Jordan Times
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Premier commends level of
press freedom in Kingdom
AMMAN (JT) — Prime Minister Adnan Badran said on Tuesday that the security and
stability of Jordan had reached a stage of maturity, which constitute a fertile
soil for public freedoms to bloom.
The premier's remarks were made during a visit to the Jordan News Agency, Petra,
yesterday where he commended the level of press freedom in the Kingdom, along
with other aspects of a modern state such as media and political pluralism,
transparency and respect of human rights.
The premier, who urged local media to play their role as the fourth estate, also
pointed out the remarkable awareness shown by ordinary citizens.
Speaking to editors of the official agency, Badran said the public expected
media outlets to be true watchdogs and monitors of issues of national concern so
that they can be “rest assured that things in the country are on the right
track.”
On the National Agenda, the premier said the government has not officially
received the agenda, but had been briefed by Deputy Prime Minister Marwan
Muasher, who heads the 27-member National Agenda Steering Committee.
Badran echoed recent statements by His Majesty King Abdullah, who will receive
the Agenda after the Eid and then refer it to the Cabinet.
The King told Al Rai recently that the next step would be for the government to
study the recommendations, principles and ideas agreed to by the members of the
National Agenda Steering Committee, adding that the government may find need for
additional dialogue on issues such as the Elections Law.
The premier said ministerial committees would be formed to handle each of the
agenda's eight aspects in order to translate the recommendations into
legislation and action plans.
Muasher recently announced that the agenda included plans to cover all
Jordanians under health insurance by 2012, and create 600,000 jobs during the
coming 10 years, reducing unemployment from 12.5 per cent to 6.8 per cent.
Another plan is to abolish current legislation hindering women's empowerment by
2015, he said, adding that by 2017 allocations for scientific research will
increase from 0.4 per cent to 1.5 per cent.
During his meeting with Petra's senior editors, Badran was given a presentation
by the agency's director general, Faisal Shboul, who outlined his organisation's
plans to start income-generating projects.
He said Petra would begin selling certain products at the regional and
international level and use the money to upgrade its capabilities.