Jordan Times
Tuesday, April 4 2006
Print journalists have
'relative freedom' — study
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN — A lack of access to information was the
most common impediment to press freedom in 2005, according to survey results
released by the Higher Media Council (HMC) on Monday.
The study, which measured the level of press freedom from Jan. 1, 2005 until
Dec. 30, 2005, showed that journalists experience “relative freedom,” indicating
an improvement of 6.88 per cent from a 2004 survey.
HMC President Ibrahim Izzeddine said the improvement in 2005 is due to the fact
that no cases of temporary closures were reported last year, while in 2004 one
case was reported.
In addition, no cases of prior censorship or confiscation of machines and
documents were recorded in 2005, whereas there was one case of each in 2004.
Also, no cases of pressures toward disclosure of sources were recorded in 2005,
while in 2004 six cases were reported, he added.
The “degree of press freedom” in the country last year was 56.08 per cent last
year, according to the study, which was conducted in January and March of this
year.
Data for the study came from questionnaires based on 15 indicators, answered by
journalists and editors-in-chief of 30 daily and weekly newspapers.
In addition, interviews were conducted with several activists and officials
concerned with the press in order to complement the data and facts of the
report.
While lack of access to information was the most cited problem in the study,
other factors impeding press freedom included physical harm, detention,
prevention from practising the profession, permanent job layoff, temporary job
lay- off, court trial and prior censorship, Izzeddine said.
In a 2004 HMC study, one-third of the respondents experienced a lack of access
to information.
Last year, 41.42 per cent of journalists experienced the problem, while 22.68
per cent of chief editors reported the same hindrance.
Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit received a copy of the report from Izzeddine
yesterday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
The premier said Jordan made strides with regard to press freedom, stressing
that the government does not interfere in what newspapers publish.
Bakhit said the government's decision to withdraw the amended Press and
Publications Law was meant to introduce changes to the legislation, which
enhance freedom of the press.
He affirmed that the government wants to abolish the imprisonment and detention
of journalists.
Last week, the government announced that it would consider adding a “clear-cut
clause” to the Press and Publications Law ensuring journalists in violation of
the legislation would not be arrested or jailed.