MPs disagree over definition of journalist

AMMAN — The Lower House on Wednesday started deliberations over the draft amendments to the Jordan Press Association (JPA) Law, with MPs disagreeing over the definition of a journalist.

Deputies also argued over the scope of a journalist’s job and the limitations imposed on that profession.

The bill defines a journalist as a member of the JPA who practises journalism regularly and is registered on the list of working journalists.

Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani informed MPs that the amendments were all made by the JPA and that the government did not change anything. 

The government only participated in the legal drafting of the bill, Momani added.

After the Lower House endorsed the provision defining journalists, some MPs tried to reopen it for discussion, but their request was rejected. They can put forward their request once the House concludes its discussions of the draft law.

Also at Wednesday’s session, the Lower House endorsed the 2014 draft amendments to the Formation of Military Tribunals Law. 

The bill is meant to review the criteria of forming military tribunals to ensure that all judges in these courts are from a military background and to fulfil Jordan’s obligations in international accords.

In remarks at the session, MP Mahmoud Mheidat (Irbid, 9th District) called on the government to meet its obligations to mitigate the suffering of Jordanians living in the northern governorates that host hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees.

He said donors have turned their backs on the Kingdom, adding that Jordan must take strict measures to eliminate any potential risks that may emerge due to the rise in the number of Syrian refugees in the north.

Raising another issue, MP Ibrahim Eteiwi (Tafileh, 1st District) warned that Royal Jordanian faces the risk of bankruptcy if no support is provided to it immediately. The company incurred over JD30 million in losses last year.