The U.S. embassy in Yemen has urged pressmen to document the government abuse and violations against the media.

Launching a training course for journalists from Lahj, Aden, Dhale and Abyan that was organized by the Yemeni Journalist Syndicate in association with the cultural attaché at the embassy, the cultural attaché Debra Smith said that the U.S. is concerned with freedom of expression in Yemen and wish the media in the country to cooperate through documenting violations against them.

2009 saw many violations against the media in Yemen, she said.

Addressing the trainees, Smith said: you know the size of support the U.S. ambassador to Yemen makes for the media here; hence, we hope to take advantage of it and cooperate to protect your rights.

For his part, head of the committee for training at the syndicate, Nabil Al-Asadi, said that the course was held for reporters in remote areas to enable them to improve their skills so that they do accurate and useful stories.

The syndicate thanks the U.S. embassy for contributing to the success of this course and for all efforts it makes for the media, he said, urging the trainees not to exceed the red lines and abuse their profession.

Even the U.S. puts red lines before the media, he said.