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Human Rights Watch criticized the provision in Jordan's press law that requires all journalists to join one press association.

Last week, the JPA's disciplinary committee decided to expel three leading Jordanian journalists as members because they visited Israel in September in violation of the professional association's ban on "normalized" relations with Israel. Jordan's press and publications law makes JPA membership mandatory for anyone working as a journalist in Jordan. The disciplinary committee's decision to expel the three journalists, if endorsed by the JPA leadership, will prevent them from practicing their profession in Jordan.

"This case is a perfect illustration of why the press law needs to be amended," said Hanny Megally, executive director of the Middle East and North Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. "Journalists should be free to travel, seek information, and express their opinions. They should not be required to join a specific association, particularly one that has the power to interfere with these freedoms and threaten the loss of one's job."

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