Khaberni -
What used to be hints and insinuations now echoes openly, that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, monopolizes the official discourse of the Jordanian state, which has caused the official discourse to lose its diversity, and made other officials issue general statements which are incomprehensible.
It might have been possible to ignore the whispers about this monopolization of the Jordanian discourse, but the noticeable absence of most officials from the screens confirms its existence, until any official appears, we see that he remains in the grey area.
Here we criticize the public persona that Minister Safadi represents, as Foreign Minister and not as a personal attack, as he was a colleague of ours at the Jordanian TV, where we addressed him as a media professional who understands the rules of the business.
In recent years, Jordan has gone through and continues to experience various external circumstances, from what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank to Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and the wars, all of which have imposed many repercussions internally and externally, leaving Jordan facing many questions from foreign media before local media.
The government spokesperson and relevant officials do not respond to media requests, and the reason is that they need the Minister's permission, or they fear appearing. Consequently, the recourse to former ministers and officials to speak about the Jordanian stance, through analysis, has become common.
I will preemptively respond to those who say that this is required to regulate the official discourse in sensitive circumstances, and I ask whether the other officials do not have the national sense to respond! Or are they not qualified, when they are in positions that require them to do so.
There is no doubt that Minister Safadi has played an important role in facing what is happening in Gaza "despite my reservations about some of his speeches which carry phrases not befitting the diplomatic role he plays".. I say this as a journalist, who has been in the news kitchen for several decades, and I am almost certain that I know every Minister of Foreign Affairs, not only in the region but in the world, I know each one's style and method.
The point is that there are many state men in Jordan, and their voices are needed in the future, where the challenges are tough, and we need a stronger domestic front to face threats.
One of the reasons for the violations by some, to undermine Jordan's role in Gaza, was the absence of formal media and community discourse. I believe we needed the previous Corona experience, daily press conferences that address all questions, and respond to all skepticism.
Minister Safadi is one of the ministers who understands all that I have said because he was a journalist before becoming a minister, and he must not forget that. To understand the bigger picture more, he needs to put himself in the current officials' shoes..
I am exercising my media right as a Jordanian, criticizing a minister who holds a sovereign portfolio in his country's government, just as other ministers in the government are criticized daily.
Therefore, I do not only wish for Safadi to be more receptive, but also to expand participation and not monopolize the official discourse.
