(CJFE/IFEX) – In a 4 August 2000 letter to Prime Minister Ali Abu Ragehb, CJFE expressed its deep concern upon learning that Nidal Mansour, secretary of the Jordanian Press Association (JPA), chief editor of the weekly “Al-Hadath” and chair of the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ), is being brought before the JPA’s disciplinary […]
(CJFE/IFEX) – In a 4 August 2000 letter to Prime Minister Ali Abu Ragehb, CJFE expressed its deep concern upon learning that Nidal Mansour, secretary of the Jordanian Press Association (JPA), chief editor of the weekly “Al-Hadath” and chair of the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ), is being brought before the JPA’s disciplinary committee. CJFE is particularly concerned that Mansour faces the prospect of discipline specifically because of his involvement with the CDFJ.
According to CJFE’s information, JPA Council members voted to present Mansour to a disciplinary committee after the JPA’s legal counselor accused him of a number of violations of the JPA’s regulations in connection with his work with the CDFJ. It is claimed that Mansour’s membership in the JPA should come under review because his work with the CDFJ prevents him from dedicating himself to full-time work as a journalist. The disciplinary committee has the authority to rescind Mansour’s membership in the JPA. Exclusion from the JPA would prevent Mansour from working as a journalist in Jordan, as stipulated by the Press and Publications Law. Such harsh and unjustified reprisals for involvement with an organisation such as CDFJ constitute a violation of freedom of expression, according to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Mansour is also accused of having violated JPA codes by receiving foreign funding on behalf of the CDFJ. Although foreign funding has become a controversial issue in Jordan in recent months, CJFE asserts that the JPA should avoid applying a double-standard on this issue. The JPA Council itself has reportedly approved participation in training seminars conducted by the United States Embassy in Amman or funded by USAID; it has authorised some of its members to seek foreign funding for computers; and as an active member organisation of the Arab Journalists’ Union, the JPA has benefited from substantial funding from the Netherlands.
In addition, according to CJFE’s information, the Jordanian government’s position on limitations to foreign funding does not extend to non-governmental organisations. As the CDFJ is not a news organisation, it does not appear to violate any government restrictions on foreign funding.
Mansour is further accused of being in violation of JPA codes because it is claimed that the CDFJ merely duplicates the role of the JPA. The CDFJ has been the target of a negative press campaign for months in Jordan. The CDFJ’s specific focus on issues concerning press freedom means that its work does not simply duplicate the role of the press association. Rather, this focus should enable the CDFJ to make a unique and valuable contribution to the process of liberalisation in Jordan.
CJFE informed the prime minister that it will be monitoring Mansour’s situation on behalf of the international freedom of expression community.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the prime minister:
– suggesting that a decision to rescind Mansourâs membership in the JPA, and thus prevent him from working as a journalist in Iran, would be a harsh and unjustified reprisal for involvement with an organisation such as CDFJ constitute a violation of freedom of expression, according to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
– expressing your alarm over the fact that CDFJ, an organisation dedicated to the defense of media freedom, has come under attack in Jordan
– noting that the work of monitoring press freedom is essential to any process of democratic reform, and can only benefit from diversity among the organisations promoting it
– adding that the CDFJ also contributes greatly to the work of the freedom of expression community internationally
– urging His Excellency to intervene in order to ensure that Mansour is able to remain a member of the JPA and continue his work as a journalist, including his duties within the JPA Council, while also continuing his important work with the CDFJ
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
His Excellency Ali Abu Ragehb
Prime Minister of Jordan
Office of the Prime Minister, Press Office
Amman, Jordan
Fax: +962 6 464 2520
Please copy appeals to:
Jordan Press Association
Fax: +962 6 566 7170
Dr. Fayez Tarawneh
Chief of the Royal Court
Fax: +962 6 567 7376
Dr. Taleb Al-Ref’ai
Minister of Information
Fax: +962 6 461 0942
Jordan Information Bureau
Washington, DC
Fax: +1 202 667 0777
Fadi Al-Qadi
Executive Director
CDFJ
E-mail: fadi@cdfj.org
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
