Jordanian journalists protest police attacks on press

[News_Editor]

Jordanian journalists protest police attacks on press

2011-07-18 00:32:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMMAN (BNO NEWS) -- More than 100 journalists on Sunday staged a demonstration in front of the Jordanian Press Association (JPA) headquarters in Amman to protest police attacks on journalists and photographers during Friday's pro-reform demonstration.

Ammon News reported that the journalists called for launching an independent investigation commission to look into the attacks that occurred during the peaceful protest in Al Nakhil Square. At least 10 journalists were injured when policemen tried to disperse protesters in the demonstration organized by a coalition of youth activists, also known as July 15. Several cameras were also destroyed or confiscated as journalists covered the event.

Many of the journalists were wearing bright orange vests with clearly marked "PRESS" logos that were distributed by the Public Security Directorate (PSD), which asked journalists to wear them in an effort to distinguish them from protestors in case clashes erupted.

Following the attacks on Friday, the head of the JPA, Tareq Momani, blasted the PSD and said the vests were a "trap to identify and target journalists." Momani on Sunday demanded the government to hold security forces responsible and to take measures to prevent attacks on journalists.

The attacks came a day after PSD announced coordinating measures with JPA and the Center for Freedom and Protection of Journalists to ensure the safety of journalists and facilitate their coverage of Friday's protest.

Jordanian protesters have been demanding the resignatio-n of Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit's government for its failure to carry out political reforms. They are also demanding the trial of corrupt officials and have stressed that they will continue protesting until they witness "real and tangible measures" to combat corruption.

Earlier this month, Jordan's King Abdullah II issued a decree approving a cabinet reshuffle in Bakhit's government. This was the first reshuffle of the cabinet, which was formed in February after protesters called for the resignation of then-current prime minister Samir Rifai and his government. The previous government was blamed for price hikes, excessive taxation, unemployment, and difficult economic conditions.

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