Amman, Jordan - Jordan's Press Association (JPA) slammed parliament on Thursday for approving a clause in a draft law which allows the imprisonment of journalists.
"We reject this decision. We are opposed to the imprisonment of journalists for expressing their opinions by writing, verbally or by any other means, and linking this to four taboos," JPA president Tareq Momani told AFP.
"At the same time we welcome parliament's decision to scrap a clause calling for the arrest of journalists over publication matters," he added.
During its deliberations of a controversial press and publication draft law, the 110-seat lower house approved on Wednesday a clause to imprison journalists over four violations outlined in Article 26.
Journalists could go to jail if they "defame any religion protected under the constitution", namely Islam, Christianity and Judaism, or if they "offend the prophets" in writing or through the publication of cartoons.
They could also face imprisonment if their writing is seen as an "insult to religious sentiments and beliefs, fuelling sectarian strife or racism," and finally if it "slanders or libels" any individual, Petra news agency said.
MP Jamal Dmur told AFP parliament's decision on jail terms was final, but Momeni expressed the hope that the lower house, which has yet to discuss other clauses of the draft law ahead of a final vote, will retract its decision.
"We will continue to put pressure on parliament to retract its decisions for the sake of freedom of expression and Jordan's efforts to push for democratic reforms," he added.
Almost a year ago the government, under pressure from domestic and international rights groups to raise the level of press freedoms in Jordan, sent parliament a new press and publication draft law.