SEMC Launches a Dialogue Between Yemeni and International Journalists

By Mohammed al-Kibsi The Studies & Economic Media Center in cooperation with the US Embassy in Yemen launched a new program between Yemeni and international journalists aimed at enhancing knowledge and experiences on various journalistic skills. In a meeting organized this morning between Yemeni journalists and the American photographer/ journalist Luck Somer, the risks faced by Yemeni journalists who were photographing current events were discussed as well as the technicalities of professional photography during conflicts and ways to establish credible proof to one's footage in controversial and ambiguous situations. Luck discussed with 20 young Yemeni journalists the importance of photography in press and media in general, especially with the spread of new media technology. He also talked about his own experience in photography as well as highlighting the basic criteria for accepting pictures on an international level. Participants stressed out the need for the organization of future similar meeting as Yemeni photographers should aimed at improving their skills, adding that they were in favor of preparing a guide citing the risks run by photographers in times of conflict and the managements of public opinion campaigns against targeting photographers.