* The declaration of the Lower House of Parliament on national unity and His Majesty King Hussein's reiteration of the basic principles contained in that declaration could not have come at a more appropriate time. Jordanians from all walks of life have been waiting for a high-level confirmation of these principles, especially by the legislative body, since in recent years a perception has been building that the unifying factors that make up Jordanian society are under attack.
At the heart of the matter is the phenomenon of the sensational press, a by-product of the democratic evolution that has dug roots since the early 1990's. While the Constitution and our democratic traditions guarantee the right of free expression to any Jordanian, that right has been abused by a few who failed to recognize that with freedom comes social responsibility. In recent years some weeklies have tresspassed on basic national social, political, religous and cultural tenets of our Jordanian society, creating divisions, anxieties and spreading negative values and thoughts that are alien to our society.
For these publications, and those who write in them, the excuse has been freedom of expression and free press. The government and the legislative body have failed to activate existing laws and regulations which regulate the press and protect individual and collective social rights. In this regard the blame is shared. While we call on the government and the deputies to safeguard and respect our Constitutional rights including the right of free expression, we believe that laws and regulations should protect national unity, individual rights of citizens and the free press from those who abuse these rights.
There are certain responsibilities that deputies bear at this stage. When it comes to the press, for instance, Parliament must address issues relating to that profession by incorporating journalists and their representatives in the process of reform. Many options have to be examined and the press community must be given the opportunity to put its house in order. On the other hand, there is a need to give the National Charter, an historic document by all standards which is unique to the whole region, a legal arm to implement and protect the lofty principles on which all Jordanians had agreed.
We must remember that yellow journalism, publications thriving on selling sex, violence, controversy and other forms of sensationalism, cannot be eradicated overnight. That process of reform must not be seen as an infringement on the press as a whole. May be it's time to study further the options of a national press council working in tandem with a national guidance council, both of which should be independent of government control.
The pains of a developing democracy are no different from the trials of a developing country. Both put a society in transition before cultural, political and economic challenges. Jordanians, like other developing societies, cannot afford to become introverted or to shy away from these challenges. One thing is for sure, national unity is the life-blood of this country and no matter how it is threatened or compromised, Jordanians, whether the public or in positions of authority, must not look the other way and pretend that all is well.
** Is there an allowance or isn't there? That is the question on people's mind ever since Ad Dustour daily announced that a Royal Decree was issued approving a monthly JD 150 personal driver allowance for senators and deputies. The next day Minister of Higher Education Abdallah Nsour denied the report, only to be rebuffed by the same newspaper which stood by its story and supported it with documents.
According to the paper, the allowance became valid on 16 July. So what's the government's next move? Basically, the report could have passed unnoticed if it was published a month ago; before the famous bread debate.
Call it bad timing, one has to admit that the issue is embarrassing to both deputies and the government, both of whom have been promising each other, and the public of course, that belt tightening will continue and that public spending will have to be curbed and subsidies removed. Well the public has a right to be angry.
If Jordanians cannot afford their own chauffeurs, then their representatives must show some sensitivity at a time when the whole nation is talking about the effect of removing bread subsidies on low-income people. If subsidies are on their way out then why should the public subsidize what can only be seen as a luxury enjoyed exclusively by the people's representatives? We say the deputies should refuse the allowance or call upon the government to divert the funds allocated for it to the state budget.