Syndicate reaffirms support for Al Rai, Ad-Dustour employees

AMMAN — The Jordan Press Association (JPA) on Saturday reaffirmed its support for all protests and measures carried out by Ad-Dustour and Al Rai employees against the policies of their respective boards.

During an extraordinary session, the council urged the government and concerned parties to intervene to salvage this “important part of the media sector”.

The council called for the reformation of the Jordan Press and Publishing Company and Jordan Press Foundation boards, and for a well-defined plan that addresses the causes of the financial crises they are going through.  

Last week, Ad-Dustour’s chairman and five of its board members resigned. Journalists at the paper say they have not received their salaries for the past four months.

The council urged the employees to remain united and stick to their demands to preserve their rights, adding that the papers should be salvaged, but not at their expense.  

Also on Saturday, officials and MPs looked into legal solutions for the financial crisis facing the print journalism sector, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Finance Minister Umayya Toukan and Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani met with MP Zakariya Sheikh, head of the Lower House National Guidance Committee, and its rapporteur MP Hayel Daaja, to discuss solutions within the framework of recommendations endorsed by the Lower House in this regard. 

The meeting was part of the government’s follow-up on the recommendations included in the committee’s report, which addressed subscriptions, government advertisements and possible tax exemptions. 

It was agreed at the meeting that the Finance Ministry will submit its recommendations to the Cabinet to take the appropriate decision after it studies the issue.