Assessment of Media Development in Jordan: Based on UNESCO's Media Development Indicators
Paris: UNESCO (2015), 239 pp.
"Democratic reform has been on the agenda in Jordan for decades and media reform has naturally been an important part of that debate. Over the quarter of a century since the restoration of parliamentary elections following the 1989 “April uprising” there have been important democratic gains, including regular democratic elections. There have also been important steps forward in terms of media freedom, and the country now enjoys a lively and reasonably diverse media environment. At the same time the overall framework for media development still has progress to make in important ways to measure up to international standards, as set out in UNESCO’s Media Development Indicators (MDIs). This MDI Assessment provides a detailed review of the different parts of the overall environment for media freedom, in accordance with the MDI methodology, identifying the various strengths and weaknesses and pointing the way to reform needs." (Executive summary)
CATEGORY 1: A SYSTEM OF REGULATION CONDUCIVE TO FREEDOM, 35
A. Legal and policy framework, 37
B. Regulatory system for broadcasting, 62
C. Defamation laws and other legal restrictions on journalists, 65
D. Censorship, 88
Recommendations for Category 1, 95
CATEGORY 2: PLURALITY AND DIVERSITY OF MEDIA, A LEVEL ECONOMIC PLAYING FIELD AND TRANSPARENCY OF OWNERSHIP, 97
A. Media concentration, 99
B. A diverse mix of public, private and community media, 102
C. Licensing and spectrum allocation, 111
D. Taxation and business regulation, 118
E. Advertising, 122
Recommendations for Category 2, 126
CATEGORY 3: MEDIA AS A PLATFORM FOR DEMOCRATIC DISCOURSE, 127
A. Media reflects diversity of society, 129
B. Public service broadcasting model, 137
C. Media self-regulation, 145
D. Requirements for fairness and impartiality, 151
E. Levels of public trust and confidence in the media, 157
F. Safety of journalists, 161
Recommendations for Category 3, 167
CATEGORY 4: PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING AND SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS THAT UNDERPINS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, PLURALISM AND DIVERSITY, 169
A. Availability of professional media training, 171
B. Availability of academic courses in media practice, 179
C. Presence of trade unions and professional organizations, 183
D. Presence of civil society organizations, 191
Recommendations for Category 4, 196
CATEGORY 5: INFRASTRUCTURAL CAPACITY IS SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND PLURALISTIC MEDIA, 197
A. Availability and use of technical resources by the media, 199
B. Press, broadcasting and ICT penetration, 202
Recommendations for Category 5, 211
Annex I: List of Laws, 213
Annex II: Selected Bibliography, 217
Annex III: List of Participants in Interviews and Other Meetings, 227
A. Legal and policy framework, 37
B. Regulatory system for broadcasting, 62
C. Defamation laws and other legal restrictions on journalists, 65
D. Censorship, 88
Recommendations for Category 1, 95
CATEGORY 2: PLURALITY AND DIVERSITY OF MEDIA, A LEVEL ECONOMIC PLAYING FIELD AND TRANSPARENCY OF OWNERSHIP, 97
A. Media concentration, 99
B. A diverse mix of public, private and community media, 102
C. Licensing and spectrum allocation, 111
D. Taxation and business regulation, 118
E. Advertising, 122
Recommendations for Category 2, 126
CATEGORY 3: MEDIA AS A PLATFORM FOR DEMOCRATIC DISCOURSE, 127
A. Media reflects diversity of society, 129
B. Public service broadcasting model, 137
C. Media self-regulation, 145
D. Requirements for fairness and impartiality, 151
E. Levels of public trust and confidence in the media, 157
F. Safety of journalists, 161
Recommendations for Category 3, 167
CATEGORY 4: PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING AND SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS THAT UNDERPINS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, PLURALISM AND DIVERSITY, 169
A. Availability of professional media training, 171
B. Availability of academic courses in media practice, 179
C. Presence of trade unions and professional organizations, 183
D. Presence of civil society organizations, 191
Recommendations for Category 4, 196
CATEGORY 5: INFRASTRUCTURAL CAPACITY IS SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND PLURALISTIC MEDIA, 197
A. Availability and use of technical resources by the media, 199
B. Press, broadcasting and ICT penetration, 202
Recommendations for Category 5, 211
Annex I: List of Laws, 213
Annex II: Selected Bibliography, 217
Annex III: List of Participants in Interviews and Other Meetings, 227
