Jordanian authorities close down television station affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood

Jordanian security forces have recently shut down a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated channel, Al-Yarmouk TV, as part of a wider crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism in the Kingdom. This move has sparked concerns from international organizations, including the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), who have called on the Jordanian authorities to allow journalists and media outlets to operate freely without fear of retaliation.

The closure of Al-Yarmouk TV came after security forces stormed the channel’s offices in Amman on 7 May, seizing broadcasting equipment and preventing employees from entering the building. The public prosecutor cited the network’s unauthorised activity and broadcasting without official governmental approvals as reasons for the shutdown.

Al-Yarmouk TV has been known for airing content from the Hamas-affiliated broadcaster Al-Aqsa TV since the French satellite operator Eutelsat stopped the outlet from broadcasting in October 2023. Despite facing shutdowns in the past for broadcasting without a permit, the channel had filed for a license, which was pending approval at the time of the closure.

The channel’s director, Khader Al-Mashaykh, stated that they had long sought a permit and had been advised by authorities to continue operations while awaiting approval. However, the reasons for denying the channel a permit were not clarified, with officials asserting that the decision was not politically motivated.

This crackdown on Al-Yarmouk TV is part of a broader suppression of pro-Palestinian activism in Jordan, with hundreds of people being arbitrarily detained by security forces since October. Amnesty International reported that at least 1,500 individuals have been arrested, with 500 detained since March following protests outside the Israeli embassy in Amman.

The protests, which saw Jordanian police using batons and tear gas to disperse demonstrators, led to dozens of individuals being held in pre-trial detention, with some facing illegal administrative detention despite the public prosecutor allowing their release. The authorities have also imposed new restrictions on pro-Palestine protests, including banning the Palestinian flag, certain slogans, and the participation of children under 18, with demonstrations being given a curfew of midnight.

Moreover, individuals have been charged under Jordan’s cybercrime law for posting pro-Palestinian statements on social media, which criminalizes any speech that may offend law enforcement officials. Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained over their pro-Palestine activism and urged the government to ensure that protesters and activists have the freedom to peacefully criticize the government’s policies towards Israel without fear of reprisal.

The closure of Al-Yarmouk TV and the broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism in Jordan have raised concerns about press freedom and human rights in the Kingdom, with international organizations calling for the authorities to respect the rights of journalists and activists to express their views without facing persecution.