Journalism in jordan: Developments in press freedom since the Arab Spring
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Transcript of Journalism in jordan: Developments in press freedom since the Arab Spring
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citizens; in particular, laws which provide special protection for public figures, such as (insult) laws, should be repealed.”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”