Jordan's King Abdullah II has endorsed amendments to the press and publication law that stirred controversy in the country and was seen by some online journalists as a threat to freedom of expression, AFP reported.

The king on Monday (September 17th) issued a decree approving the law in its new form, after parliament passed amendments that require the country's 220 news websites to obtain licences from the government, which can censor content and hold journalists liable for posted online comments.

The amendments also stipulate that each website must employ an editor-in-chief.

A number of journalists and rights activists had urged the king to reject the law.