CDFJ rebukes speaker for remark to restrict journalists

CDFJ
(Photo: CDFJ Facebook)
AMMAN — The Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) has criticized a statement by Speaker of the Lower House Abdel Karim Al-Doghmi on Monday, in which he threatened to take measures against photojournalists who take photographs that “infringe on the privacy of parliamentarians”.اضافة اعلان

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the CDFJ said that Doghmi’s remark constitutes a violation of the freedom of journalistic work, and contributes to restricting the work of media professionals, especially photographers, who cover the legislature.

It stressed that “the media oversee the work of the various public bodies, and this is at the core of their mission as they seek to keep the society informed”.

CDFJ noted that taking photographs of correspondence and documents belonging to the government and the deputies under the dome, and during public sessions, does not constitute an infringement, or a violation of the Constitution, or legislation.

“Ministers and lawmakers are public figures, and what they do under the dome is an issue of public interest, and publishing their activities is not a criminal offense,” it said.

CDJF said that journalists do not intrude on ministers and representatives in their homes or during closed sessions, stressing that the notion of breach of privacy is legally defined in the Penal Code, and does not apply to a public session of Parliament.

The center pointed that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Jordan has signed and ratified, does not sanction taking measures or establishing regulations that restrict the work of journalists, and that any measure taken by the authorities should not conflict with Article 19 of the covenant, which enshrines the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing, in print, in the form of art, or through any other media.


Read more National news
Jordan News