" New York, June 3, 2013-The Jordanian government announced plans on Sunday to block more than 300 websites for failing to register under the Press and Publications Law, news sources reported. Access to several of the sites has already been blocked within the country, the reports said.
The Jordanian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) on Sunday ordered local Internet service providers (ISPs) to block websites that did not have licenses. The order originated from a memo by Fayez al-Shawabkeh, head of the government's Department of Press and Publications, on Saturday.
"Censoring 300 websites makes Jordan's talk of political reform seem hollow," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Coordinator Sherif Mansour. "Authorities should immediately rescind this order and uphold King Abdullah'sstated support for political reform and media freedom."
