Throughout the country the information portal in Arabic and English is inaccessible. Critics and activists link the blockade to coverage of Prince Hussein’s lavish wedding. The site had already been censored before by other Gulf countries, such as the Emirates, for articles on human rights, corruption and freedom.
Amman () – The Jordanian authorities, one of the countries considered to be the most liberal and open in the Middle East and the Muslim world, have dropped the ax of censorship on the famous “guilty” news website Al-Hudood of having satirized the recent wedding of the king’s son last month. Or at least that is the most likely hypothesis being considered by local experts and activists to explain the closure of a portal that had already received similar treatment in other Gulf States, in particular the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for articles on rights human rights, corruption and freedom of expression.
Since it was founded in 2013, Al-Hudood (“The Limits” in Arabic) has grown in popularity, has some 19 writers and contributors and is considered the local equivalent of the American “The Onion”. The site has published more than 6,000 satirical articles and cartoons as well as videos and short films, and has more than 68,000 followers on Instagram. On the introduction page it describes itself as a “form of organized gossip” that publishes content on the region’s problems through comedy and satire, in both Arabic and English.
Amman refused to explain the reasons for the blockade. Commenting on the move, Al-Hudood’s team highlighted the growing lack of freedom in Jordan and defended the site’s work which, in recent years, has grown to cover the entire Middle East and North Africa region. “It is very unfortunate – a member of the staff told The New Arab – to see how easily all kinds of freedoms in Jordan deteriorate” and then underlines the fear of the consequences “for the press, journalists and citizens” in terms of freedom. Shortly after readers began reporting difficulties accessing the site, there was a widespread blockade across the country.
Activists and critical voices explain that the censorship is a response by the authorities to articles and cartoons (pictured, taken from the site) about the recent wedding of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania’s son, Crown Prince Hussein, with the Saudi Rajwa al-Saif in a lavish ceremony. In one of the posts, the satirical newspaper commented on the “campaign” that Amman launched on the occasion of the wedding, under the slogan “May you be happy, dog.” And he also wondered “where did the prince get all that money to cover the wedding expenses?”, in a country that is going through serious economic and social difficulties. Finally, one article suggested that the Jordanian authorities would impose fines and penalties on all those who did not seem happy with the wedding.
The episode once again raises the question of freedoms and rights in the Hashemite kingdom, which is considered one of the most open and respectful of human rights and freedoms in the region. However, some international NGOs such as Human Rights Watch (HRW) have pointed out restrictions and critical issues. A report released earlier this year accused Amman of “criminalizing” criticism of the royal family, foreign governments or the country’s institutions. HRW also documented that the authorities use vague and broad criminal laws to attack freedom of expression. The report found that in 2020 the number of cases involving these types of accusations nearly doubled from the previous year.
