Image:
28 Mar 2016
<br />
<strong>28 March 2016</strong><br />
<br />
Jordan Media Institute Dean Basim Tweissi said the media should not become a platform for hatred and radicalism, adding that radicalism works on sensationalism, emotional manipulation and recreating symbols and so does the media. He explained that major political investments were made in several Arab satellite channels during the past few years that serve the culture of radicalism.<br />
<br />
His remarks came during a lecture on 28 March at the Bahrain International Book Fair where Jordan was the guest of honor. The lecture entitled “Arab Media and the Culture of Radicalism” was also attended by Jordan’s ambassador to Bahrain and intellectuals and media leaders from the Arab world.<br />
<br />
Tweissi said that political radicalism in the region was leading the media agenda which is why we see the media promoting radicalization more than moderation. Therefore, much attention should be paid to the on-going media framing which facilitates the production and proliferation of hate speech, and establishes fertile grounds for radicalism, demonization, exclusion and distortion mechanisms. These, he added prosper in environments of political conflict and chronic crises and societies of cultural and religious diversity such as Arab societies.<br />
<br />
He also highlighted the transformations taking place in Arab middle classes which have become the main producers of extremists. The middle class was, during the past three decades, the biggest sector of society to receive education and consume media, but both were in poor quality. It also has higher rates of unemployed youth who have unfulfilled aspirations, and which the media exploits thus turning their pursuit of social justice into a quest for revenge.<br />
<br />
He concluded by stating that the Arab world does not need a plan or strategy to fight radicalism and terrorism but rather restructuring and reforming the media to become independent, professional and pluralistic. Should the media be allowed to operate along those principles, it would be quite capable of playing a role in combatting radicalism.<br />
<br />
The book fair which took place from 24 March-3 April also featured a lecture by Jordan’s minister of culture, a concert by Jordanian band “Rum” and screening of Jordanian award winning and Oscar nominated film “Theeb”.