Media advocacy group calls for amending Penal Code

AMMAN — The Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) on Tuesday called on the Lower House Speaker and the House Legal Committee to amend parts of the Penal Code related to the freedom of the press, according to a statement from the advocacy group.

In a memorandum issued on July 8, the CDFJ stressed the need to amend the second paragraph of Article 118 and Article 150 of the Penal Code, according to the statement. 

The CDFJ urged the Lower House to take into consideration key provisions that were “missing” in the articles, adding that  their “absence” restrict press freedom and freedom of expression. 

The memo noted that the two articles constitute issues regarding the prosecution of journalists and the restriction of press freedom. 

The CDFJ warned that the articles “contravene” the constitution and guarantees of freedom of opinion and expression, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 

The freedom of expression is not a criminal offence and not amending these articles fails to guarantee the freedom of expression, according to the statement. 

CDFJ stated that journalists who commit crimes should be held accountable under the Special Publications Law. The articles in their current form allow journalists to be tried under the Penal Code and referred to the Criminal Court and the State Security Court, which is a common practice, according to the statement.