 

 

Twitter Link 


    Even though it says there is only one reported abduction in this report, the Houthis are known for using abduction as a form of post-censorship. An example that would prove this true happened in 2014 when nine journalists were believed to be abducted by the Houthis from the same hotel. 


The real data, with higher numbers of human rights abuses, is challenging to collect since journalists have become weary of reporting—they have learned by watching post-censorship take place that it is important to self-censor in the world of Yemeni journalism. 


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