Comments on: More On Jordan’s Press Freedom Development Or Lack Thereof

By: Yazan Al-Majali

Yazan Al-Majali — Thu, 08 May 2008 23:36:19 +0000

Freedom of speech and Media independance May 03, 2008

I am a Jordanian living in the UK,

I want to bring you attention to an aricle written in a Pan Arab Web Portal, www.aaramnews.com.

http://www.aaramnews.com/website/41593NewsArticle.html

please copy and paste the link above into the address bar and have a read, I would really appreciate to know what you think about the whole situation of freedom of speech and media independance. Being Jordanian I would love Jordan to be a benchmark for Arab media liberalism and spreading the facts.

The article is not an attack on Jordanian domestic or foreign policy nor is it an attack on his Majesty however it is critisism on decision makers in the royal court.

Please have a read you can send me your feedback as a reply on here or better still a comment on the bottom of the article page would be excellent.

Hope to hear from you all

Warmest Regards

A Proud Jordanian in London

Yazan Al-Majali

By: Mohanned

Mohanned — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:17:08 +0000

http://www.ammonnews.net/arabicDemo/article.php?articleID=23356

This speaks volumes on why freedom of speech is something that our “journalists” don’t deserve..

By: Hamzeh N.

Hamzeh N. — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:32:44 +0000

The Hussein’s used to say they were guiding their country towards modernity; it looks like they’re leaving it mired in the past.

The royal family in Jordan is not referred to as “the Husseins.” You might be thinking “the Hashemites.”

By: Solomon2

Solomon2 — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:11:52 +0000

Although it might be difficult to apply American press freedoms, Jordan could adopt Britain’s laws without a problem. But the King chooses not to do it. The Hussein’s used to say they were guiding their country towards modernity; it looks like they’re leaving it mired in the past.

By: Layla

Layla — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:53:33 +0000

to me, there are just too many subjective weasel words in all these statements. and this completely undermines any notion of freedom. if there are walls built around freedom, then it’s not freedom.

By: MommaBean

MommaBean — Mon, 05 May 2008 07:32:36 +0000

Ouch. A timely reminder Nas. And, a sad one as well. Indeed even we Americans living and blogging in Jordan practice self-censorship. How sad a statement is that? Ironically, this problem is one that I see across all of the branches of government. While the top-most level may have an excellent vision, those who implement rarely understand what it means or how it should be applied. Some clarity would definitely be a good idea. I’m with Mohanned on the official guide, although I’d take a FAQ approach, e.g., What would happen if I published an article saying [insert controversial topic]? And a matching one for the powers that be that tell them what to do if…

By: Mohanned

Mohanned — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:13:08 +0000

King Abduallah II in 2005:
“Up until now, the situation was that the students with the worst grades on their tawjihi (high school graduation) tests had two options—journalism or religious affairs. The result is obvious, in both fields.”

In other news today: 55% became the tawjihi grade required for admission.

By: secratea

secratea — Sun, 04 May 2008 21:13:24 +0000

“and that we seek to empower the press and enhance its role in expressing the homeland’s conscience and the ambitions of its daughters and sons, within a framework of accuracy, objectivity and professionalism.”—-> ahhhh, the three magical words: accuracy, objectivity, and professionalism! those are basically what our journalists are deprived of and will be deprive of for a very longggg time, operating within the “limited freedom” they are offered in the lines of this letter!

By: Hamzeh N.

Hamzeh N. — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:34:03 +0000

In addition to the ever lasting point about “national unity”, the king said in the letter:

as long as this opinion does not infringe on people’s rights, freedoms, honour or integrity

I’m really disappointed that somebody that I’ve held in such high intellectual regard as our king would believe that the opinion of someone can “infringe on people’s rights and freedoms, even their honour.” integrity too! Really? How exactly does the opinion of anyone do all these things?

I don’t think I’ve heard the king make such statements before, and if that’s true, then not only will the status of press freedoms in Jordan have gone to the worse, but also the statements coming out of our top most leadership, and that is something to really be disappointed about.

I guess we shouldn’t hold our breath too long for any change to happen.

By: Mohanned

Mohanned — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:44:35 +0000

I am serious now: Why don’t they create drafts journalistic pieces addressing any potential issue that might arise. For example: How to critisize an official:1-…. 2-….

By: kinzi

kinzi — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:24:43 +0000

Several ‘hhmmmmmms’ in this post. I dont’ think it is one you can write about too much.

I think ’slander’ needs to be defined. It seems to include a lifted eye-brow or less than glowing praise.