JORDAN
In Jordan, an Uproar Over Internet Censorship
- Published on Monday, 20 August 2012 07:09
- Category: Letters from Jordan
Within the Middle East, Jordan has long been a leader in Internet freedom. It is precisely for that reason that many free speech activists in the kingdom were deeply concerned when the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology sent letters to Jordanian Internet service providers (ISP’s) informing them of plans to block pornographic websites. This is actually the latest move in a broader debate within Jordan over freedom of speech and freedom of the Internet. No one in Jordan is actually advocating for pornographic websites; rather, many Jordanians are arguing that blocking sites is a dangerous precedent in a country that has prided itself on its Internet openness. It also comes at a time when the kingdom remains embroiled in raging debates about reform in the midst of the regional Arab spring.
Life in Jordan, a Photo-Essay
- Published on Saturday, 08 October 2011 01:57
- Category: Letters from Jordan
The land east of the Jordan River was first inhabited more than 12,000 years ago and has seen dozens of civilization in its long history, from the Babylonians and Persians to the Romans and Ottomans. Jordan’s capital city, Amman, is one of the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in the world. This rich tapestry of culture and tradition gives the relatively young country a unique perspective and feeling.