Ban on weekly newspaper criticised

Reporters Without Borders today deplored an “illegal” government ban on the weekly newspaper Al-Wasat for allegedly carrying news that “undermined national unity, stirred up religious divisions and damaged relations with neighbouring countries” and called for it to be lifted at once. Editor Jamal Amer was cleared by a court two weeks ago after the information ministry accused him of harming relations with Saudi Arabia in a series of articles but the ministry then cancelled the paper's publication licence on 5 April. The government had no right to ban the paper without a court order, the press freedom organisation said. Amer, who told Reporters Without Borders the ministry was not respecting a court decision, was banned for life in 2000 from working as a journalist for supposedly harming relations with Saudi Arabia. He was also kidnapped by soldiers in 2005 and held for several hours. No serious official investigation of this incident has been been made. The press freedom situation in Yemen is reviewed in the latest Reporters Without Borders worldwide annual press freedom report. See also: 24.08.2005 - Newspaper editor kidnapped and beaten by gunment in presidential guard car 23.02.2000 - Journalist banned from writing for life