Hiba Abu Taha, a Jordanian journalist was arrested by the Jordanian government over an article published. Article sparked controversy. It spoke of the relationship between the Jordanian government and businesses over their involvement with the Israeli government.
Hiba, a pro-resistance and pro-Palestinian wrote an article for a Lebanese news agency Annasher. The article pointed to the relationship between Jordan and Israel, amidst the genocide happening in Gaza.
Hiba failed to comply with the regulations imposed by the Jordanian government. What the Jordanian government classifies as regulatory measures are but a set of draconian laws. Implemented to scrub freedom of speech.
On 11th June Amman Court magistrate sentenced Hiba to 1 year of harsh imprisonment. Hiba failed to comply with government regulations.
It is pertinent to note that the Jordanian government introduced the Cyber Crime Bill a year prior. International bodies called it a draconian law imposed.
Also read: World Press Freedom Day Is Dedicated To Slain Journalists In Gaza
Hiba isn’t the first journalist to face punishment under the Bill. Abu Taha, another journalist a year prior was the first to receive punishment under the Bill. Abu Taha also failed to self-regulate and faced imprisonment under the law. “inciting discord and strife among members of society” and “targeting community peace and inciting violence,” describe the Jordanian authorities.
Reporter Without Border (RWB) called it so. Jonathan Dagher, RWB’s Middle-East chief stated “A prison sentence for a journalist is a scandal in Jordan, one of the few countries in the region not to have reporters behind bars. This sentence constitutes a huge setback for press freedoms in the kingdom and threatens not only Hiba Abu Taha’s safety but also the safety of all reporters. RSF already sounded the alarm about the dangers posed by the new cybercrime law. It must be repealed at once, and Hiba Abu Taha’s conviction must be overturned”
