There is a close correlation between the process of economic and administrative reform and the media. The more effective media flow becomes, the more successful the reforms will be, and hence economic development. Moreover, media is gaining more importance as well as becoming a major power, through the employment of information in the various processes of change and development.

The media flow can contribute to preparing a conducive environment for reform, by focusing on difficulties and obstacles facing reforms as well as highlighting plans and programs drawn to overtake those problems. Moreover, the media could play a major role in convincing the public to stand with the reform objectives.

There are several factors necessary for the media flow in order to be effective in the reform process. The most important are the quality and quantity of the flow, merging media plans with the reform plans, the integration and coordination between mass media, and the need for diversity and continuous innovation.

In evaluating the media flow with regards to the economic reform program and the implementation of the First Five-Year Plan, we can highlight the following remarks:

The media has been absent during the preparation phase prior to the implementation of resolutions and measures relating to the reform program. The Government basically depended on the surprise element which has many mischief in relation to the credibility of both the media as well as the reform program.

Right from the beginning of the implementation of the reform program, the media flow managed to link reform with development implying that reform would lead to development. In the later stage, however, the absence of the media flow was simultaneous to the delay of any economic development resulting from the reforms.

The media flow succeeded in marketing positive outcomes of the economic reform, while at the same time turning a blind eye on negative results such as economic recession and deteriorating standards of living. Moreover, there has been a deliberate undermining of some declared resolutions and measures relating to the reform program, which until now have not been implemented.

Corruption with its various aspects have been generalized by the media, with no real intention to disclose corrupt people.

Illegitimate media appeared in the form of rumors, mis-information and distorted news as a result of loopholes and unbalanced media flow.

Inadequate media flow, unbalanced coverage and the traditional norms and styles used to cover the reform program, thus rendering the influence of the media quite impotent.

Scarcity, if not absence, of initiatives and new ideas within the media. The media flow is overwhelmingly reactionary reflecting the Government’s vision on the media’s role.

Finally, as we cannot have an effective economic reform with an ineffective media; similarly, the media would not be effective unless it is first reformed and developed. Thus, for modernizing the media and in order to enable it to become more effective and efficient, the state has to reconsider possible means that need to be provided in conjunction with the role anticipated from the media. This can be carried out in Yemen through adopting a strategy that envisages modernizing the media system in accordance with world-wide development in thinking, planning and the implementation. The media should also respond to the society’s new needs as well as to be able to accommodate political, economic and social changes.