AMMAN — Jordan ranked 120 (out of 180 countries) for 2022 on the World Press Freedom
Index, published by
Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Moving up nine places
since last year, Jordan ranked fifth in the Arab world, after Comoros,
Mauritania, Tunisia, and Qatar.
اضافة اعلان
The aim of
the World Press Freedom Index is to compare the degree of freedom enjoyed by
journalists and media outlets in the 180 countries analyzed. The analysis is
based on the definition of press freedom developed by RSF and its group of experts,
in the context of the systematic review of the 2022 edition.
They defined
press freedom as “the effective possibility for
journalists, as individuals and as groups, to select, produce, and disseminate
news and information in the public interest, independently from political,
economic, legal and social interference, and without threats to their physical
and mental safety.”
In its report
the RSF said that Jordan is known for its political stability, which
distinguishes it from its neighbouring countries, but media professionals
censor themselves and respect the implicit red lines around certain
subjects. It added that Jordan’s media are rarely independent and many
television channels such as Al-Mamlaka TV are semi-governmental.
Jordan also has state, private and community radio stations, as well as
independent media platforms such as 7iber and Aramam, the report
stated.
The report
went on to say that the authorities control certain media outlets by appointing
their editors (including those of Jordan TV, the Jordan News Agency,
Petra, and the Al-Dustour and Al-Rai newspapers) and
controlling their finances.
Commenting on
the legal framework, the report said that ever since the media law’s revision
in 2012, the authorities have stepped up their control, especially over the
internet, where hundreds of sites have been blocked. Under the 2015 cybercrime
law, certain website and social media posts are punishable by prison sentences.
Journalists are often prosecuted and even convicted under an extremely vaguely
worded terrorism law. It added that the authorities can prosecute journalists
and force them to pay heavy fines, while the Broadcasting Commission charges
broadcast media outlets exorbitant amounts for their licenses. Privately owned
media outlets, especially those not controlled by the authorities, struggle to
survive due to a lack of financial resources. Some choose not to criticize
private sector companies and public figures in order to obtain funding.
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