Jordan / Middle East & North Africa

  

Attacks on the Press 1999: Jordan

In February, Abdullah II assumed the Hashemite throne after the death of his father, King Hussein. Promising more democracy and public freedoms, the new monarch immediately addressed press freedom concerns, calling on the government to amend the highly controversial Press and Publications Law of 1998. In September, legislators approved amendments that improved on the 1998…

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Jordanian press association expels three journalists for visiting Israel

Dear Mr. Sharif: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) strongly protests the recent decision by the Jordan Press Association (JPA) to expel journalists Abdullah Hasanat, editor-in-chief of the English-language daily Jordan Times,Sultan Hattab, a columnist for the daily Al-Rai,and Jihad Momani, a columnist for the daily Al-Dustour.

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Jordanian press freedom still limited, despite legal reforms

Your Majesty: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) would like to extend a warm welcome to you on the occasion of your visit to the United States. CPJ supports Your Majesty’s efforts to initiate reform of the 1998 Press and Publications Law (PPL). As you are well aware, the 1998 PPL imposed sweeping restrictions on the press. As a result it became the subject of vigorous local and international protests. Parliament amended some of the more restrictive articles of that law in September. This is a welcome development which we hope will bolster freedom of the press in Jordan and lead to bolder reforms of Jordanian laws that inhibit free expression.

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Jordanian press freedom still limited, despite legal reforms

Your Majesty: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) would like to extend a warm welcome to you on the occasion of your visit to the United States. CPJ supports Your Majesty’s efforts to initiate reform of the 1998 Press and Publications Law (PPL). As you are well aware, the 1998 PPL imposed sweeping restrictions on the press. As a result it became the subject of vigorous local and international protest. Parliament amended some of the more restrictive articles of that law in September. This is a welcome development which we hope will bolster freedom of the press in Jordan and lead to bolder reforms of Jordanian laws that inhibit free expression.

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Editor jailed for covering alleged sexual harassment by PM’s son

Your Excellency, The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a non-governmental organization of journalists dedicated to defending press freedom worldwide, is writing to protest the arrest of Abdel Karim Barghouti, editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper Al-Bilad.

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Jordan: Intelligence agents snatch local journalist

July 27, 1999 His Majesty King Abdallah Ibn Hussein c/o Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 3504 International Drive, NW Washington, DC 20008 Your Majesty: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) wishes to protest the detention of Senan Shaqdeeh, a senior editor for the evening daily al-Masaeyyah,who was arrested at his home in Amman…

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Enemies of the Press: The 10 Worst Offenders of 1998

On May 3, in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day, CPJ announced its annual identification of the top 10 Enemies of the Press worldwide. Those who made the list this year, as in the past, earned the dubious distinction by exhibiting particular zeal for the ruthless suppression of journalists. Gen. Sani Abacha of Nigeria was…

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118 Journalists Imprisoned in 25 Countries

Washington, D.C., March 25 — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported today in its annual worldwide study of press freedom that at least 118 journalists were in prison in 25 countries at the end of 1998, and 24 journalists in 17 countries were murdered during the year in reprisal for their reporting.

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CPJ and the World

Executive Director William A. Orme, Jr., who was interviewed on CNN International, Fox News “In Depth,” MSNBC “Online,” and numerous radio shows about Attacks on the Press in 1997, traveled to California for the April 6 launch of the book at a program at the Freedom Forum in San Francisco. He also addressed the regional conference…

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Press freedom news briefs from Around the world

Call for crackdown on China’s press In its effort to revive traditional socialist values, the Chinese Communist Party at its annual plenum in October resolved to tighten its grip on ideology and exert greater social control–a move that offers little hope for the relaxing of press restrictions in China.

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