[View the story "Blackout in Jordan’s 'Silicon Valley'" on Storify ]Blackout in Jordan’s 'Silicon Valley' Will a new internet law replace Jordan’s innovation with censorship? Storified by The Stream · Thu, Oct 11 2012 09:19:16
#BlackoutJoAJstream
In response to the amendment of Jordan's
controversial Press and Publications Law that enables regulation of online news sources, netizens protested online using the hashtag #BlackoutJo. The amendment requires online news media publications to register with the state, to archive comments left by readers for up to six months, and holds owners responsible for all content on their sites including readers' feedback.
The former queen of Jordan, Queen Noor, step-mother of the reigning King Abdullah, voiced her opposition to the law on Twitter:
Hypocrisy,lies,intolerance,hate,violence-all unhealthy evils. Where does it start and end. #censorship #BlackOutJONoor Al Hussein
Others joined Queen Noor in an organized blackout of Jordanian internet news publications, as well as demonstrations in the streets. Netizens shared their reactions to the amendment:
Over 150 sites in Jordan are going black, including the country's top new sites, to protest laws that restrict internet freedom #blackoutjoAhmad Humeid
Legislators who have no vision of how a law will impact an industry or a country, shouldn't be legislating at all. #JO #BlackOutJONaseem Tarawnah
It's not wise for anyone joining #BlackOutJO to declare their boycotting of sites non-participating. This is about free speech AND choice.Naseem Tarawnah
“Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself. It is a hallmark of an authoritarian regime.” #BlackOutJo #FreeNetJo #QuotesRazan Khatib
The Parliament passes the amendment bill for the Press Law. Freedom of Internet has been slaughtered in Jordan. #FreeNetJo #BlackoutJO #jo7oryanet
#Jordan's Parliament votes for Internet censorship law; big step back for regional tech hub. #blackoutjoAdrian Hong
My country stripped me of my freedom today. They stripped me of my hope. They steipped me of everything #jo could be. #blackoutjo #AmmanFouad Jeryes
"internet freedom" coffin marches to parliament. #blackoutjo #freenetjo #jo #ammantarawnah
Netizens also set up a
petition to pressure the Jordanian government to protect freedom of expression in the country by repealing the amendments.
http://www.avaaz.org/en/jordan_stop_the_censorship_a/?copyAJstream
Some Jordanians have taken great pride in the relative freedoms enjoyed in their country compared to their regional neighbors. As the speaker below explains at 4:32 into the clip, “What I don’t understand in this issue ofinternet freedom is that this is something we used to take pride in in front of everyone. Whenthey ask you, 'Are you from countries that censor the internet?' No, I live in ademocratic country… In our country you can browse whatever you want. We’re asmart and intelligent society. We can visit any website, we choose what we wantand ignore whatever we dislike. Don’t take that away from us. Don’t take awayour pride in that we, in Jordan, have freedoms that are not enjoyed neighboringcountries“.
N2O Comedy: قانون المطبوعات والنشر الأردنيn2ocomedy
The IT sector of the Jordanian economy represents 14% of the country's GDP , but some fear the new amendments will deter investors. At the 3:17 mark of the video below, the speaker insists, “Simply put, the law gives anyone the ability to shut downmy business for any reason. This increases the risk in the type of work that wedo. Therefore the investors starts to think twice about investing with me. So…when you put your companies in danger… and when you threaten investments… howare you supposed to build these companies? How are these companies supposed togrow and succeed?”
وائل عتيلي عن المطبوعات والنشرkharabeeshcartoons
Jordan's King Abdullahspoke of his frustration with the Jordanian press in an interview with Americantalk show host Charlie Rose. While the king discussed ways to realize democratic reform in Jordan, he also labelled news outlets as "instigators" intensions between the government and citizens.
Charlie Rose interview's King Abdullah II of Jordancursethee
