Press association cheers gov't decision to publish judicial adverts in three major dailies

AMMAN — Jordan Press Association (JPA) on Saturday said the government’s recent decision to publish judicial advertisements in the country’s three major Arabic newspapers would have “considerable” impact in supporting the ailing print media.

Under a recent Justice Ministry’s decision, the country’s three major Arabic newspapers, Al Rai, Al Ghad and Ad-Dustour, have been accredited as the most read and popular, and thus qualified to publishing judicial advertisements and notices.

The ministry said that the decision was in line with enforcement of the Execution Law and Civil Procedure Code.

In remarks to The Jordan Times on Saturday, JPA President Rakan Saaideh commended the decision, citing its contributions to supporting the print media and enhancing competition among print media outlets.

“Each of the three newspapers can make around JD100,000 monthly from advertising judicial notices,” Saaideh said.

“Now the remaining five newspapers are supposed to work hard on enhancing their spread to be accredited by the justice ministry for the judicial advertisements.”

Saadideh said the “last standing” Arabic newspapers in the country are: Al Rai, Al Ghad, Ad-Dustour, Al Sabil, Sada Al Shaab and Al Umam.

Al Diyar and, before that Al Arab Al Yaum newspapers, were closed due to financial troubles.

The Jordan Times remains Jordan’s only English language daily.

In August last year, the government has decided to increase the price of governmental advertisements in newspapers from JD0.25 to JD0.55 per word.

At the time, the government said the decision came to help the sector cope with the financial challenges facing print media, which have seen at least one local newspaper out of business and the others suffering cash shortages, amid an international crisis.

State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani told the press at the time that the decision was a response to the sector’s demand. The Jordan Press Association issued a statement later lauding the move. 

The government said that, before the measure was taken, the annual cost of governmental advertising stood at JD3.5 million, saying the newspapers’ revenues from the official ads will reach around JD8 million in total.