Amman: The Profession Protection Committee of the Jordan Press Association (JPA) has reaffirmed that it is continuing to monitor social media accounts impersonating journalists and media professionals, particularly those conducting interviews with General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Tawjihi) students and their families.
According to Jordan News Agency, the committee stated that these practices by non-accredited individuals have harmed the Tawjihi examinations, the Ministry of Education, and professional journalism. It noted that such activities have negatively affected the education sector's reputation by turning a national examination into entertainment and advertising content aimed at increasing views and profits.
The committee stressed that Jordanian legislation does not permit individuals or entities to engage in media or journalistic work through personal social media platforms unless affiliated with a licensed media institution and holding an official permit from the Media Commission. Any independent or personal journalistic practice constitutes a violation of the law.
It emphasized the need for authorized individuals conducting journalistic activities to declare the licensed entity they represent and disclose if the content is for marketing or advertising purposes.
The committee revealed it is examining legal consequences for violators operating without licenses, indicating a potential for legal prosecution. Measures may include requiring violators to pay an annual subscription fee of 1,000 Jordanian dinars, plus 1% of advertising revenues retroactively. They may also face legal action for impersonating journalistic roles.
According to the committee, any court-awarded funds would support emerging journalistic projects through a business incubator the JPA is establishing to promote distinguished professional journalism.
The committee noted that violators had opportunities to regularize their status, but non-compliance has harmed licensed media institutions. Official figures for 2025 indicate over 100 million Jordanian dinars in advertising revenue and media rights have leaked to impersonators on social media.
The committee stressed that oversight responsibility is collective, involving the Media Commission, the Income and Sales Tax Department, the Audit Bureau, the Ministry of Government Communication, relevant ministries, and society. It urged society to reject opportunists and impersonators.
The committee called on authorities to enforce legislation and strengthen oversight of content, warning that unlicensed accounts undermine professionalism and institutional media work.
It concluded by affirming that the JPA will continue to monitor violations to regulate the media landscape and protect the profession. The committee warned that stricter legislation against violators will be applied after all compliance opportunities are exhausted.
Finally, the committee urged officially employed journalists to disclose their institutional identities on personal social media accounts.