Jordan shuts down Press TV in Amman

The Jordanian government has reportedly shut down the Amman bureau of the Tehran-based English news channel, Press TV.

The report comes as Jordanian officials had earlier called on Press TV to apply for a renewal of its accreditation in 2009, which the satellite station had accordingly submitted to the concerned parties.

In June, Jordanian authorities revoked the press credentials of two Iranian satellite TV stations, the Arabic-language Al-Alam and the English-language Press TV.

The move caused the Paris-based journalism watchdog organization, Reporters Without Borders, to write a letter to the Jordanian Media and Communication Minister Nabil Al-Sharif urging him to treat all satellite TV stations equally, and to therefore rescind the closure of Al-Alam and Press TV and give them the licenses and accreditation they need.

"News media must be able to work freely even if their editorial policies or their funding are clearly linked to a foreign country," the press freedom organization said.

Amman alleges that the two Iranian satellite TV stations were denied licenses after they lacked the accreditation and permits needed to operate in Jordan.

This is while an Al-Alam journalist has informed Reporters Without Borders that his station has submitted several requests to the media and communication ministry for the renewal of its accreditation in the past seven months.