in writing or in pictorial or in drawing form or by any other means of expression. These rights
are guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution and by the provisions of this law. Article
4: The press shall be independent and shall have full freedom to practise its vocation. It shall
serve society, form public opinion and express its different outlooks within the context of
Islamic creed, within the basic principles of the Constitution, and the goals of the Yemeni
Revolution and the aim of solidifying of national unity: No obstacles may be placed in the way
of its activities except in accordance with the provisions of this law.
Article 5: The press shall be free to print what it pleases and to gather news and information
from their sources. It shall be responsible before the law for what it prints.
Article 6: The law assures the protection of journalists and authors, and it provides the legal
guarantees necessary for them to the practise their profession, to enjoy freedom of
expression and immunity from interference so long as they do not contravene the provisions
of this law.
Section Two: Terms of Work of Yemeni and Foreign Journalists
PART ONE: CONDITIONS OF WORKING IN JOURNALISM
Article 7: Any person working as a journalist shall:
a) be a Yemeni national,
b) be at least 21 years old,
c) enjoy full citizen’s rights,
d) not have been found guilty by a court of an offence against honour and integrity unless
his/her reputation has been restored in accordance with the law,
e) be the holder of a qualification from a college or institute or have journalistic experience of
not less than three years,
f) work effectively and continuously in journalism.
Article 8: In addition to fulfilling the conditions set out in Article 7, a chief editor shall:
a) not work for a foreign state,
b) be at least 25 years old,
c) have perfect knowledge of the language in which the newspaper is published,
d) have experience and knowledge of journalism not less than five years for holders of
qualifications in journalism, and eight years for others,
e) have to work in this job fulltime.
Article 9: A journalist shall lose his journalist status if he/she:
a) ceases to fulfil any one of the conditions set out in Article 7 of this law,
b) is dismissed in accordance with the law for an offence which brings disrepute to the
profession,
c) leaves the profession voluntarily to take up work elsewhere.
Article 10: The Ministry of information. shall issue Press Facility Cards. In addition to the
conditions set out in Article 7 of this law, recipients shall:
a) have a degree from a college of journalism or information or from a higher institute of
journalism or information and not less than one year’s experience in journalism, or