19 September 2012 Last updated at 05:02 ET

Jordan profile

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media
• Timeline

The Jordanian media have traditionally been under tight state control.

There are "red lines" that journalists cannot cross, says watchdog RSF

"Veneration for the monarchy, religion, but also state institutions and the men who head them are all 'red lines' that journalists must not cross," said Reporters Without Borders in its 2011-12 country report.

Jordan Media City - one of the first such ventures in the region - aims to attract media investments and operates as a regional hub for satellite TV broadcasts.

BBC World Service radio in Arabic broadcasts on FM in Amman (103.1) and in northern Jordan (89.1). Private, music-based FM radio stations have sprung up.

Almost 2 million Jordanians had internet access by December 2011 (InternetWorldStats).

Changes to the Press and Publications Law, approved in 2012, gave officials the power to block and censor websites. The law holds site owners responsible for posted comments and requires news websites to get a licence from the government.

Jordan's Queen Rania has used YouTube as a vehicle for public diplomacy. She is active on Twitter.

The press

• Ad Dustour ("The Constitution") ("The Constitution") - Arabic-language, privately-owned daily
• Al Ra'y - Arabic-language, privately-owned daily
• Al Ghadd - Arabic-language, privately-owned daily
• Al Arab al Yawm - Arabic-language, privately-owned daily
• Jordan Times - English-language daily, sister publication to Al Ra'y

Television

• Jordan Radio and Television - state-run, operates main network Channel One, sports network Channel Two, film network Channel Three and Jordan Satellite Channel

Radio

• Jordan Radio and Television - state-run; services in Arabic, English and French
• Radio Fann - FM entertainment station run by armed forces
• Rotana FM - private, entertainment-based
• Mood FM - private, pop music
• Play 99.6 - private, pop music

News agencies/internet

• Petra - state-run, operated by Information Ministry
• Ammon News - private agency, English-language pages
• Ain News - private, news website