JPA committee to review syndicate law

AMMAN — The Jordan Press Association (JPA) has formed a committee to review and amend the syndicate’s law, with the aim of adding the necessary clauses to provide JPA journalists with work opportunities. 

Under the new amendments, appointments in media-related jobs would only be open to JPA members, deputy president of the syndicate, Yanal Barmawi, said on Saturday in a statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Additionally, companies boasting a capital of over JD200,000 will be required to appoint a media consultant from the JPA, Barmawi said.

He noted that the amendments also seek to set “clear” brackets to determine the annual fees of media institutions, in accordance with their individual status and best interests. 

The amendments would rectify "contradictions" with certain clauses, in addition to setting new ones, which clarify election procedures and the jurisdiction of the supervising electoral committee, Barmawi explained. 

The changes would also regulate training and JPA-membership application procedures by setting restrictions that would also hinder the illegal induction of individuals into the syndicate.

The aforementioned restrictions would impose limitations on the time given to respond to training applications, according to Petra. 

The amendments will grant the JPA’s board the authority to move forward or postpone its general assembly meeting, set in April, by a maximum period of two weeks, should circumstance necessitate doing so.