The Jordanian Alliance for the Freedom of
Information and Transparency (JAFIT)
On September 28, 2008, UJRC officially launched
JAFIT - the Jordanian Alliance for the Freedom of
Information and Transparency. This coincided with
the International Day for Freedom of Information
(28/9/2008). The meeting was attended by different
NGOs, media, and parliamentarians. At the end of the
meeting participants issued a statement on Launching
JAFIT.
Read Statement.
The coalition is currently conducting a legal –
political study on the legislative environment of
the Right of Access to Information Law. This
includes the constitutional and legal framework, the
international conventions and commitments of the
Jordanian government towards this law, and concludes
with recommendations on developing and amending
current information-related legislations.
In 2007 Jordan was the first Arab country to
officially endorse a law that preserves the right to
access of information, Law no. 47 of 2007.
Al Urdun Al Jadid Research Center (UJRC) believes
that having this law guarantees ‘the right of access
to information’, not only makes the flow of
information smoother for media outlets; it provides
a significant opportunity for the private sector to
enhance the investment climate and economic freedom.
In August, 2008, UJRC joined with four Arab NGOs
from Bahrain, Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt, formed the
Arab Freedom of Information Network (AFOINET),
headed by the Center for Media Freedom in the Middle
East and North Africa (CMF MENA) in Morocco.
The initiative resulted in creating the Jordanian
Alliance for the Freedom of Information and
Transparency (JAFIT), consisting of civil society
organisations, activists, lawyers, media, and
business people. The coalition aims at conducting
campaigns and activities to promote the freedom of
information and transparency.
It will also rise awareness of citizens to its
existence, and examine its effectiveness by
encouraging media persons, businessmen and ordinary
citizens to request information, based on the rights
provided for by the Law.
UJRC JAFIT newsletter “Information
is Right for All”. This newsletter will be issued
periodically and cover JAFIT and AFOINET news and
activities. It will also follow-up latest updates on
the Right to Access Information Law, in the region
and the globe.
- Issue No. (1) "Information Right for All"
(Eng)
- Issue No. (2) "Information Right for All"
(Eng)
- Issue No. (0) "Information Right for All"
(Tryout issue: Arabic)
- Issue No. (1) "Information Right for All"
(Arabic)
- Issue No. (2) "Information Right for All"
(Arabic)
UJRC New publication: Report on the Right of Access
to Information in Jordanian Legislations
An analytical research examined the Law on the Right
to Access Information no. 47 of 2007. It came out
with a list of recommendations on the need to reform
existing legislations and undertaking mechanisms for
expanding the space of freedom of information in
Jordan. The report falls in 75 pages and was
published within the framework of the Arab Freedom
of Information Network, Jordan Branch.
|
