Jordan Media Institute - Amman
The media’s role as an essential arena in crisis management has emerged as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Whereas crisis management depends to a large extent on effective and speedy communication between official institutions and citizens, the crisis which called for social distancing measures that restrained communication, has shed even more light on the role of media.
Media outlets were distinguished in their ability to professionally and precisely cover current events from different angles and to answer questions circulating among citizens as they were quarantined in their houses dependent on media outlets and eager for precise information that would explain unfolding events and the necessary measures to cope with these exceptional circumstances.
The need today is clear for specialized media, where journalists are able to present integrated information about different sectors that are not a part of our daily lives. This media uses analysis and reliable sources to present a clear, simple picture to all segments of society. The world has seen, for instance, the necessity of health journalism that can present complicated medical information to the public in an easily-understood format. That journalism plays an important role in preventing and raising awareness of the danger of the virus, whose destructive impact was felt across the whole world. At the same time, the crisis also demonstrated the importance of observing journalistic ethics and morals.
As for how to prepare journalists to be a part of this specialized media, the Dean of the Jordan Media Institute (JMI), Doctor Ziad Rifai, emphasized the importance of practical experience, coupled with theoretical analysis of the principles of journalistic work. This, he said, is the most important step for a journalist to take while looking for fields where there is a societal need for specialization, and where the journalist can contribute to the development of specific sectors that may be absent from the journalism scene and suffering from a lack of interest and support at different levels.
Dr. Rifai also said that JMI provides a vigorous academic path that is in a state of constant renewal and adaptation. It provides space and opportunities for students to specialize and distinguish themselves, and to experience, interact, and engage with events directly, as a part of their education and skill-building. This process enables journalists to use tools that prepare them to engage with and create content that meets the needs of the public, through an up-to-date and continuously developing curriculum, whose contents are prepared and presented by local and international experts.
During the crisis, JMI continued its education process - as did other national educational institutions - for its master’s program in Journalism and New Media, with online courses through its internet platforms, in parallel with the production of journalistic materials via smartphones.
Since its founding by Her Highness the Princess Rym Ali 10 years ago, JMI has welcomed Jordanian and Arab students who wish to develop advanced journalistic and media abilities through its master’s program in Journalism and New Media, providing partial scholarships to admitted students. JMI will be receiving applications online and directly on its campus, until July 2nd.
Those who wish to enroll and take advantage of JMI’s scholarships can apply directly online through JMI’s website, or at JMI’s campus. Those who wish to view previous admissions test examples and conditions for admission, or to ask questions, may do so through JMI’s website, www.jmi.edu.jo.