(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – ARTICLE 19 has sent a Memorandum to King Hussein of Jordan about the draft 1998 Press and Publications Law, together with an appeal to the Jordanian Government and Parliament not to pass it into law. ARTICLE 19 considers that the proposed legislation would constitute an unacceptable threat both to media freedom and […]
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – ARTICLE 19 has sent a Memorandum to King Hussein of
Jordan about the draft 1998 Press and Publications Law, together with an
appeal to the Jordanian Government and Parliament not to pass it into law.
ARTICLE 19 considers that the proposed legislation would constitute an
unacceptable threat both to media freedom and freedom of association in
Jordan.
ARTICLE 19 is greatly concerned about the proposed law which, if enacted,
will breach Jordan’s treaty obligations under international law, as well as
its own Constitution.
Frances D’Souza, Executive Director of ARTICLE 19 said:
“To pass this draft into law would be to turn back the process of
democratisation initiated in Jordan by King Hussein. It would be no less
than a betrayal of the aspirations of the people of the Middle East and
North Africa region who look to Jordan’s leaders to set a positive example
on human rights, freedom of expression and good governance for the region as
a whole.”
ARTICLE 19 is urging the Jordanian Government and Parliament to take the
following steps, among others, to strengthen freedom of expression and the
public’s right to know in Jordan:
prerequisite for exercising journalism
law
provisions imposing minimum capital and deposit requirements as a condition
for publishing newspapers
information and commentary that exceed the limits permitted under
international law.
ARTICLE 19 has offered its expertise to the Jordanian authorities to help in
ensuring that Jordan’s media laws fully accord with international law and
standards on freedom of expression.
