This blog represents only my own ideas, observations, and anecdotes; it is not representative of nor attributable to the US Government (USG) or Fulbright Commission.
Every briefing we’ve had so far, the Fulbright Commission and USG staff have stressed that Fulbrighters have full freedom of speech — the same as we would have in the States.
To illuminate this, one of the embassy staff pointed to what they call the “PIC” questions. These are topics that Americans should be prepared to answer in Jordan – because Arabs will ask them…
P – Palestine/Israel
I – Invasion (Iraq, Afghanistan, what will happen with Syria?)
C – Conspiracy Theories (….apparently, there are loads)
These are questions that Fulbrights should be prepared to answer, just by the nature of living and interacting with Jordanians. But they are also topics on which Fulbrights may (often) have different opinions than official USG policy.
The embassy stressed that we have full freedom of speech — in our responses and in other mediums (ie: this blog) — but we need a disclaimer to remind people that despite our government fellowship, we are not USG employees nor formal USG representatives conveying official policy.
Therefore —- once again,
This blog represents only my own ideas, observations, and anecdotes; it is not representative of nor attributable to the US Government (USG) or Fulbright Commission.
Julie in Jordan! 