His Majesty King Abdullah II on Sunday called for speeding up measures to complete the media legislation that could realize a vision to establish a national media characterized with a high degree of professionalism and responsible freedom.

During a meeting with the Higher Media Council (HMC) attended by Minister of Royal Court and Information Minister, King Abdullah stressed the role of the Council and the government to build up a state media based on excellence and creativity.

"Lifting restrictions on the media should go in parallel with responsibility and commitment on part of the journalists," King Abdullah said.

The King commended the Jordanian Press Association plan to establish a code of honour for journalists and expressed hope this code would be a qualitative leap in the media activities. The King also hoped that cooperation between the government and HMC would bring about media policies and strategies capable of fulfilling our aspiration to create a national and responsible media.