Middle East News

Jordan press body warns police not to attack media during demos

Jul 14, 2011, 17:28 GMT

Amman - The Jordan Press Association (JPA) on Thursday warned the country's security authorities against committing fresh attacks on journalists during pro-democracy demonstrations planned for Friday.

A number of journalists were wounded during demonstrations earlier this year, in attacks blamed on security men.

A coalition of pro-democracy youth movements are planning to go ahead with big rallies in Amman and other major cities to press their demands for speedy political reforms.

'The JPA will deal harshly with any attacks that could target journalists and media personnel who may take part in the July 15 rally,' syndicate chairman Tareq Momani said.

Momani said the JPA had taken measures in coordination with the Public Security Directorate (PSD) to avoid a repeat of 'friction' between journalists and policemen, such as telling members of the media to wear shirts clearly stating that they belong to the press.

'If colleagues wear such shirts, we are not going to accept any justifications if they come under attack, under the pretext that security men had failed to distinguish journalists from others,' he added.

A number of officials and pro-government parties and tribes have issued statements seeking to prevent the Friday demonstrations, going by the name of July 15 Rally, arguing that the protests would harm the country's national interests and stability.

Pro-democracy activists complain that the government has failed to adopt reforms in the five months since the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt spread across the region.