Brand X participated in a five-day mission to Yemeni capital city Sana’a and the southern port of Aden in February to learn more about the country’s independent web media.

Dawn in Sana'a

 
Yemen is in the grip of a restrictive 30-year presidency and a series of conflicts and economic difficulties which make it difficult for free media to thrive. Media laws are either weak or – in the case of web media - non-existent, and independent media encounter risks of closure if they publish anything deemed destabilising to the Revolution. Journalists are threatened and imprisoned and websites are frequently blocked.

Broken windows and bullet holes at the offices of Al Ayyam newspaper in Aden

The mission, led by Antti Kuusi – Country Coordinator for International Media Support (IMS) - aimed to evaluate the financial and technical challenges facing independent news and cultural web media in the country.
 
‘IMS continues to work with Brand X on practical ways to bring greater sustainability to media in conflict and transition’, said Antti Kuusi. ‘The data gathered during the mission forms a solid foundation on which we can prepare our plans for future activities with web media in Yemen.’
 
Jason Lambert, Commercial Director of Brand X, said ‘We found the Yemeni web media extremely open and responsive. They are passionate about their work in bringing independent reporting to the Yemeni people and they have great potential to become more financially sustainable. Our future work for them with IMS will focus on establishing a clear path to sustainability using untapped pockets of revenue potential. Our aim and expectation is to see many of them becoming self-sustainable within 6-12 months of tactical work commencing.’

Aden & The Old Town of Sana'a