AKEED, Anwar Ziadat

A Jordanian lady who claims to be hunting hyenas has turned into a "heroine" in many media outlets and on social media platforms after posting a video of herself while emerging from a cave carrying two shackled hyena cubs. While this incident is a violation criminalized by legislation currently in force, the media that covered this story showed weakness in handling cases about protecting the environment and wildlife.  

The footage has generated mixed reactions, especially on social media. This prompted the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) to issue a statement, confirming that the lady had committed an illegal act.

The Jordanian Media Credibility Monitor (AKEED) followed this story and contacted the RSCN and the president of the Jordan Press Association (JPA). It also examined the legal texts related to this case.

Hanan Momani, press officer at the RSCN, described what happened as "an attack on wildlife." She said that "the Hunting Law bans and criminalizes this act. It is not allowable to handle these animals in this manner or remove them from their habitat."

She added that the RSCN, in cooperation with the Royal Department for Environmental Protection (Rangers), would investigate this case and take the necessary legal action. She indicated that the fact that a lady, who claims to be a media person, carried out this act and filmed it had a more negative effect than an ordinary citizen posting a video he recorded. She said that the RSCN did not receive complaints from the residents of the area concerning any danger posed by the hyenas. However, the RSCN received dozens of calls over the past hours on the attack on these animals.

She said that the video promoted violation of wildlife. Its content constitutes unjustified behavior, which aims at showing off. It sets a negative example, which runs counter to the role of the media in serving the community and protecting wildlife.

AKEED contacted the JPA and confirmed that the lady was not registered as an active member, or even a trainee.

JPA President Tareq Momani criticized people who pose as journalists. He pointed out that many persons who are not registered as journalists with the JPA pose as journalists and act accordingly. This hurts the reputation of the press in general.

He explained that the law clearly defines a practicing journalist who enjoys this capacity. He indicated that the Press and Publications Law applies to journalists, while the Penal Code applies to non-members. He added that it is the responsibility of fellow media persons to abide by professional standards. This is a key factor to safeguard the profession and present news based on credibility and clarity.

Article 2 of the JPA Law defines a journalist as "a member of the JPA who is registered as a practicing journalist and who takes up journalism as a profession, in accordance with the provisions of this law." 

Article 18 of the JPA Law further stipulates that "persons who are not practicing journalists may not declare themselves as journalists and may not use any phrase to this effect."

Article 56 of Agriculture Law No. 13 of 2015 on "protecting wild birds and animals" prohibits any of the following acts:

• Hunting wild birds and animals without a license and hunting in areas where-and at times when-hunting is prohibited.
• Killing, possessing, transferring, or selling wild birds and animals or displaying them for sale.
• Hunting birds of prey and predators in any manner except with the approval of the minister.
• Disturbing the dens of wild animals and nests of wild birds, collecting or destroying their eggs, and harming their cubs or chicks.
• Cruelty to animals.