Ammon News - by Hani Hazaimeh/ Jordan Times

AMMAN — The government has reiterated its commitment to freedom of the press and expression, stressing that the blocking of unregistered news websites was in implementation of the ratified Press and Publications Law.

In its response to a letter from the International Press Institute (IPI), the government said the legislation went through all constitutional stages to become a full-fledged law.

“It is the government’s constitutional duty to implement the law, and failing to do that would undermine one of Jordan’s main democratic indicators,” Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said in a statement issued by the government in response to the IPI letter.

“… Upon their request, news websites have been given a sufficient period that lasted more than eight months to register. Only 94 news websites abided during that period,” Ensour added.

The premier noted that since the law came into effect on June 1 this year, 15 news websites have registered, in addition to another 50 who have rectified their status to become general websites instead of news websites.

In its letter, the IPI commended the government’s commitment to safeguarding press freedom but called for lifting the ongoing blocking of over 300 news websites in the Kingdom, to ensure that citizens have access to important information concerning both domestic and international issues.

“IPI considers the recent blocking of websites in Jordan as a step backward for press freedom and democracy, in particular, as it is the outcome of the implementation of a law that is not in line with internationally accepted press freedom standards and practices,” the press freedom activist group said.

In the attempt to find a long-term solution that addresses concerns over news quality and accuracy without infringing on press freedoms, IPI said it has suggested — in a letter to His Majesty King Abdullah — the creation of a multi-stakeholder taskforce including representatives of various sectors of the news media industry, to assist in decisions to regulate the media.

“We believe that this would ensure a broader and more diversified input and, therefore, a strong commitment to press freedom and democracy in Jordan,” IPI said in the letter addressed to Ensour last month.

“IPI would welcome any support that Your Excellency can offer towards the creation of such a taskforce and, with our global community of experts, we remain at your disposal for any advice and support we can provide in this process.”

The premier underlined that the registered news websites have not been less critical of public policies and government behaviour, which, he said, clearly indicates that the Press and Publications Law seeks to organise this emerging domain and not to undermine freedom of the press.

“The government understands the importance of developing the media sector in order for the media to better seek truth and inform the public, and to uphold its responsibilities and duties in defending the society’s interests,” he said.

“We are keen to develop a relationship with the media based on transparency, openness and responsibility to secure a free platform that impartially reflects citizens’ views, and professionally defends their interests through [an] adequate legal framework to achieve balance between freedom and responsibility,” Ensour noted.