Jordanian protesters call for media freedom, social justice

An Islamic movement and other organised a march from al-Husseini mosque to Amman Amman – Osama Al Rantissi   The high temperature and fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan did not prevent protesters from marching in the streets of all provinces in the kingdom, except the capital and Tafilah province, calling for media freedom, social justice and reform.Under the slogan “Freedom of Information Friday", an Islamic movement and other movements organised a march from al-Husseini mosque to downtown Amman, after Friday prayers. A number of Islamic leaders participated in the march, including the Secretary General of the Islamic Action Front, Hamza Mansour, the Deputy Controller General of the Muslim Brotherhood, Zaki Bani Irsheid and head of the Shura Council of the party, Ali Abu Sukkar.
The march also included a number of protesters who denounced the actions of the Jordanian government in preventing the freedom of media and recently blocking the signal of "Go sat" channel on "Nile Sat" satellite.
Dr Rahel Gharaibeh, the First Deputy Secretary General of the Islamic Action Front, called for an amendment to the Constitution that shall satisfy all classes of society, as the people are the source of authority.
Dr Mousa Barhoma delivered a speech during which he denounced the government for shutting down the channel.
Barhoma said that the government has a number of politicised writers and journalists to attack the opposition, calling them “Quick saviors of the government”. He demanded the government to sell newspapers and ease its security grip of the media.
Participants chanted slogans calling on people to boycott the elections, and condemned the suppression of orphans and illegitimate children with a sit-in.
In Tafilah province, 230 km south of the kingdom, a march began from the “el-Kebeer” Mosque, protesting the recent statement by the US ambassador on reform in Jordan.
The spokesman of Jordan’s opposition movement in Tafilah, Saaed Oran, said the march emphasises the rejection of the Jordanian people for the intervention by the US Embassy into internal affairs and policies.
He stated that the march is a message to the system to stress the need to restore the people's money and to return power to the people.