Executive Director of the Amman-based Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists criticized the information ministry's decision to suspend the weekly newspaper, Al-Hadath, from publishing until it replaces its editor, Nedal Mansour, who has been expelled from the Jordanian journalists union for life.
"This decision is a violation of all freedoms and undermines democracy," Fadi Qadi said in a statement faxed to Albawaba.com.
The Information Ministry said the decision was made after the newspaper failed to replace Mansour within the 2-month-period that was given to the newspaper, said AFP.
"We are examining the legal procedures we can take to fight this decision," he said.
Qadi said that Mansour had appealed the ban issued against him by the journalists' union and was still awaiting a verdict from the court.
"Until then no decisions to stop us from publication can be taken," the he said.
Al-Hadath appears on Mondays, and the last issue was published December 11, said AFP.
The union has accused Mansour of receiving "suspect" foreign funds for the Center for the Defense of the Freedom of Journalists, which he heads in violation of union laws, added the agency.
According to the union, members must be full-time journalists and have no other occupation -- (Several Sources)
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