Media advocacy group urges IEC to ensure safety of journalists

AMMAN — The Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) on Wednesday called on the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to ensure the safety of journalists covering the upcoming local elections, according to a CDFJ statement. 

CDFJ President Nidal Mansour sent a letter to IEC President Khaled Kalaldeh, explaining that journalists had reportedly faced abuse and harassment while covering previous elections. Mansour demanded that the IEC issues clear instructions to all of its staff regarding the facilitation of journalists’ coverage of the elections.

Mansour noted that the last elections recorded 50 violations against the press, including withholding information, obstructing photography and harassment. The violations, he claimed, occurred due to “unclear instructions” from the IEC, urging the commission to issue clear instructions.