“I am proud because I was not prosecuted for corruption, or for spying, but for saying a word of truth.” – Khalid Mahadin on being cleared of charges of slandering the Lower House of Parliament.
While it’s good to hear that Mahadin is cleared of these idiotic charges levied against him by an even more idiotic Lower House of Parliament, here’s my favorite (and ironic) part of this piece of news on why he was cleared:
“Amman Magistrates Court Judge Ahmad Freihat found no case against Mahadin, since the Constitution protects the rights of any Jordanian to criticise,” Armouti told The Jordan Times yesterday, adding that criticism is allowed if it serves the public interest according to articles 15 and 17 of the Constitution. Article 15 of the Constitution says: “The State shall guarantee freedom of opinion. Every Jordanian shall be free to express his opinion by speech, in writing, or by means of photographic representation and other forms of expression, provided that such does not violate the law.”
I don’t think I need to point out the obvious and long-standing contradiction.
But here’s another one just in case…
The Press and Publications Law does not permit detaining journalists for charges related to practising their profession, but other laws, including the Penal Code, stipulate jail penalties in cases of slander and libel. [source]
sigh.
I think that’s a perfect example of a Catch-22.
the law says you can crticise anything so long as you do not violate the law which says your criticism doesn’t criticise the law.
If Khalid Mahadin wants to play a hero,
let him voice his opinion about the corruption of the palace,
who would send a third-tier regime horn to have a liver transplant in London, on the people’s expense.
Plus, nothing says journalistic bravery and integrity than holding the much-coveted “His majesty’s former media advisor”!