House speaker reiterates support of free media

Lower House of Parliament Speaker Faisal Fayez on Saturday emphasised the legislature’s backing of a free national media and pledged protection of an objective, professional and socially responsible press that rises to fourth authority status. He told Jordan Press Association President Tareq Moumani and members that the House would have the syndicate’s say for the passage of up-to-date media legislation to buttress public freedoms and upgrade the performance of the local press.The head of the legislature said he is totally against abuse of journalists, adding that difference in opinion is a “civilized phenomenon” and stressing that civil judiciary should be the arbiter in any such offenses. He said the House had before it a whole slew of political reform and social bills and is keen to accomplish them during its current session. Moumani commended the House’s stand for press freedom, adding that the media community pinned high hopes on lawmakers in the passage of media legislation.