AMARC deeply disturbed by refusal to license community radio in Jordan Valley

Montreal, February 6, 2009. The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) is concerned and disappointed by the decision taken on the 29th January 2009 of the Jordan government to reject the request of a license for a women’s community radio in the Jordan Valley. According to Daoud Kuttab, Director of AmmanNet and AMARC Vice President, no explanation was given for the rejection. News reports have noted that 12 other independent radio and TV license requests were rejected at the same cabinet session.

We are especially saddened by the decision regarding this particular station because it was initiated during our successful ninth global conference, held in Amman in 2006, under the auspices of the Prime Minister of Jordan. AMARC 9 delegates from over 93 different countries were impressed with the beginnings of change in Jordan’s media policy and offered to help train and establish a women’s station. Based on advice from Jordanian civil society activists, a number of our delegates visited the Jordan valley, conducted a workshop and helped train Jordanian women. AMARC delegates also helped raised the needed funds to start a small radio station. Our Jordanian host, AmmanNet, offered to help with the licensing request. The rejection of this request is a major setback for freedom of expression and media pluralism in Jordan and for the communication rights of women and the needy communities in the farming area of the Jordan Valley.

AMARC calls on the government of Jordan to reverse its decision and to consider revising the Audio Visual Law in a way that will encourage rather than discourage the establishment of community based media. We draw attention especially to the important work done by Jordanian media activists who recently submitted a draft alternative audio visual law to the Jordanian government, parliamentarians and civil society activists.

Through service to members, networking and project implementation, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters AMARC, brings together a network of more than 4,000 community radios, Federations and community media stakeholders in more than 115 countries. The main global impact of AMARC since its creation in 1983, has been to accompany and support the establishment of a world wide community radio sector that has democratized the media sector. AMARC advocates for the right to communicate at the international, national, local and neighborhood levels and defends and promotes the interests of the community radio movement through solidarity, networking and Cooperation.

Note: AMARC submitted a letter to Prime Minister Naser Dahabi on the 16th December 2007 regarding the decision of the previous government to issue a license in the Zarqa region but has not heard back from the prime minister.

Further information

Marcelo Solervicens, Secretary general of AMARC, secretariat@si.amarc.org