The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a call to the Houthi authorities controlling Yemen, urging the immediate restoration of access to the independent news platform Barran Press. This action follows reports of a nationwide access ban on the outlet, which is based in the government-controlled city of Marib. Barran Press highlighted the access issues beginning September 6, with users unable to access the site without using a virtual private network (VPN) for several days (JURIST).
CPJ’s statement points to the Houthis’ actions as a reflection of their ongoing strategy to target independent media and isolate the country’s population. Sarah Qudah, CPJ’s Regional Director, emphasized the urgent need for the Houthis to stop leveraging their control over Yemen’s telecommunications infrastructure to restrict internet freedom and independent journalism.
Since capturing Sanaa in 2014, the Houthi rebel faction has dominated significant parts of Yemen’s communication infrastructure. They have blocked over 200 local and international media sites, including significant outlets like Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera, aiming to suppress dissenting voices and shield Yemeni citizens from independent news sources (CPJ).
Mojamed al-Salhi, the editor-in-chief of Barran Press, interprets these efforts as a concerted attempt to erase independent journalism and monopolize the narrative. He notes that the Houthis’ stance results in a one-voice regime that leaves journalists in precarious and dangerous positions.
The climate for journalism in Yemen, particularly following the 2014 Saudi-backed intervention, has become increasingly perilous. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), journalist arrests have surged, with several reporters being abducted by Houthi forces since May. Yemen’s deplorable ranking on the RSF World Press Freedom Index, placed 154th out of 180, underscores the extreme risks media professionals face in the region.
International rights organizations argue that these pervasive actions by the Houthis could constitute clear violations of international laws protecting freedom of expression. These bodies continue to call for accountability to ensure that journalists in Yemen can pursue their essential work without fearing for their safety.