IPI Seminar on “Media and Democracy in the Arab World”
Amman, Jordan, 3-5 February 2000

130 journalists and freedom of expression advocates from 28 countries met today in Amman, Jordan, to examine ways of promoting free expression and improving the standards of journalism in the Arab region.

King Abdullah II welcomed the delegates and said he “would strive to lift restrictions to free expression” in Jordan. In particular, the King said he wanted to see the state-controlled media privatised and would advocate the lifting of the legal obligation that compels Jordanian journalists to belong to the government-controlled Jordanian Press Association. He urged journalists to use their power carefully and asserted that the media will play a pivotal role in the region’s stability. “It’s up to you journalists to support the peace process”, he said.

Opening the Seminar, the recently-appointed Jordanian Information Minister, Salih Qullab, said he “hoped to be the last Jordanian Minister of Information,” as he felt such a ministry was no longer necessary. The Minister also pleased the delegates by indicating that the restrictive Press and Publications Law will soon be revoked.

The seminar, organised by the International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors and media executives, in co-operation with the members of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), will examine the media situation across the Arab region. IPI’s Director, Johann P. Fritz, paid tribute to Jordan’s democratic development and respect for media freedom. “We chose to hold the conference in Jordan,” he said, “as it is the natural place in the region to come and freely discuss the development of the media and the right to freedom of expression.”