A court in Jordan has sentenced investigative journalist Hiba Abu Taha to a year in prison, along with a fine of 5,000 Jordanian dinars (approximately $7,000) because of her reportage on Jordanian companies’ involvement with Israel that has raise an alarm over press freedoms in the country.
Abu Taha’s conviction follows her published report detailing business ties between Jordanian companies and Israel, in the context of ongoing conflicts in Gaza. The court found her guilty under the Jordanian Cybercrime Law, citing charges of spreading “false information” and inciting public discord.
Abu Taha’s investigative work, which touched on sensitive post-conflict economic connections, was viewed as a challenge to public order. As per the Jordanian Cybercrime Law, spreading misinformation or content that could disrupt social harmony can lead to severe consequences, including prison time.
Representing Abu Taha, attorney Rami Awadallah confirmed the grim reality and aid that the court’s ruling is final, with no avenue for appeal. Efforts to have her sentence reduced to community service were also denied, further solidifying the severity of the penalty. Abu Taha, who had already been convicted on similar grounds in a separate case, is currently serving her sentence.
The case has sent shockwaves through Jordan’s media landscape, with both local and international rights organizations voicing strong objections. The Jordanian Center for the Protection and Freedom of Journalists (CPFJ) expressed deep concern over the verdict, advocating for the elimination of prison sentences in cases involving freedom of expression. They argued that such sentences are inconsistent with international human rights standards.
The CPFJ has also called for an urgent review of the 2023 Cybercrime Law, which it claims imposes unnecessarily harsh punishments on journalists. According to the organization, this case marks the first instance in Jordan’s history where a journalist has been sentenced to a full year of imprisonment for their reporting. “This is a significant blow to press freedom,” the CPFJ said, emphasizing that the law’s provisions, particularly Articles 15 and 17, are often wielded to impose heavy fines and jail terms on those accused of spreading false information or inciting violence.
Jonathan Dagher, the Middle East director for Reporters Without Borders (RSF), called it “a dangerous precedent.” He warned that the vague language of the law makes it easier to target journalists who dare to report on politically sensitive topics, especially those involving Israel. “The provisions of this law are being used to silence critical voices,” Dagher said.
Abu Taha’s case is part of a troubling trend. Since late 2023, journalists in Jordan covering protests and the situation in Gaza have increasingly faced legal action under the Cybercrime Law. This pattern of targeting media professionals has raised serious concerns about censorship and repression in Jordan, where media freedom is already constrained.
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