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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday called on Jordanian authorities to reverse a sweeping ban on 12 online news outlets accused of “spreading media poison and attacking Jordan” after they reported that the government profited from humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Program Director Sara Qudah stated: “These recent measures reflect a troubling trend for press freedom in Jordan.” She added: “We urge the authorities to uphold the essential role of independent journalism in informing the public and supporting transparency.”
The ban, which was issued by Jordan’s Media Commission on Wednesday, blocked access to several independent and foreign-based platforms, including Middle East Eye, Meem Magazine, Raseef22, Arabi21, Arabi Post, Rassd News Network, Al-Shoub TV, and Voice of Jordan. CPJ described the move as “deeply alarming” and part of a broader pattern of repressing independent journalism in the country.
The government’s action followed a recent report by Middle East Eye that alleged the Jordanian armed forces received up to $400,000 per aid airdrop to Gaza via the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO)—the sole conduit for aid transiting Jordan. The military allegedly collected these payments for logistical support. Jordanian authorities denied the claims, accusing the outlet of “tarnishing Jordan’s image.”
Bashir Al Momani, head of the Media Commission, defended the bans and accused the sites of “deliberately broadcasting false, misleading, and incorrect news” with “malicious political motives,” particularly against the JHCO. He also claimed the outlets lacked local accreditation and had failed to seek official comment. One of the banned platforms, Voice of Jordan, condemned the move, accusing authorities of attempting to “conceal the truth from Jordanians.”
The ban comes amid rising scrutiny of Jordan’s treatment of journalists and activists under its repressive cybercrime law, which was revised in August 2023. Amnesty International has strongly criticized the law’s vague language and harsh penalties, warning that it violates international human rights standards. The law criminalizes online content deemed to “provoke strife,” “spread fake news,” or “insult religions,” with prison terms of up to three years and fines exceeding $28,000.
Amnesty has documented multiple arrests and convictions under Articles 15 and 17 of the cybercrime law, including cases where individuals were detained without warrants or access to legal counsel for merely expressing pro-Palestinian views or criticizing Jordan’s policies toward Israel. The organization cited the recent conviction of journalist Hiba Abu Tahu for alleging Jordan’s complicity in Gaza’s destruction and the sentencing of lawyer Moutaz Awwad for denouncing Arab governments’ handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
CPJ warned that Jordan is becoming increasingly hostile to critical reporting and online dissent. Qudah stated: “Independent journalism is not a threat to national security—it is a safeguard for public accountability.”
The post Jordan news ban over reported Gaza aid corruption spurs press freedom concerns appeared first on JURIST - News.
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CPJ’s Middle East and North Africa Program Director Sara Qudah stated: “These recent measures reflect a troubling trend for press freedom in Jordan.” She added: “We urge the authorities to uphold the essential role of independent journalism in informing the public and supporting transparency.”
The ban, which was issued by Jordan’s Media Commission on Wednesday, blocked access to several independent and foreign-based platforms, including Middle East Eye, Meem Magazine, Raseef22, Arabi21, Arabi Post, Rassd News Network, Al-Shoub TV, and Voice of Jordan. CPJ described the move as “deeply alarming” and part of a broader pattern of repressing independent journalism in the country.
The government’s action followed a recent report by Middle East Eye that alleged the Jordanian armed forces received up to $400,000 per aid airdrop to Gaza via the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO)—the sole conduit for aid transiting Jordan. The military allegedly collected these payments for logistical support. Jordanian authorities denied the claims, accusing the outlet of “tarnishing Jordan’s image.”
Bashir Al Momani, head of the Media Commission, defended the bans and accused the sites of “deliberately broadcasting false, misleading, and incorrect news” with “malicious political motives,” particularly against the JHCO. He also claimed the outlets lacked local accreditation and had failed to seek official comment. One of the banned platforms, Voice of Jordan, condemned the move, accusing authorities of attempting to “conceal the truth from Jordanians.”
The ban comes amid rising scrutiny of Jordan’s treatment of journalists and activists under its repressive cybercrime law, which was revised in August 2023. Amnesty International has strongly criticized the law’s vague language and harsh penalties, warning that it violates international human rights standards. The law criminalizes online content deemed to “provoke strife,” “spread fake news,” or “insult religions,” with prison terms of up to three years and fines exceeding $28,000.
Amnesty has documented multiple arrests and convictions under Articles 15 and 17 of the cybercrime law, including cases where individuals were detained without warrants or access to legal counsel for merely expressing pro-Palestinian views or criticizing Jordan’s policies toward Israel. The organization cited the recent conviction of journalist Hiba Abu Tahu for alleging Jordan’s complicity in Gaza’s destruction and the sentencing of lawyer Moutaz Awwad for denouncing Arab governments’ handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
CPJ warned that Jordan is becoming increasingly hostile to critical reporting and online dissent. Qudah stated: “Independent journalism is not a threat to national security—it is a safeguard for public accountability.”
The post Jordan news ban over reported Gaza aid corruption spurs press freedom concerns appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.