AKEED -- A monitoring conducted by the Jordanian Media Credibility Monitor (AKEED) of news related to the strike that was staged to protest the new draft income tax law on Wednesday, 30 May, has shown that professional associations and civil society organizations were most active as news sources on websites. According to the monitoring, which included five selected websites, the period 28-30 May saw variation in the number of news stories published on different websites. Ammon website published more than 100 stories on the strike over the course of three days, while other websites, such as Hala Akhbar and Garaa News, published around 30 stories.

On 28-30 May, Ammon news website published 87 news stories and 16 articles, broken down as follows: 30 news stories on strike day, 30 May; 24 stories on 29 May; and 33 stories on Monday, 28 May.

As for sources, civil society organizations and associations had the lion's share as they were cited in 64 stories. These entities were active in issuing statements on the position toward the strike and giving advice to association members and others who are interested in the strike mechanism. The government was a source for 15 stories, while 5 stories depended on parliamentary sources and 3 on vague sources.

Saraya website published 67 news stories and two articles over the three days as follows: 28 stories on Wednesday, 30 May; 26 stories on Tuesday, 29 May; and 13 stories on Monday, 28 May. On sources and active parties, the largest share was for civil society organizations, 40 stories; government sources, 13 stories; parliamentary sources, 10 stories; and unclear sources, 4 stories.

Khaberni website published 27 news stories over the three days as follows: 10 stories on strike day, Wednesday, 30 May; 12 stories on Tuesday, 29 May; and 5 stories on Monday, 28 May. As for sources and active parties, civil society organizations topped the list with 22 stories, followed by 3 stories without sources, and 2 stories depending on government sources.

Hala Akhbar website published 33 stories over the three days as follows: 11 stories on Wednesday, 30 May; 14 stories on Tuesday, 29 May; and 8 stories on Monday, 28 May. As for sources and active parties, 17 stories depended on sources from civil society organizations, 12 depended on government sources, and 4 depended on parliamentary sources.

During the same period, Garaa News published 30 news stories, mostly on strike day, totaling 20. On Tuesday, 29 May, the website published 6 stories, and on 28 May, it published 3 stories. One story was without a source. Meanwhile, civil society organizations were the active parties in 20 stories. Five stories had parliamentary sources and 4 depended on government entities.

AKEED observed that pictures were the main element in the news published on strike day to keep the public informed of developments all over the Kingdom. Most of the stories were short and did not exceed 100 words in most cases.

AKEED also noticed that on many occasions, the sources reflected the type of story and its bias in favor of the strike or against it. Most stories that depended on government sources were against the strike, while stories that depended on civil society organizations and political parties were supportive of the strike, with some exceptions, such as the Bakery Owners Association and Private Hospitals Association.

A large percentage of the stories depended on pre-prepared statements issued by the entities taking part in the strike to explain their position toward the draft tax law, as well as the arrangements and mechanism of participation in the strike. The entities taking part in, and organizing, the strike stayed in touch with news websites, which made its news more visible on these websites.