YEMENI GOVERNMENT MOVES TO SILENCE NEWSPAPERS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000833 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FO NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2019 TAGS: PGOV KPAO YM SUBJECT: YEMENI GOVERNMENT MOVES TO SILENCE NEWSPAPERS IN WAKE OF RENEWED VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTH Classified By: Ambassador Stephen A. Seche for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) In the wake of renewed violence fueled by calls for secession of Yemeni's southern governorates, the ROYG has taken action to limit the circulation of seven independent and opposition newspapers. The Ambassador cautioned President Saleh on May 5 that such action was unhelpful as the ROYG tries to defuse political tensions in the South. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On May 4, the Ministry of Information ordered the suspension of six independent weekly newspapers. In a similar vein, distribution of the Aden-based, independent daily al-Ayyam has been impeded by the ROYG since May 3. The ROYG has publicly stated that any media outlet that prints stories seen as "violating" the sanctity of Yemen's unity would be subject to similar measures. ¶3. (U) As the southern Yemeni governorates still simmer from the latest round of separatists violence, the Saleh regime has revealed a heavy-handed strategy to deal with local Yemeni media outlets that the Ministry of Information deems "use the rhetoric of secessionism and target national unity." Officials from the Ministry of Information stated publicly that the ROYG would begin applying the elements of the media law that allow the prosecution of those newspapers that are violating "the national and religions pillars" of Yemen. Deputy Minister of Information Muhammad Shahir was quoted in official media outlets on May 4 as saying that any media outlet that prints material that is deleterious to the unity of Yemen would be subject to "immediate suspension by the Ministry of Information and severe measures being taken to prosecute them to the extent allowable by law." ¶4. (U) The current issues of six weekly independent newspapers - Al-Nida', Al-Shari', Al-Masdar, Al-Watani, Al-Diyar, and Al-Mustaqilla - were reportedly removed from markets across the country. (Note: All newspapers in Yemen, with the exception of Al-Ayyam, are reliant upon government-owned printing presses for production. The ROYG has used its near monopoly over newspaper production to suspend independent newspapers numerous times in the past. End Note.) The Editor-in-Chief of Al-Masdar confirmed to PAO that approximately 15,000 copies of his newspaper were confiscated on the morning of May 5. ¶5. (U) The editorial board of Al-Ayyam has also reported ROYG action against the newspaper and its unique, independent production and distribution network. According to a statement by the Managing Editor of Al-Ayyam, military check points were set up around Aden on May 3, searching for copes of the newspaper. It is estimated that over 50,000 copies of Al-Ayyam were confiscated on May 3 and 4. Al-Ayyam employees have reported to PD staff that security officers have begun searching individuals as they enter and exit the newspaper's premises. ¶6. (C) At the conclusion of a May 5 meeting with President Saleh on another subject, the Ambassador noted our concern with the steps being taken to suspend publication of the newspapers in queQion. He told the President that such action would not/not contribute to the creation of a constructive atmosphere in which dialogue and negotiation with the South might begin. After the President railed against the media for encouraging extremism in the South, he assured the Ambassador that no paper would be the target of a political decision. Any action taken would be in the context of the nation,s press laws, he said. ¶7. (SBU) The Embassy intends in coming days to conduct publicized meetings, here in Sana,a and in Aden, with the editors of the affected newspapers as a way to demonstrate our support for their exercise of responsible journalism, in conjunction with Press Freedom Day. COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The ROYG has resorted to the muzzling of the relatively "free" media in Yemen in times of crisis in the past, including the suspension of Al-Masdar, Al-Nida', and Al-Shari' at different points in 2007 and 2008 during clashes between the ROYG and Al-Houthi rebels. The reported actions against Al-Ayyam can also be seen as an extension of the ROYG's overall tactic to limit distribution of non-ROYG-controlled media in Yemen, since the newspaper is not dependent on the ROYG for production or distribution. That being said, the simultaneous suspension and confiscation of seven newspapers is unprecedented in Yemen and could indicate the continuation of the negative trend-line for press freedom in Yemen over the past two years. The ROYG has also blocked online news sources, especially sites dealing with the issues of the former South Yemen. Journalists, news website administrators and bloggers have also been targets of threats, harassment, and violence. While the ROYG pays lip service to the importance of press freedom, it routinely acts with impunity to silence voices it would rather not hear. End Comment. SECHE