The Public Freedom Index is a comprehensive tool designed to assess and evaluate the level of public freedom in Jordan. This index serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and citizens, providing a quantitative and qualitative analysis of various aspects related to freedom of expression, assembly, association, and other fundamental rights.
The Index aims to gauge the level of public freedom within Jordan, shedding light on the strengths and weaknesses of its democratic practices, also to provide an objective and evidence-based assessment of the country’s democratic climate. By measuring and analyzing key indicators, the index should identify areas of progress, as well as areas that require attention and improvement, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of public freedom and democratic principles.
The importance of having this index lies in its ability to foster transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making.
The index acts as a benchmarking tool, allowing for a comparison of performance in relation to international standards and best practices in upholding public freedom. It facilitates a constructive dialogue among policymakers, civil society organizations, and the public, encouraging the formulation of effective policies and interventions to protect and promote public freedom.
The Public Freedom Index encompasses a range of key indicators that been captured in 6 different dimensions of public freedom:
•Freedom of Expression: This indicator assesses the extent to which individuals can express their opinions and ideas freely without fear of censorship or reprisal.
•Freedom of the press and media: This indicator evaluates the legal and regulatory environment for media organizations, including laws related to defamation, independence and plurality of media, digital rights and internet freedom, and access to information. It assesses the degree to which journalists can report without fear of reprisal or legal consequences.
•Freedom of Assembly and Association: This indicator evaluates the degree to which individuals and groups can exercise their rights to peacefully assemble and associate with others. It examines the legal framework, regulations, and practices related to protests, demonstrations, and the formation of civil society organizations.
•Freedom of Movement: This indicator assesses the ability of individuals to travel and move freely within the country.
•Rule of Law and Judicial Independence: This indicator measures the level of independency of the judiciary from the executive branch of government and the extent to which the government adheres to the rule of law, provides equal protection under the law, and upholds the rights of individuals.
•Economic Freedom: This indicator assesses the extent to which individuals and businesses are free to pursue economic activities, ability to own and control property, engage in international trade without government interference and extent to which the government imposes regulations on businesses and the economy.
•Women’s Rights: This indicator assesses the existence and enforcement of laws protecting women’s rights, including laws against gender-based violence, equal rights under the law, and legal age of marriage, as well as measuring the representation of women in government, their ability to vote and stand for office, and overall political engagement, evaluating gender equality in the workplace, including equal pay, access to education and employment, and policies supporting work-life balance, freedom from discrimination and harassment
•Freedom of Religion and Belief: This indicator assesses the ability of individuals to practice their religion and beliefs without government interference.