For the last several weeks, Jordanians have discussed their own government and society in Twitter under the hashtag #ReformJo. The hashtag has provided an opportunity not just to criticize Jordan's government, but to provide suggestions to improve Jordan, from anti-smoking measures to educational reform to amending Jordan's constitution.
Inspired by the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions, the Twitter community has been resolute in the need for reform within Jordan's monarchy.
Ali Dahmash advocated personal action:
By the way #ReformJo includes every one of us, by loving our neighbor, driving properly, not throwing things from the car, caring about #Jo
Others focused on combating corruption. Jawad Abbasi asked for laws requiring public officials to disclose personal financial information prior to taking office:
@PrincessPetra81 #Reformjo any public official who wants his net worth and finances to be private, should not assume a public position. Easy
Facade al-Fasad tweeted:
cut down on independent commissions, seize assets from biggest corruption cases, budget deficit solved with a extra change #reformjo
Ahed Al-Adwan agreed:
Corruption in all forms, must be dealt with harshly, corrupted people must be undermined, boycotted and not praised in any way. #reformjo
Others centered their discussions on equality between Jordanians of Jordanian and Palestinian origin, and between genders. Ali Abu-Nimah wrote:
It would be much healthier for #JO to engage in serious, rapid #ReformJO than to stage contests about who is loyal and who is not.
Nasma Bar recommended:
No more “Aslak falasteeni wila urdoni?” we are all Jordanian. #reformjo
Fida Taher added:
Jordanian women (like myself) should be able to give their children the Jordanian nationality #reformjo
Still others, like Nader Idkeidek, recommended reform to Jordan's state-run media JordanTV:
1st step to #ReformJO is to #ReformJTV, mayb whole pub med. Is it me or we are all skipping JTV, and listening only to Wakeel in the morning
Zein al-Fawwaz agreed:
If we are talking about reform can we please start with Jordanian media? JTV! #reformjo
Bilal Mahmoud was one of many to suggest economic initiative:
Let's all support local businesses, buy made in jordan, fly rj and buy directly from farmers… #reformjo #jo #jordanian #Jordan
Michael Nazzal tweeted:
#Sustainable #tourism provides #Jordanians in their towns and villages with an income from #handcrafts…#Jordan.#reformjo
Hamzeh Nassif wants to see a focus on renewable energy:
Make #Jo a center for excellence in solar energy, see this proposal: http://www.manbaralrai.com/?q=node/96490 #ReformJO #Jo
Sheren joined many calling for education reform:
Considering “TEACHING” as a profession and not a job will improve the outcome of the eduaction system. #ReformJO #education
Many focused on increasing citizen participation in governance processes. Hussam Soudani wrote:
Enhance public participation in the decision making process and strengthening the role of the civil society institutions. #reformjo
Tareq Abu-Lughod tweeted:
Since our taxes pay for most of Government spending, we'd like to approve, at least monitor Government spending. #ReformJo
Many demanded a new election law that would correct district gerrymandering, currently skewed to favor rural areas that are traditionally loyal to loyalist parliamentary candidates. Mahmoud Lattouf wrote:
#ReformJo: A just and representative election law taking and allowing the establishment of real political parties
Suleiman Bakhit wrote:
@samihtoukan @myUrdon @AhedAladwan Only issue is speed. We all agree root of all #reformjo is a progressive elections law
Ali Abu-Nimah added:
Return to 1952 constitution (democratic parliamentary regime with constitutional monarchy) emerges as #ReformJO issue http://t.co/bz2jkuO
Discussions of reform in Jordan continue on Twitter at #reformJo, and also at ReformJo's newly-launched website.