Information Ministry calls off license of Al-Wasat newspaper
SANA’A, April 5, 2008 – The Minister of Information, Hasan al-Lawzi, issued a decree on Saturday cancelling the license of one of the country's top independent newspapers citing voilations against Yemen's "national unity".
The decree accused the paper of having committed publication irregularities criminalized under the Press and Publications Law.
The decision also accused the paper of publishing materials that undermind Yemen’s supreme interests via harming the country's good ties with brotherly countries. Although the decree did not name any country, but al-Wasat has been frequently accused by state media of harming Yemen's ties with its oil-rich neighbour Saudi Arabia. The decision furhter accused the paper of propagating separation. Commenting on his newspaper's suspension, Editor-in-Chief Jamal Amer, said the decision was "political rather than legal."
"It is a weird move, and I doubt it was decided by the Information Ministry, it is a political decision contradicting the law, and is not logical," Amer added.
Amer said that the newspaper would sue the ministry over the suspension.
Set-up in 2004, al-Wasat is known for its critical reporting on Saudi Arabia as well as sensitive political issues, particularly the government corruption.
Yemen’s press and publications law prohibits the dissemination of any material seen as harming the national unity or ties with Arab countries.
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