Jordan detained 10 journalists in 2015, watchdog group says

AMMAN, Jordan – A group monitoring restrictions on the media says 10 Jordanian journalists were detained in 2015, the highest number in years.

Saturday’s annual report by the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists also says more than 90 per cent of 251 journalists who were surveyed censor themselves. Themes considered off limits to criticism are religion, the royal court and the armed forces.

Jordan’s government spokesman declined comment.

The report counted 57 violations against journalists, fewer than in 2014.

However, 10 journalists were detained last year under new anti-terrorism laws.

Nidal Mansour, head of the watchdog group, called for scrapping provisions that enable courts to jail journalists and others for expressing forbidden views.

Mansour say the last previous detentions were in 2013 when two journalists were held.