CDFJ rejects gov’t decision to revoke Al Jazeera’s licence

AMMAN — The Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) on Wednesday rejected the government’s decision to revoke the licence of Al Jazeera channel in Jordan, voicing hope that the decision would be repealed. 

In a statement, the centre described the government’s decision as “unjustified” and “unclear”, as it did not specify any violation committed by the channel, therefore calling the decision a form of “limiting the freedom of media outlets”. 

“Intertwining media outlets with political clashes is utterly rejected,” the CDFJ said in the statement, adding that closing Al Jazeera’s office in Jordan and banning its reporters from practising their work is a violation of people’s right to follow the media they wish to.

Revoking Al Jazeera’s licence will not end its ability to cover the events taking place in Jordan, especially in a time where social media outlets allow everyone to produce and provide content, the centre said, noting that the government’s decision will also cause a lowering of Jordan’s international ranking on the press freedom index.