2. This presentation will outline the major findings
and points made in the Summer 2013
International Media Development Group's report
on the Kingdom of Jordan's Press and
Publications Law. The full report can be found at
https://jordanianculturalpolicy.wordpress.com/r
eport-summer-2013/
3. Constitution
Penal Code
Press and Publications Law
Jordanian Press Association
Journalists Codes of Ethics
InternationalTreating
4. Established in 1998 and amended in 2007 and
2012
Guides government regulation (content and
licensing) policy of print, broadcast and
electronic media
Subjected to much debate and received harsh
criticism from news organizations,
international NGOs and foreign governments
5. Limits press freedom
UsesVague Language
Lack of commitment to international law
6. Organizations must register with government or be subject to
shut down (carries financial burden).
Owners/chief editors must be a member of the Jordanian Press
Association (only accepts print journalists, doesn't approve all
journalists).
Owners must be Jordanian
Owners/chief editors of websites are responsible for all content on
website (including viewer comments)—unrealistic expectation for
electronic media
Journalists/editors/owners subject to laws limiting freedom of
expression (i.e. no one in Jordan can say anything negative about
the King or government.This includes the comments on
websites).
7. PPL does not clearly define who is considered
chief editor or even a journalist
The definition of electronic media is also
unclear
"an electronic site on the internet with a fixed
address that offers publication services"
Who is subject to this law?
8. The Kingdom of Jordan is a signatory on many
international treaties and conventions that
guarantee the right of expression including (but
not limited to),
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Arab Charter on Human Rights
Jordan's PPL law violates such treaties by
denying the freedom of expressing and opinion
9. For Jordanian news organizations
For the Kingdom of Jordan
IMDG Commitments
10. 1. Develop alternative plans should news
organization/website be shutdown
Develop plans to use proxy servers to continue to public content
Utilize social media sites
2. Register news organization (only if organization has the
means and lacks the ideological differences to do so)
3. Pressure Jordanian government to reform press
regulation policy
4. Continue with demonstrations against current policy
11. 1. Repeal 2012 amendments of PPL
2. Unblock websites
3. Lift licensing requirements
4. Lift membership requirements
5. Repeal laws placing limits on freedom of expression
6. Continue to examine media policy and work to
ensure media freedom
12. 1. IMDG is committed to the support Jordanian
News Organizations
Financially
Advisement
2. IMDG will continue to put pressure on the
Jordanian government to reform media laws
3. IMDG is committed to the current IMDG
media development and sustainability projects
in Jordan.
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