CPJ demands answers over reported jailing of Jordanian sports journalist 

New York, July 14, 2026 –The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Jordanian authorities and the Jordan Press Association (JPA) to provide a full and transparent public account of the case of sports journalist Aisha Salman al-Alaiwat, professionally known as Rima Al-Abbadi, who was reportedly sentenced to over two years in prison and expelled from the JPA under circumstances that have not been publicly explained.

“When cases involving journalists are shrouded in secrecy, public confidence in judicial institutions and professional accountability mechanisms is weakened,” said CPJ’s Levant Program Coordinator Joud Hasan. “The public has a legitimate interest in understanding the legal justification for proceedings against Al-Alaiwat and how they comply with Jordan’s obligations to protect press freedom and fundamental rights.”

According to widely circulated reports, Al-Alaiwat was sentenced to two years and two months jail time under Jordan’s Cybercrime Law after being detained over content published on digital platforms. CPJ has been unable to review the material in question and the initial news pieces reporting on Al-Alaiwat’s detention have since been deleted.  

Earlier in April, the JPA announced that it had upheld a disciplinary decision to expel her from the body and removed her from its register, not disclosing the reason for its decision.

CPJ’s repeated requests for comment from the Jordanian Media Commission and the JPA via email and messenger app received no response.