(CPJ/IFEX) – Between 24 and 25 September 1997, the Ministry of Information ordered at least twelve weekly newspapers — “Al Majd”, “Al-Mithaq”, “Al-Hadath”, “Al-Bilad”, “Sawt al-Maraa”, “Al Sayad”, “Hawadeth al-Sa’a”, “Al-Hadif”, “Al-Faris”, “Tareeq al Mustaqbal”, “Al-Umma” and “Al-Urdun” — to suspend publication because they had reportedly failed to meet requirements of the amendments to the […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – Between 24 and 25 September 1997, the Ministry of Information
ordered at least twelve weekly newspapers — “Al Majd”, “Al-Mithaq”,
“Al-Hadath”, “Al-Bilad”, “Sawt al-Maraa”, “Al Sayad”, “Hawadeth al-Sa’a”,
“Al-Hadif”, “Al-Faris”, “Tareeq al Mustaqbal”, “Al-Umma” and “Al-Urdun” —
to suspend publication because they had reportedly failed to meet
requirements of the amendments to the Press and Publications Law that
Jordan’s King Hussein ratified into law on 17 May 1997. The Ministry of
Information asserted that the twelve newspapers had failed to comply with
Article 24 of the law, requiring that weekly newspapers raise their capital
from 15,000JD (USD 20,000) to 300,000JD (USD 400,000). The newspapers were
granted three months to restructure their finances, after which time they
face permanent closure if they have not complied to the law.
Representatives from the weekly press have told CPJ that more suspensions
could follow in the coming days.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 18 August and 11 June 1997**
Background Information
On 11 June, CPJ wrote to King Hussein expressing grave concern over the new
amendments, which impose sweeping restrictions on the press, providing the
state with broad powers to suspend, fine and permanently close newspapers
found to be in violation of its many vaguely worded provisions. In that
letter, CPJ protested the unreasonable and arbitrary requirements of
Article 24, which appeared specifically tailored to force the closure of
weekly newspapers which are financially weaker and have been known for
their independent and critical views of the Jordanian government. They have
published reports on alleged government corruption and carried vocal
opposition to the Israel-Jordan peace agreement. Prior to the 24 September
decision from the Ministry of Information, at least three weekly newspapers
had already been forced to close because of their inability to meet the
stringent capital requirements and their fear of incurring exorbitant fines
decreed by the new law for violating content restrictions (see IFEX
alerts).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to King Hussein:
provisions of the Press and Publications Law are clear violations of the
right of journalists to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of
all kinds, regardless of frontiers,” as guaranteed by the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, to which Jordan is a state party
of “Al-Majd”, “Al-Mithaq”, “Al-Hadath”, “Al-Bilad”, “Sawt al-Maraa”,
“Al-Sayad”, “Hawadeth al-Sa’a”, “Al-Hadif”, “Al Faris”, “Tareeq
al-Mustaqbal”, “Al-Umma” and “Al-Urdun”
May 1997 amendments to the Press and Publications Law in order to bring
Jordan’s regulation of the press in accordance with international standards
Appeals To
His Majesty King Hussein Ibn Talal
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The Royal Palace
Amman, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 634 755Please copy appeals to CPJ and to:
His Excellency Prime Minister Abdel Salam Majali
Amman, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 642 520His Excellency Samir Mtaweh
Minister of State for Information
Amman, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 648 895His Excellency Nathir Rashid
Minister of Interior
Amman, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Fax: +962 6 606 908the Jordanian diplomatic representative to your country
(in France)
Jordanian Embassy
Paris, France
Fax: +33 1 46 37 02 06(in Canada)
Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
100 Bronson Avenue, suite 701
Ottawa, Ontario
K1R 6G8 Canada
Tel: +1 613 238 8090
Fax: +1 613 232 3341(in the United States)
His Excellency Ambassador Fayez al-Tarawneh
Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
3504 International Drive, NW
Washington, DC
20008 United States
