Guess I’ll have to keep most of my drafts unpublished, and that the ————— ooops, can’t go there. And the —– oops, can’t go there either. I hope complaining about local driving doesn’t fall into these categories
From the Jordan Times (thx for reminding me, Momma Bean, I read about it at Bam’s and went straight into denial)
“The court’s decision, issued last week but published only today [Wednesday], empowers authorities to prosecute or impose fines on journalists, bloggers and editors for publishing online material that may be deemed offensive or imply criticism of the government, national unity or the economy,” ARTICLE 19 said in a press release issued on its website on Wednesday.
The London-based independent human rights organisation said the Internet has provided an important forum for debate and criticism in Jordan today, especially in light of “existing restrictions on the print media under this same Press and Publications Law”.
The NGO noted that a number of prominent journalists from print newspapers have turned to the Internet, where they have enjoyed more freedom to share critical opinions.
“There are around 30 news websites that enjoy wide popularity in the Kingdom, in addition to hundreds of active bloggers. The government has threatened several times in recent years to restrict online content and control material published on the Internet, but has faced fierce opposition,” said ARTICLE 19.
Very tasty cookies though.
“…or imply criticism of the government”!
Screw that! I don’t write about the government, but I’m gonna start an anonymous blog just for spite (hopefully the technology the government reached is as good as the technology Orange provides, and thus won’t find me)!
Haha! A double hit. I’m screwed.
Because constructive criticism isn’t good for anyone.
Yikes! The economy, too? That seems nearly impossible when one takes into consideration the global recession.
What’s next, Israel? (you can edit that part!:P)
My comments will be limited to: So it is a nice weather we are having today I like it when it is sunny..
That’s the actual text of the law being applied:
http://www.lob.gov.jo/ui/laws/search_no.jsp?no=8&year=1998
Criticism of the government (implicit or explicit) is not on the prohibited list (unless I missed it somehow). The law was published in 1998 as a revision of the 1993 law. The 93 law banned criticisms of the king and the royal family, the ’98 version makes no mention of such bans. The law was further improved in 2007 and lifted some punishments as well as reduced some of the restrictions.
I am personally deeply disturbed by the decision; but still, I think people are exaggerating in some senses. The decision should NOT harm the freedom of speech we see in the Jordanian blogosphere.
For me, I’ll continue to do what I do, criticize if I feel like it, and praise when I feel like it, and just comment otherwise — just **assume** I have the freedoms, and if I don’t, I’d rather not know it!
Hi Brian! I do have some great recipes I used at Christmas I haven’t blogged about yet.
Not Laith, LOL! Orange…double lol!!! Hey, maybe we should organize a prayer meeting and agree together for Jordan’s good?
Dave, sigh. I know how good it is for me.
Emily, well, I don’t know at this point!
Rula, indeed a lovely day
. Thunderstorms coming, now that would be worthy of posting even if this wasn’t going on!
Eyas, hey, welcome to my humble blog. Thanks for your comment and 7iber post, I do hope there is some exaggeration going on. I will be going back to both for a second read and process the contents.
I hate to say it, but I will be cutting back on cutting posts as I am a guest here in Jordan and need to keep my nose clean as we quite appreciate the privilege of residency.
Dave, teehee. Kinz, glad you came back to catch it. Eyas, unfortunately hoping for the best only helps if you have protection and friends in appropriate places for the worst. Even as a citizen, it’snot somethin I’m likely to test. No idea what the actual, final decisions will be, but I do know that my own (self) censorship has begun until I know where the lines are drawn…
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We totally should Kinzi.
OK…let’s start thinking about it seriously, who when, etc. My home is open and will have cookies.
Pathetic, really.
Well, I’m not sure, but you appear to have something in mind, and I’ve been trying to be a “yes man” lately.
A meeting for Christian bloggers in Jordan?
The when for me is definitely after the 26th.
As for the cookies, please tell me you make ‘em with chocolate chips!
Dude! You have got to be kidding me. Well at least the ban doesn’t extend the asinine things being done in your neighboring countries. You will just have to be content in pointing out their flaws.
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