Jordan blocks unlicensed news websites

Jordan on Sunday started blocking access to a number of unlicensed news websites, according to Press and Publications Department. Access to nearly 280 news websites will be blocked as of Sunday, said a statement released by the state-run department and obtained by Xinhua. The move aims at regulating media sector and enhancing the rule of law in the country, the statement said, ruling out that such move would restrict freedom of expression. Last year, the Jordanian parliament endorsed a new law obligating all news websites to be legally registered. The law also stipulates that the chief editor of a news website must be a member with the Jordan Press Association and holds online media publishers responsible for comments that may be posted their readers.