September Net
President of the Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi said Tuesday that national media has a central role in Yemen’s battle for public awareness and in countering misinformation spread by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.
Speaking at a meeting with Information Minister Muammar al-Eryani and heads of several media institutions, al-Alimi praised journalists and media professionals who have remained committed to state institutions and to their professional and national mission despite the sector’s limited resources.
He said the media is at the heart of the fight for truth, public awareness and confidence in the state and republic, stressing that the conflict is being fought not only on the battlefield but also over the narrative: who started the war, who obstructed peace efforts, who targeted Yemenis’ resources and who threatens ports and international shipping.
Al-Alimi warned that the Houthis exploit information gaps. When state institutions are slow to provide reliable information, he said, the militia fills the void with its own narrative.
“We do not need media that only reacts; we need media that takes the initiative,” al-Alimi said, calling for every major development to be accompanied by a clear account from the state and every important claim backed by reliable sources, evidence, figures and eyewitness accounts.
He said the diversity of media outlets within the republican camp can be a strength when they share a common direction, urging greater coordination, information-sharing and exchange of content and expertise.
Al-Alimi also highlighted Yemen’s strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, saying it should extend to the media sector through closer coordination, information-sharing, fact-checking and joint efforts to counter misinformation.