AFP Office Attacked in Jordan
A group of men attacked the Jordanian bureau of Agence-France Presse on Wednesday, June 15—storming into the office and destroying furniture. The attack came a day after protesters demanded the bureau close its doors due to “inaccurate reporting” on King Abdullah II’s visit to a southern Jordanian town. AFP and other outlets reported that protesters pelted King Abdullah II’s motorcade with stones and bottles. The news was later denied by Jordanian officials.
Media organizations have faced growing threats in the last few months. In March 2011, journalists covering pro-reform demonstrations were beaten and had their equipment destroyed. That same month, two radio journalists from the Arab Broadcasting Service were detained while on their way to Lebanon to deliver equipment. Dohan Hassan a journalist who works for Orient TV remains in custody after detained on March 26. In April 2011, Al Jazeera staffers received anonymous phone and email threats. Yasser Abu Hilala, the bureau chief for Al-Jazeera, continues to receive threats after he was beaten in January 2009 while covering protests. While the government approved a code of conduct several years ago with the intention of fostering a “free and independent media,” journalists still are closely watched by intelligence agencies and have been harassed by security forces.
Freedom House condemns the attack on AFP’s Jordan office, and urges the Jordanian government to follow through on promises to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
Learn more:
Media organizations have faced growing threats in the last few months. In March 2011, journalists covering pro-reform demonstrations were beaten and had their equipment destroyed. That same month, two radio journalists from the Arab Broadcasting Service were detained while on their way to Lebanon to deliver equipment. Dohan Hassan a journalist who works for Orient TV remains in custody after detained on March 26. In April 2011, Al Jazeera staffers received anonymous phone and email threats. Yasser Abu Hilala, the bureau chief for Al-Jazeera, continues to receive threats after he was beaten in January 2009 while covering protests. While the government approved a code of conduct several years ago with the intention of fostering a “free and independent media,” journalists still are closely watched by intelligence agencies and have been harassed by security forces.
Freedom House condemns the attack on AFP’s Jordan office, and urges the Jordanian government to follow through on promises to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
Learn more:
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