Against a backdrop of historic political change for the region that has brought the country to the brink of its own revolution, The International Partnership for Yemen has released findings from its joint mission that expose the critical situation facing the media in the country.

The Yemeni parliament voted on 23 March to implement a 30-day state of emergency, a move that grants significant extra powers to President 'Ali 'Abdullah Saleh's regime to continue its already brutal crackdown against anti-government protesters. The implications for journalists covering the demonstrations are unclear, and their ability to move around freely and safely cannot be guaranteed. In a letter to the President, WAN-IFRA urged free expression organisations to condemn the attacks on journalists and express their serious concern for the state of press freedom and free expression.