(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency) Finance Minister Umayah Touqan and State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani, on Sunday, met the head and rapporteur of the Lower House's National Steering Committee as part of the government's efforts to find a solution to the print media's financial crisis.
The meeting between the ministers and the committee's head, Zakariyah Al Sheikh, and rapporteur, Hayel Daaja, was to follow up on the panel's recommendations "to come up with solutions to the financial woes that local newspapers are currently facing." The meeting tackled key matters concerning the government, including subscriptions, adverts and tax exemptions granted to the print media "within the provisions of the law and regulations." It was agreed at the meeting that the Ministry of Finance would carry out a thorough examination of the issue and all its legal, financial and technical dimensions and to pass the necessary recommendations to the cabinet for further examination in order to take proper decisions.
Among the newspapers worst affected is Ad-Dustour, the country's oldest daily, whose staff had not received their salaries for months.
Meanwhile, the Jordan Press Association (JPA) reiterated its support of protests and other measures taken by staff of Ad-Dustour and the other major Al Rai daily against the management of the two leading dailies.
The JPA also said it backed the government's intervention and urgent mediation by other relevant stakeholders to "rescue this vital media sector".
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