Journalists in Yemen are victim to threats, attacks and abductions from all sides fighting in the war. Yemeni journalists who report on the militias face threats from all organizations, the Yemeni government and its supporters, the Houthis or AQAP (Committee to Protect Journalists). In 2018, Yemen was rated number 167 out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index. Currently, at least ten journalists are being held by the Houthis and at at least one is being held by al-Qaeda (Reporters Without Borders). In 2015, five journalists were killed in Yemen, in 2016, six were killed, 2017, two were killed and in 2018 three journalists were murdered (Committee to Protect Journalists). The numerous attacks attacks against journalists in Yemen has threatened the longevity of independent reporting in Yemen.
In areas controlled by the “legitimate” government, journalists are subjected to abuses by the United Arab Emirates’ militias. Independent local media coverage is uncommon because the majority of media outlets are controlled by the different parties. Websites are mostly blocked from civilians because the Houthis took control of the Ministry of Telecommunications in 2015. Citizen journalists in Yemen are constantly watched and can be arrested for social media posts (Reporters Without Borders).
Journalists that are critical of Houthis cannot operate safely in Houthi-controlled areas. Aden and other southern cities that used to be safe are not anymore due to the increase of violence from militias. Specifically, armed groups that are backed by the United Arab Emirates. The Security Belt and the Hadrami Elite Forces, both militias who report directly to the UAE, put immense pressure on local media outlets to not criticize the UAE or the Arab Coalition, or any country supporting the Yemeni government. Often, journalists turn to self-censorship (Shilad). When journalists self-censor, they feel the need to give the correct answer to protect themselves or their organization. Journalists self-censor their work because they are anticipating censorship from a violent group.
The Security Belt militia attacked and detained the Akhbar al-Youm printing press. The Shomou Foundation, who runs the printing press relocated and journalists that were detained were released on the condition that they would stop working for the Shomou Foundation. The paper was known for criticizing Yemeni government policies, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia (Shilad).
The satellite TV channel Belqees stopped reporting in the western coastal region because they received many threats from the Security Belt. The TV channel was told they would be attacked if they hosted independent journalists who criticized the Arab coalition. The Security Belt has also banned a journalist, Sami al-Kaf from making an appearance on Belqees. al-Kaf is known for speaking out against the Yemeni government for the continued fighting and instability in the port city of Aden (Shilad).
On September 16, 2018, the Saudi-led coalition attacked a Houthi radio station where at least four people were killed. Sherif Mansour spoke out after the attack stating the “international community should send a clear message to coalition authorities that the media are never legitimate military targets.” Houthi affiliated media outlets have been legitimate military targets for the Yemeni government (Committee to Protect Journalists).
Yemeni journalists are living in constant fear while they report in Yemen. They are constantly watched and they receive threats after they share any information. Autocrats not protecting human rights have provided an easy channel for brutal leaders to get away with atrocities against their people, especially against journalists and media outlets (IFEX).
Media in the Middle East 