Hundreds of Jordanian journalists working in state-controlled media on March 7 demanded an end to government curbs on media freedom, saying they were an obstacle to democratic transformation. Emboldened by a wave of Arab uprisings, journalists from mainstream dailies, news websites, state television and radio joined forces in a rare show of unity against interference by officials and intelligence services. Scores of journalists and writers rallied in a square close to several newspaper offices, chanting: “The press needs cleansing” and “We want an end to government tutelage and we want to fight corruption.” A large placard held by demonstrators read: “No to government and security hegemony over the press.” The protest was one of several in recent weeks by disgruntled workers taking advantage of unusual leniency as the authorities seek to avoid provoking the kind of upheaval that toppled veteran rulers in Tunisia and Egypt.
JORDANIAN MEDIA CALLS FOR MORE FREEDOM
Hundreds of Jordanian journalists working in state-controlled media on March 7 demanded an end to government curbs on media freedom, saying they were an obstacle to democratic transformation. Emboldened by a wave of Arab uprisings
