Jordan Times
Monday, March 14, 2005
Monarch says private ownership
of media outlets should be encouraged
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday said private ownership of
various media outlets should be encouraged.
During a visit to Al Ghad daily, King Abdullah stressed that a free and
independent press is a key component in democratic societies, highlighting the
media's role in political reform.
The King emphasised the need to create and enhance suitable conditions for the
media to develop and effectively take part in development and democratisation
process locally and regionally, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
"The press should carry out its monitoring job as the fourth estate in a context
of responsible freedom and high professionalism," the Monarch told the
newspaper's publisher Mohammad Elayan and chief editor Imad Hmoud during the
meeting, attended by Royal Court Minister Samir Rifai and Media Adviser at the
Royal Court and Director of the Communications and Information Division Sima
Bahous.
"We are looking forward to seeing our press and various media outlets set an
example of objectivity and credibility in reporting the news," King Abdullah
said, adding that the way the media handle news and analyse developments should
be based on a scientific approach and ethics of the profession, "away from half
truths and distortion of facts."
The King urged the press to reject all forms of violence and hatred and to play
an effective role in support of efforts to entrench peace and security in the
region. "We, the Hashemites, have adopted the Amman Message as an initiative
that seeks to display the true image of Islam as a faith that promotes dialogue
and coexistence and rejects violence, extremism and bigotry," the King stressed.
King Abdullah stressed the need to resort to the law in defining the red lines
in the work of the press, noting that a specialised judge has been assigned to
look into all press-related complaints.
The decision, the King said, is to accelerate court procedures regarding these
files.
The King also called for unifying efforts to train journalists as well as
cooperation with highly-reputed Arab and international institutions in the
field.
"We need competent journalists and media that can do vigorous and balanced
investigative reporting in pursuit of the truth," he said.
Officials, meanwhile, said King Abdullah plans similar visits to other
newspapers in the near future.