‘MPs’ request to ban media coverage of court sessions ‘ignorance’ of laws’

AMMAN — The Jordan Press Association (JPA) on Thursday denounced a recent call by a group of MPs to the government to ban media outlets' coverage of cases being looked into by the judiciary.

In a statement on Thursday, JPA said that MPs' request "reflects clear ignorance of the constitutional and legal rules" regulating media outlets' coverage of court sessions and judicial matters.

Earlier this week, 35 deputies signed a memorandum requesting that the government issues legal measures to prevent print, visual and media outlets from publishing reports on cases currently looked into by courts.

In their memo, a copy of which was made available to The Jordan Times, signatories said that their call is meant to prevent any media's influence on the outcome of court proceedings and to protect the society from rumours.

JPA said that MPs, as legislators, "should be fully aware of the already in place laws and rules governing the court proceedings and media outlet's coverage of judicial matters".

The JPA Council also said that it was "shocking" that legislators are "ignorant" of the constitutional provisions stipulating that court hearings shall be open to all unless tribunes decide otherwise.

According to Paragraphs A of Article 101 of the Constitution, "The courts shall be open to all and shall be free from any interference in their affairs," while Paragraph B reads: "The sittings of the courts shall be public unless the court considers that it should sit in camera in the interest of public order or morals."

"The JPA Council is really regretting the 35 MPs' request at the time the JPA expects the Lower House to be the fortress defending people's right to information and expression," the statement read.

The Council calls on MPs to withdraw their signatures because "their memo contradicts with existing constitutional and legal rules and with the principle of free expression guaranteed by the Constitution."

In remarks to The Jordan Times, JPA council member Khaled Qudah said MPs' request is at variance with the constitutions, Courts Law and the press freedoms and freedom of speech.

He explained that the JPA Law also regulates media outlets' coverage of court proceedings and contains disciplinary measures against journalists in case their reporting of judicial matters violates the laws and constitutional rules.