New law to give Press more freedom not less

Jordan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information Abdullah al-Nusour brushed off accusations that the proposed press and publications law will limit press freedom.

The draft law is to be submitted to the parliament today. "The draft law," he told reporters before the draft was submitted to the parliament, "will provide a higher ceiling of liberties in the media."

He criticized those who criticized the law without having a chance to read it in its entirety.

"With this law," he said, "there should be responsibilities. In the law, the administration, the government has no authority, whatsoever, to censor or to cancel the license, professional authorization or to cause any financial punishment. There is provision in the law that you will go to the judge and it is the judge who will make his decision. I also said that what we have provided the parliament which will make the resolution not us."

Jordan's Information Minister defended his government's efforts to keep the draft private saying that it was not approved by the Cabinet.