The Department of Press and Publications

• The Department of Press and Publications is one of the oldest information institutions in Jordan. It was founded on March 12, 1937 when the Prime Minister directed that a directorate of publications be established to regulate newspapers and publications.
• The department was formerly known as the Directorate of Publications and Official Gazette and its administrative functions were directly related to the Prime Ministry until mid 1950s.
• The Ottoman publications law under which this department worked was issued on April 23, 1928.
• The statute of the Department of Press and Publications of 1953 number (6) was set up in 1953 and thereby this department was attached to the Prime Ministry.
• From March 12, 1956 to September 20, 1958 the Department of Press and Publications was attached to the Ministry of Foreign affairs.
• On February 2, 1958 the title “ Head of Broadcasting Corporation, Publications and Tourism” was changed into “Head of the National Guidance” and then the Ministry of information was established on February 12, 1964.
• On February 12, 1964, the administrative functions of the Department of Press and Publications became directly related to the Ministry of Information and this department became an independent entity in pursuance with the organizational system of the Ministry of Information 1966 number (25) and thereby it has undertaken its responsibilities and tasks in the field of media and information.
• From April, 1988 to December 1992 the Department of Press and Publications was merged with the other departments of the Ministry of Information.
• A royal decree was issued to sanction the system of the Department of Press and Publications of 1994 number (2) and was enacted on February 1, 1994 as it was published in the official gazette. Then the press and publications law 1998 number (8) has come into effect.
• The Department of Press and Publications has become independent from the Ministry of Information and has had its own budget and job formulation schedule.

The Organizational Structure of the

Department of Press and Publications

 The officials in the department pursue the best methods and techniques to carry out their duties and responsibilities in order to achieve the objectives of the department. The statute of the department 1994 number (2) which was issued in accordance with Article (120) of the constitution of Jordan is implemented to organize press and publication and this covers all the department’s duties.

The department has nine directorates:

1.      Directorate of  News and Information

2.      Directorate of Administrative and Financial Affairs

3.      Directorate of Internal Control and Administrative Development

4.      Directorate of Licensing

5.      Directorate of  Control

6.      Directorate of  Local Press

7.      Office of Public Relations

8.      Office of  Legal Consultant

9.      Office of  Director General

The number of the department’s employees is (133 ) and they are holders of degrees ranging from Diploma to PhD.

Affirming decentralization the department has facilitated procedures through its offices in:

·        Amman Post Office

·        Irbid  Post Office

·        Central  Post Office

 Duties and Responsibilities 

The department issues a wide range of publications and all are available to the public. The major aims and responsibilities of the department are: 

• Implementing the laws related to publishing specialized publications and licensing journalistic institutions in addition to cooperating and coordinating with information institutions by facilitating their functions in accordance with the press and publications law 1998 number (8) and its amendments.
• Supervising the process of importing and exporting books and other publications in addition to supervising the procedures of licensing the books and publications issued by Jordanians.
• Issuing regular press reports regarding local and regional issues along with research and studies over current issues.
• Issuing periodicals and documentary publications shedding light on Jordanian achievements in political, economic and cultural fields.
• Expanding the database, documenting the speeches and statements of the King and Jordanian officials and all international and regional events which concern Jordan.