Date: Jul 20, 2011
Source: Associated Press
Watchdog calls on Jordan to protect journalists

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — A New York-based media watchdog says Jordan must step up efforts to prevent a "systematic targeting" of journalists.
A spokesman for The Committee to Protect Journalists, Mohamed Abdel Dayem, says authorities should not tolerate attacks on journalists covering protests.


His comments, issued in a statement Tuesday, come after police violently confronted a pro-reform protest in the capital Amman last week, injuring 16 journalists.
Media personnel had been wearing orange vests provided by security that clearly identified them as journalists.
The watchdog says journalists have faced other assaults this year, including attacks against news bureaus, the hacking of news websites and threats against media personnel.