Jordan TV

Speaking of the Jordanian media, today's al-Quds al-Arabi reports that Jordan's official TV station has just been yanked out of the hands of the relatively liberal Mustafa Hamaraneh (a personal friend of Prime Minister Bakhit, according to the story, and of mine). Hamarneh had been trying to revamp Jordan TV, amidst great controversy and political struggles, though I couldn't say how much success he'd had.  The changes put JTV  back in the hands of conservative figures, some of whom reportedly lack any experience whatsoever in television or even the media.  Though there may well be some personal politics beneath the surface here, the net result strikes me as very bad. 

I'm looking forward to the expected launch of the private satellite television station by the owners of the liberal newspaper al-Ghad.  Also, see this blogger's take on another private station, which had an MP on a talk show:   "I think it is the first time in Jordan's history that a parliament member comes forward and talks directly to Jordanians. It is the first time that someone is focusing on local politics, if God forbid you ever watch JTV, you will notice that there is no real Jordanian political discussion." 

Speaking of al-Ghad, Ayman Safadi, its editor, came out strongly today against the Parliamentary changes to the press law mentioned in the post just below.  Safadi argues that there is no democracy without a strong and effective Parliament, and no democracy without a free and critical press.  So it's all the more disturbing when the legislative branch turns against the press, which really doesn't need any more enemies.   He ends by saying that the King has spoken against the proposed penalties against the press, as has the Prime Minister, as does the logic of democracy (for some reason he doesn't mention the seemingly forgotten National Agenda) - and calls on the Parliament to get with the program. 

Comments

[Nur al-Cubicle]

The changes put JTV back in the hands of conservative figures, some of whom reportedly lack any experience whatsoever in television or even the media.

Golly, just like public broadcasting the the USA!

[Ghurab al-Bain]

This seems to be a continuous cycle in Jordanian politics. The situation deteriorates, the Diwan brings in reformers, they make slight improvements, then they are forced out and the "old guard" returns. It has been going on forever. The King brought in Nart Buran a few years ago to fix JTV and then fired him. History repeats itself.