Jordan Press Foundation – State Media Monitor

The Jordan Press Foundation is the publisher of Al Ra’i, the highest-circulation Arabic-language newspaper in Jordan, and The Jordan Times, a prominent English-language daily based in Amman. These two outlets form the core of the Foundation’s media operations and continue to wield considerable influence over both domestic and international news narratives originating from the country.

Media assets

Publishing: Al Ra’i, The Jordan Times

State Media Matrix Typology

Ownership and governance

The Jordan Press Foundation is majority-owned by the Jordanian state, with approximately 55% of its shares held through the Social Security Corporation, a government-controlled investment arm. The remainder of the company’s shares is listed on the Amman Stock Exchange, although the composition of minority shareholders is not publicly detailed. The Foundation is widely recognized for its lack of transparency concerning its governance structure and internal decision-making processes.

Leadership appointments within the Foundation typically reflect the government’s direct influence over its management. In February 2023, Shehadeh Mohammad Al Kayed Abu Baqar was appointed Chairman of the Board. His background includes senior roles as an adviser to both the Prime Minister and the President of the Senate, further reinforcing the perception that the company is closely aligned with the country’s political leadership. As of mid-2025, no changes to the board structure or ownership composition have been reported, and the Foundation continues to operate under the same leadership framework.

In July 2024, the Foundation made history by appointing Heyam Karaki as its first female General Manager. A veteran of the organisation since 1997, she climbed the ranks from computer programmer to become Deputy General Manager in March 2021, before assuming the top executive role. Karaki holds a degree in computer science and a diploma in human resources, combining technical acumen with personnel management. Under her leadership in 2025, she has reinforced the Foundation’s commitment to digital growth and operational efficiency, while also steering key digital transformation projects (see below).

Source of funding and budget

There is little publicly available information about the current financial performance of the Jordan Press Foundation. However, previously disclosed internal records provide some insight into the company’s economic trajectory. In 2019, the Foundation reported revenues of approximately JOD 8.5 million (US$12 million), which declined sharply to JOD 4.6 million (US$6.6 million) in 2020. That same year, the company incurred a significant loss of JOD 7.6 million, underscoring the financial vulnerabilities facing Jordan’s print media sector.

According to PitchBook data, the Foundation reported trailing twelve-month revenues of US $8.1 million (~JOD 5.7 million) for the year ending December 31, 2023.

While no updated financial data for 2024 has been published, media experts and journalists interviewed for this report in May 2024 and March-April 2025 consistently report that Al Ra’i is among the largest beneficiaries of state-sponsored advertising in Jordan. These government contracts—allocated through official institutions and ministries—play a critical role in the company’s continued operation. However, due to the opacity surrounding the Foundation’s finances, it is not possible to conclusively determine whether public funding constitutes more than half of its annual revenue.

Editorial independence

The editorial stance of the Jordan Press Foundation’s publications reflects a long-standing alignment with the state. Al Ra’i is widely considered a pro-government outlet, often described as a de facto government mouthpiece. Its content consistently emphasizes official statements, royal family activities, and narratives supportive of state policy, while avoiding critical or investigative reporting that might challenge governmental authority.

While The Jordan Times has historically been regarded as more independent, a content analysis of its reporting during January, February, and March of 2024 conducted for this report by Media and Journalism Research Center revealed overt bias in favor of the royal house. This finding has raised further doubts about the degree of editorial autonomy the paper enjoys in practice, particularly on issues involving political power or governance.

There is no statute in Jordanian law that guarantees the editorial independence of the Jordan Press Foundation or its publications. Moreover, no independent oversight body exists to assess or enforce journalistic standards or prevent political interference. Editorial leadership appointments are widely believed to be subject to vetting by the country’s intelligence services, and journalists have reported an environment of increasing self-censorship and institutional caution.

Under current director Karaki’s leadership, Al Ra’i remains a vocal proponent of official state narratives. In June 2025, Karaki penned a birthday tribute to His Majesty King Abdullah II on behalf of Al Ra’i, emphasising the paper’s enduring role as a public platform dedicated to loyalty, unity, and national development. This editorial tone underscores the continued alignment with government messaging and the lack of critical distance in coverage. Karaki has asserted Al Ra’i’s mission to convey the “voice of the Jordanians” and preserve credibility—even as the publication continues to echo official policy without pushing boundaries.

July 2025