15 September 2024: Yemeni media leaders have called for strengthening the role of peace journalism and equipping journalists with the necessary skills and tools to promote peace. They also emphasised the importance of keeping journalism independent and avoiding alignment with the conflicting parties in the country’s ongoing war.
Speaking at the second meeting of the Media Alliance for Peace in Yemen (MAP-Yemen), organised by the Tamadon Foundation, former Minister of Information Dr Nadia Al-Sakkaf described the dominant media discourse in Yemen as “dangerous and catastrophic.” She urged for an alternative narrative that promotes peace and supports initiatives aimed at fostering it.
Dr Al-Sakkaf presented a brief overview of the evolution of Yemeni media, tracing its journey from pre-2011 to the present day.
“Since 2011, media freedoms have expanded dramatically, with a significant rise in internet and social media usage for disseminating information due to their speed and accessibility. However, there remain no media policies to guide this freedom,” she explained.
She stressed the need to support peace journalism at this critical time by equipping journalists with the tools and skills necessary to challenge the prevalent war-driven narratives. She also highlighted the importance of adhering to journalistic ethics, avoiding alignment with the agendas of warring factions, and promoting positive de-escalation while addressing the dangers facing Yemeni society.
Dr Al-Sakkaf further emphasised Yemen’s urgent need for civil alliances that reject the continuation of the war, aim to end it, and work towards establishing national consensus for a democratic state.
Nabil Al-Asidi, a member of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate, echoed these calls, urging journalists to avoid hate speech and incitement, warning against becoming “weapons of war.”
He pointed out that a previous syndicate study revealed alarming figures about incitement through media, highlighting that all sides in the conflict use media as a tool and a target.
Al-Asidi called for a return to core journalistic values, advocating for objective and rational discourse that addresses the root causes of conflicts, encourages dialogue to prevent violence, and explores viable solutions.
He urged journalists to steer clear of bias and propaganda, focusing instead on enhancing the prospects for peace in their reporting. He emphasised the importance of using language that fosters peace and supports its initiatives and proponents, all while adhering to the principles of high-quality journalism.
The Media Alliance for Peace in Yemen (MAP-Yemen) project, spearheaded by the Tamadon Foundation, aims to create a media environment supportive of peace in Yemen.
For more information, visit the MAP-Yemen website: https://map-ye.org/
