As the political environment grows increasingly unstable, so does the working conditions for Yemeni media. Photo: Andreas Sugar/IMS

In a year of major changes in the Arab world, Yemen has witnessed its share of turmoil in 2011. In addition to tension and fragmentation along regional and tribal lines, the past year's unrests and unstable political environment is taking its toll on the Yemeni media

In light of the recent instability, International Media Support (IMS) carried out a mission to the country in December 2011 and visited media in both Sana'a and Aden in the south.

The report "Media in Turmoil" provides an overview of functioning Yemeni media and their challenges based on the findings of the mission team, as well as recommendations for media support.

Read the full report here.

Attacks on media

The situation of media and journalists has been worsening in parallel with the political and security developments. Many independent and opposition media outlets have experienced direct attacks, with several journalists killed and injured. According to various sources on the ground, 588 violations against media workers were reported between February and December 2011.

Both print and online media have been targeted, with confiscation and destruction of newspapers and the permanent closure of websites. International journalists have virtually been banned from entering the country, leaving little room for external coverage of developments in Yemen.

Media In crisis

The media sector, especially in Sana'a finds itself in a serious existential crisis, as severe pressure mounts both on a physical and financial level.

While trying to navigate the dangerous political environment, journalists are also struggling to survive on increasingly meagre salaries, and some of the beleaguered outlets are forced to completely rethink or even close down their operations.

Also, the lack of basic skills among editors and journalists is becoming ever more pronounced. The conflict has had a negative impact on the tone and independence of the media, which often results in emotional reporting lacking journalistic objectivity.

Recommendations for media support

Given the state of crisis of the media in Yemen, coordination of efforts, particularly the support of international organisations to media in the country, needs a coordinated approach. To accomodate this, an international partnership meeting with organisations looking to support media in Yemen will be convened in the coming weeks.

The report also highlights the need for training of journalists and media workers in all branches and at all levels from editors-in-chief to stringers on the ground. Courses are required in a number of areas including safety, conflict sensitive and investigative journalism, ethics, and video/photo in conflict situations, business management, and online and new media. Media reform is another key area in need of support to ensure a strengthening of the country's media if political conditions will allow it.

Most of the media content is produced by and aimed at the population in the urban centres. However, the majority of Yemenis live in rural areas. Efforts should be made to support news dissemination to the rural areas and far reaches of Yemen.

Read the full report here. For more information, please contact hwa[snabela]i-m-s.dk.