The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and journalists for press freedom, had condemned the detention of Roya TV channel’s general manager Fares Sayegh and news director Mohamad al-Khalidi by Jordanian security forces.

The arrest took place  Thursday after the TV channel aired a segment in which people from the impoverished neighborhoods of the capital Amman were complaining about the lockdown imposed by the government to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

“In times of emergency media and the government can and should work together for the common good, but jailing journalists and broadcasters goes against that principle”, IPI Executive Board member Daoud Kuttab said. “Roya TV aired the views of the people from the disadvantaged areas of Amman, upholding their right to freedom of expression. Independent journalism might be unpleasant at times, but journalists, editors, and broadcasters should not be punished for doing their job. Journalism is not a crime.”

"The public prosecution at the state security court has ordered the detention of Sayegh and al-Khalidi for 14 days over the airing of a news segment", Roya TV said in a statement.