(RSF/IFEX) – On 9 November 1997, the Higher Court of Justice decided to endorse a government suspension of the weekly “Al-Mithaq” on the grounds that it had violated the controversial Press and Publications Law. The ruling against “Al-Mithaq” is the first concerning thirteen weeklies that the government suspended in September for allegedly violating the press […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 9 November 1997, the Higher Court of Justice
decided to endorse a government suspension of the weekly
“Al-Mithaq” on the grounds that it had violated the controversial
Press and Publications Law. The ruling against “Al-Mithaq” is the
first concerning thirteen weeklies that the government suspended
in September for allegedly violating the press law. The
government has said that many of the thirteen suspended weeklies
did not increase their capital to 300,000 dinars (US$ 450,000) as
stipulated under the law, enacted in 1993 and amended in June. It
said also that some did not have “qualified” editors-in-chief
who, under the law, must have ten years’ experience. All thirteen
weeklies filed lawsuits against the government, accusing it of
abuse of power and improper application of the press law. Some
argued that the suspension was illegal.
**Updates IFEX alert dated 29 September 1997**
Background Information
The amendments to the Press and Publications Law oblige
newspapers to have a minimum capital of 300,000 dinars available
– instead of 15,000 previously – if they wish to retain their
publication licences. Most newspapers are unable to meet this
requirement. Moreover, the amendments also provide for heavy
sanctions against those newspapers guilty of crimes of
“lese-majesty”, “libel” and “undermining national unity and
public morals” (see IFEX alert).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
resume publication
freedom and drawn up in consultation with journalists and media
professionals, saying that such consultation would help to avoid
future excesses of an ethical nature, of which some Jordanian
newspapers have allegedly been guilty
Appeals To
His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The Royal Palace
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 634 755His Excellency Abdul Al-Salam Al-Majali
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
PO Box 80
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 642 520His Excellency Natheer Irshid
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 606 908His Excellency Samir Mtaweh
Minister of State for Information
Ministry of Information
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 648 895
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
