2011-09-28
AMMONNEWS - Journalists and activists will stage a protest Thursday evening before the Upper House of Parliament against the approval of a controversial article in the Anti-Corruption law which they view as curbing press freedoms.
The protest is scheduled to take place at 4 PM in front of the Senate to coincide with the final session to be held in parliament before it adjourns from the extra-ordinary session.
The Senate will convene on Thursday to deliberate on the 2011 Anti-Corruption Law, which was approved by the Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday.
Representatives of political, youth, and nationalist movements announced partaking in the protest, in addition to Jordanian professional associations and opposition political parties, in a stance aimed to defend freedom of the press and the media's role in exposing corruption.
Journalists and advocates went in uproar on Tuesday after lawmakers passed the law containing the controversial Article 23, which includes provisions that any person or party that charges another of corruption without providing lawful evidence with the purpose of slander or defamation and character assassination will be subjected to a fine of a minimum of JD 30,000 to a maximum of JD 60,000.
Observers and several MPs who opposed the controversial article blasted that the stipulation aims to 'fortress corruption and corrupt officials,' and contradicts the reform principles publicly propagated by the legislative and executive branches.
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