Jordan Times
Tuesday, June 9, 1998
Prime minister meets with deputies on eve of final draft press law reading
By Amy Henderson
AMMAN — Lower House deputies yesterday evening met with Prime
Minister Abdul Salam Majali ahead of the government's expected final reading today of a
new draft press and publications law, deputies said.
Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Sa'd Hayel Srour told the Jordan Times that Dr.
Majali Sunday began meeting with parliamentarians according to bloc. Sunday's meeting was
with Al Wifaq (Reconciliation), the centrist bloc with a substantial affiliation to the
National Constitutional Party. He said yesterday's meeting was with deputies from Al
Tadamon (Solidarity).
Deputies said the purpose of the meetings was to discuss the agenda of Parliament's
extraordinary session, which opened Sunday. On the agenda is the draft press law, which
does not seem to be garnering support in the Lower House, even though its details have not
yet been officially publicised.
Deputy Abdullah Jazi, who attended Sunday's meeting with Dr. Majali, countered that
Parliament “was not with or against any side.”
“We are looking for what will be in the best interest of this country and of our
press. We spoke openly with the prime minister, but I do not want to comment yet on the
draft because we have not seen it. To do otherwise is irresponsible.”
A report published in Al Bilad weekly newspaper yesterday gave the results of an informal
survey conducted by the paper of the Lower House's support for a new press and
publications law. According to the survey, more than half of the Lower House's 80 deputies
do not support the idea of a new press law, 16 abstained from answering and 21 could not
be reached to participate.
“Parliament is under strong public opinion,” said opposition Deputy Mohammad
Oran. “In the last session, about 32 deputies were against the government amendments
of 1997. So it wasn't just opposition, and I believe that now, the government will not
have an easy time convincing Parliament.”
Additionally, there was contention among parliamentarians who believe that Dr. Majali
should meet the Lower House in chamber, rather than invite them according to bloc, and who
feel that the meetings are a tactic to drum up support for official policy.
“I also have heard that the prime minister is meeting MPs in their homes,” said
Deputy Mahmoud Karabsheh. “I think this is a kind of pressure, and I, along with some
colleagues, have refused such meetings.
“We know what is on the agenda — let's discuss it all together at the Lower
House,” he said.
Mr. Karabsheh also said that although he had not seen the law, he believed that most
parliamentarians are prepared to refuse any draft press and publications law.
“We believe that we need a democratic law, and I think most deputies are not going to
share the government's opinion. Most feel that it is our duty to bring more freedom to our
newspapers and our people.”
Speaker Srour criticised newspapers and deputies who have issued public opinions on the
draft, which will be given a final reading today during a regular Cabinet session.
“I have followed what [has been reported] in the news, but I myself cannot comment on
the draft, having not seen it, and I don't know how anyone else can offer an opinion
without seeing it either.”
Mr. Srour said he objected to media reports designed to pressure Parliament into rejecting
the law.
“It has to be understood that there is a difference between expressing your views and
lobbying your Parliament and issuing threats,” he said. “The [Lower House]
rejects this intimidation. But that doesn't mean that we are going to close our ears to
anyone's opinion. Our job is to listen to everyone who has an opinion on this, and we are
going to hear all sides of this story and then take a decision that we feel is right for
the country.”
The Lower House of Parliament, during its regular session in March, deferred a decision on
the government's 1997 temporary amendments to the 1993 Press and Publications Law —
amendments which had been rescinded by the High Court of Justice in January — but
never returned to the issue before the close of the regular session. However, prior to the
close of the session, the House's National Guidance Committee appeared inclined to reject
the law.