Crimes of Electronic Defamation, Libel, and Slander under Jordanian Cybercrimes Law

Abstract

This article aims to examine how the Jordanian Cybercrimes Law (No. 27 of 2015) addresses the crimes of electronic defamation, libel, and slander, to develop a better understanding of how these crimes can be combatted, as they are the most widespread cybercrimes committed in Jordan. This article uses a mixed-methods approach using descriptive and analytical methods. The descriptive method is used to outline the special nature of the crimes of electronic defamation, libel and slander, as well as related substantive and procedural rules. Meanwhile, the analytical method is used to determine how these crimes are considered in the existing literature, including both primary and secondary sources. This article has several results, the most important being that it is irrational to rely solely on the Jordanian Cybercrimes Law to address electronic defamation, libel, and slander; instead, other legislation should be followed as well, such as the substantive and procedural rules within the Jordanian Penal Code and the Jordanian Code of Criminal Procedures. This article is a piece of original research that paves the way for future research on the adoption of a comprehensive legal framework tackling cybercrimes in Jordon.