Demanding of the government to follow policies that urge for prosperity and development of independent media and US Embassy announce of the project of professionalism and media reform
The chairman of Studies & Economic Media Center (SEMC) Demanded the government of national reconciliation to follow policies that urge for prosperity and development of independent media in Yemen through adopting policies to reduce violations, printing newspapers with low prices and recommending the formal institutions to adopt the transparency and disclosure programs through journalism.
" The press in Yemen has faced many problems and that caused that many of newspapers has struggled for survival and some of them has been stopped. But now many of these newspapers are facing different challenges whether in institutional development or the inability to attract financial resources from unclear advertisement and lack of professionalism in dealing with media" Nasr said in the opening session of the project of promoting independent media in Yemen that implementing by SEMC in cooperation with US Embassy in Sana'a.
Nasr pointed that the center aims through this program to develop free Yemeni media in order this sort of media will be initiative in enhancing freedoms and serve the community issues. He also explained that the center targeting the administrative team of newspapers and sites began with editors and executive directors to the editors, financial managers, marketers. Totally the center will target 220 of independent media institutions cadres during the current years.
In his part Media and Culture officer in US Embassy in Sana'a Mario Crifo
announce today that the United States is sponsoring the IREX Journalism Reform and Professionalization Project to support the Ministry of Information, the Journalists’ Syndicate, SEMC, and other media institutions as they work together to address this issue.
"The IREX Journalism Reform and Professionalization program will help journalists in Yemen to create their own Code of Ethics for Journalism. The IREX program, and the SEMC program that begins today provides professional training to increase awareness of these issues and enhance the skills of journalists" Mario said
In his presentation Mario pointed out that Journalists played a critical role in Yemen’s revolution, and now play a vital role in Yemen’s transition, also The information from journalists will allow the Yemeni people to participate in the reform process.
He asserted that journalists will need better legal protections that promote freedom of the press. Pointed that with increased freedom of the press for journalists, come increased responsibility, and they must always serve the public benefit, and ensure that their reporting is fair, accurate, and balanced between all the sides of an issue.
In the begging of his presentation Mario said that today is the 45th day since the signing of the GCC Initiative in Riyadh, and the 45th day before the presidential elections that will mark an end to the previous regime and a start to the next phase in Yemen’s political transition.
"A lot has been accomplished until now in phase one, especially in the area of security. But we all know that the biggest challenges are still in the future Reestablishing essential public services of electricity, water, distribution of fuel, and clearing schools for children to return" Mario Said.
"After the elections, there will be a National Dialogue and Constitutional Reform process and the voices and interests of youth, women, Southerners, and workers must be represented and heard in that process" he added.
In the time of media & culture Officer said that The new government faces enormous challenges in economic development, public health, education, he hoped that 2012 to be the year in which Yemenis come together to begin the hard work of national reconciliation, reform, and rebuilding.