Jordan
Jordanian journalists threaten resignation over anti-corruption billPosted Oct 3 2011
Members of the Jordan Press Association (JPA) are threatening to resign if an anti-corruption law is approved by MPs, according to the Doha Centre for Media Freedom.
Article 23 of the Anti-Corruption Commission bill allows fines between 30,000 dinars ($42,000) and 60,000 dinars ($85,000) for those who publicly accuse others of corruption without proof; journalists covering corruption scandals are included in that statement.
According to The Jordan Times, the draft law passed in the Lower House 56 to 40 on Sept. 27 and is now awaiting approval from the Senate before being submitted to King Abdullah II for endorsement.
The Jordan Times quoted JPA President Tareq Momani who explained that the burden the law poses to a free press: “The media is an important player in exposing fraud, embezzlement and other corruption cases. Now, under the threat of this huge fine the media will not be able to tackle such issues.”
According to Momani, the media’s coverage of scandals is usually what sparks an investigation from the Anti-Corruption Committee.
Other members of Momani’s board have expressed plans to resign if the bill is passed. Board members Rakan Saideh and Hekmat Momoni have submitted their resignations, according to the Doha article.
The penalties of the law will force journalists who are unable to pay such fines to refrain from exposing fraud, embezzlement and other corruption cases.