Editorial:

Time to settle debate

October 10, 2005

The Jordan Press Association (JPA) appears to be giving in a bit, which could mean that it is beginning to see reason.
But the JPA has yet to budge on the principal point of contention, raised by a National Agenda proposal to do away with mandatory membership in the association for anyone practising journalism.

What it has done is signal willingness to accept some amendments to its existing legislation. It was about time it dispensed with its discriminatory policy of prohibiting journalists working for foreign press institutions from running for office in the JPA council.

The JPA president himself called such articles in the law “illogical.” And in that vein, the association also said it was ready to drop the unduly long period of “training” that was required of newcomer members.

But on the issue of mandatory membership, the JPA continues to hold out. It has yet to make a move that can bridge the gap between it and the National Agenda Steering Committee.

The question is why is the association making some “concessions” on marginal issues but refusing to yield on the make-or-break issue of the mandatory membership rule.

It appears that the “concessions” being floated are tactical in nature — working to absorb some of the clamour by appearing to be accommodating on some nuts and bolts issues. But the association should be the first to recognise that once it functions to the full standards of any influential trade association — having as primary concern protection of journalists in the carrying out of their work — most journalists would readily seek membership. This is the way and the language that most countries have endorsed for protecting the profession of journalism and those who practise it.

Hopefully, at the end of the day, the JPA will acknowledge that it is time to settle the ongoing acrimonious debate once and for all and relinquish the issue of mandatory membership.