(Credit: Yemen Journalists Syndicate, screenshot)
The Yemen Journalists Syndicate is one step closer to creating its ethics code, Al-Shorfa, “a website sponsored by the U.S. Central Command,” reported. As we wrote earlier this summer, the syndicate “with support from USAID” started working on an ethics code.
According to Al-Shorfa’s recent report, after a June meeting related to setting up the code, now “80 journalists” are working “in workshops to produce recommendations on the conduct of the press in Yemen.” Already one workshop with “focus groups to come up with recommendations for the code,” has been held and “five other workshops are scheduled.”
The syndicate’s training committee’s Nabil al-Usaydi is quoted by Al-Shorfa as saying “The workshop’s aim is to [help attendees] put forth effective recommendations on the content and themes of the journalists’ code of conduct, part of a project to improve the professional and ethical conduct of the Yemeni press.”
Further, the syndicate’s secretary Marwan Damaj is quoted as saying setting up the ethics code “has taken on added importance in light of the proliferation of media outlets and websites, because we observed a lack of professionalism on the part of some media outlets in addressing topics, which reflects negatively on the profession in general.”
The Yemen Times noted that in September, a proposed broadcasting bill that included ensuring “patronage should not affect the content of the programs,” and prohibiting “seditious, provocative, doctrinal or racial speeches,” was “canceled.”
The Center for International Media Ethics, which held an International Media Ethics Day Sept. 21, noted Macau is working on an ethics code as well. According to a Sept. 20 Macau Daily Times report, the government “deleted” two clauses in the country’s press law amendments related to “regulating the Press Council and the other on a Journalists’ Code of Ethics”
We’ve written to members of the Yemen Journalists’ Syndicate seeking more information and will update with any response.
Update: 10/2/2012 2:58 PM EST: Added info about the recent broadcasting bill.
