Internet freedom in Jordan remained restricted. Communication platforms were blocked during school exams, and the Cybercrime Law was used to stifle freedom of expression online. Journalists, activists, and social media users continued to face prosecution, harassment, and surveillance in response to their online criticism of the government or commentary on sensitive topics.

• In June 2024, Jordan’s Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) announced that messaging applications would be temporarily blocked through mid-July in order to prevent cheating during national academic exams. The blocking was only in place during the hours of the exams (A3).1
• In May 2025, authorities blocked 12 online news outlets in a major crackdown on critical reporting. The outlets included Voice of Jordan, Raseef22, and London-based Middle East Eye; the blocking was apparently prompted by Middle East Eye’s reporting on allegations that the Jordanian government had been profiting from its delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip amid the war there. Jordan’s media commission accused the outlets of “spreading media poison and attacking Jordan and its national symbols” (B1).2
• Authorities continued to use the 2023 Cybercrime Law to encourage self-censorship and pressure internet users to remove critical content. During the coverage period, journalists and activists were summoned to police stations or arbitrarily detained over their online activity, and they were often compelled to pledge their silence on sensitive topics, such as the war in Gaza, before being released (B2, B4, and C3).3
• Several journalists and activists were sentenced to prison for their online activity during the coverage period, with the criminal charges focusing on content that was deemed to be critical of the government or its policies. In June 2024, journalist Hiba Abu Taha was sentenced to one year in prison for an online article in which she criticized Jordan’s relationship with Israel.4 In January 2025, it was reported that political activist Ayman Sandouqa had been sentenced to five years in prison for a social media post in which he criticized King Abdullah II’s policies toward Israel (C3).5

Jordan is a monarchy in which the king plays a dominant role in politics and governance. The parliament’s lower house is elected, but the electoral system and limits on civil liberties put the opposition at a disadvantage; the chamber wields little power in practice. The media and civil society groups are hampered by restrictive laws and government pressure. The judicial system lacks independence and often fails to ensure due process.

This report has been abridged for Freedom on the Net 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.