Freedom of opinion and expression – including “the freedom to receive and disseminate information and ideas by any means and regardless of state borders” (Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) is one of the fundamental civil and political rights that are set forth in all relevant instruments in areas of human rights. It is a fundamental right for a democratic system in which everyone, not just citizens of a state, has the human right to freely express himself or herself.
The freedom of a particular society can be easily determined with the help of freedom of the press and the media, as they play a central role in democracy in informing the public and carefully examining the state of public affairs, without fear of harassment, lawsuits or repression. This requires an appropriate legal framework that ensures the independence of the public media and pluralism among private ones, as well as monitors the activities of the media in relation to standards of objectivity, fairness and decency.
Corruption and Media Freedom in Jordan
