Jordanian arrest of journalist Mohamed Faraj is a blatant attack on free Arab media

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network denounces in the strongest terms the Jordanian authorities’ arrest of Al-Mayadeen TV journalist Mohammed Faraj and his arbitrary detention for more than a week without any declared legal justification, and without revealing his place of detention or the charges against him. This is a dangerous step that affects the most basic public freedoms and the freedom of journalistic work, coming atop ongoing arrests and repression targeting those working for freedom and justice for Palestine..

Journalist Mohammed Faraj was arrested upon his arrival at Amman airport and taken to interrogation; his family and his wife, media personality Rana Abi Jomaa, have been prevented from visiting him or checking on his condition. This constitutes a flagrant violation of Jordan’s constitution and laws, and a direct attack on the dignity of the press and its role in conveying the truth.

This arbitrary arrest comes in the context of policies of silencing, repression and targeting free Arab media voices, especially those supporting the Palestinian cause carried out by “Israel,” imperialist Western powers, and Arab reactionary regimes. This is a policy of the Zionist project as is evident in the assassination of hundreds of Palestinian journalists in Gaza. This targeting of journalists because of their positions and professional work documenting and exposing the crimes of the occupation is a desperate attempt to break the power and strength of the free word. It further comes amid ongoing arrests, criminalization and imprisonment in Jordan of those who stand with, organize for, and act to liberate Palestine.

We call for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Mohamed Faraj, urgent disclosure of his place of detention and his health and legal status, enabling his family and lawyer to visit him immediately without restrictions, and stopping all forms of harassment and prosecution against journalists and media professionals.

We further call upon on Jordanian and Arab media institutions, press unions, human rights institutions, national forces and intellectuals to assume their responsibilities, raise their voices loudly in solidarity with writer and journalist Mohammed Faraj, and manifest serious pressure to end this arbitrary detention, in defense of freedom of the press and the right of peoples to know the truth.