Journalism

in Jordan:Developments in press freedom since the Arab Spring

Dr. Matt J. DuffyBerry College@mattjduffy

Arab Spring Major complaint of protesters

was censorship, restrictions on freedom of speech

In Jordan, gov’t promised “immediate revision of laws governing politics and public freedoms.”

RQ: How has level of press freedom in Jordan changed since 2011?

Decrease seen in press freedom

Decrease seen in press freedom

Four main factors led to decline

Arrest of journalists who reported on royal court influence regarding corruption charges

Update of media law forced news websites to register with the government

Arrest of two journalists for posting a video deemed to be offensive to a member of the Qatari royal family

Update, use of an anti-terrorism law that allows for journalists to be arrested for vague reasons

International approaches1) Public figures & criticism [D]efamation laws should reflect the

importance of open debate about matters of public concern and the principle that public figures are required to accept a greater degree of criticism than private citizens; in particular, laws which provide special protection for public figures, such as (insult) laws, should be repealed.”

-- United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, et al

(2000)

International approaches2) Licensing of journalists [G]eneral welfare requires the greatest

possible amount of information, and it is the full exercise of the right of expression that benefits this general welfare … A system that controls the right of expression in the name of a supposed guarantee of the correctness and truthfulness of the information that society receives can be the source of great abuse and, ultimately, violates the right to information that this same society has.

Intra-American Court of Human Rights (1984)

International approaches3) Criminal defamation“Criminal defamation is not a justifiable restriction on freedom of expression; all criminal defamation laws should be abolished and replaced, where necessary, with appropriate civil defamation laws.”-- United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of

Opinion and Expression, et al (2000)

Bosnia-Herzegovina (2002), Central African Republic (2004), Georgia (2004), Ghana (2001), Sri Lanka (2002), Togo (2004), and Ukraine (2001)

International approaches4) Terrorism charges vs. journosReporters Without Borders criticized the move, noting that “putting this TV station in the same category as terrorist groups worries us and does not strike us as the best solution.”

Better solution: Calls for “imminent lawless action” or “incitement to hatred.” Laws should be narrowly tailored

The End! Slides available

at www.mattjduffy.com Dr. Matt J. Duffy @mattjduffy Berry College

Rome, Georgia, USA Teach journalism, media law Have your library order my

book: “Media Laws of the UAE”