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19 Jul 2016
The Jordan Media Institute (JMI), in collaboration with Al al-Bayt University, organized a seminar on media and information literacy at the university in Mafraq. JMI Dean Dr. Basim Tweissi and JMI Senior Adviser Bayan Tal took part in the seminar, which was moderated by Dr. Mohammed Miqdad. Some staff members of the university and students attended the seminar.<br />
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Dr. Tweissi underlined the need for equipping Arab youth with the necessary tools to handle the different media outlets filling cyberspace. This requires complete awareness of the hidden aspects and agendas of any media outlet and the editorial policy followed by media institutions, and developing a critical sense of the different media. He explained that media and information literacy is an approach through which individuals learn how to understand the media and how to evaluate and criticize media messages and take part in producing media content.<br />
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Dr. Tweissi stressed the importance of the project of media literacy at Jordanian universities, which will be launched from Al al-Bayt University and Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, in collaboration with JMI, as part of a project to support the Jordanian media implemented by UNESCO, with the support of the EU.<br />
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Tal highlighted the importance of observing media professionalism, accuracy and objectivity in journalistic work to minimize media errors and the need for abiding by the ethics of media work and steering clear of hate speech and discrimination between various segments of society.<br />
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At the end of the seminar, Professor Mohammed Miqdad, dean of Bayt al-Hikmah Institute, pointed out that the media is a double-edged sword and has to be handled carefully. The participants in the seminar held an expanded discussion on media literacy and its future in Jordan.<br />
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Dr. Tweissi and Tal also met with Al al-Bayt University President Professor Dia-Eddin Arafa. During the meeting, they discussed the project of media and information literacy at Jordanian universities. Al al-Bayt University will be the launching point for implementing the project in the governorates of the north.<br />
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Professor Arafa affirmed that the university is keen on devoting attention to the various media, especially since the university is in the process of launching a radio station called "Voice of the University." Also, media literacy will be included in the curricula taught to students to serve local communities and students through creating opportunities for training and qualification in this important field.<br />
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Dr. Tweissi valued the cooperation of the presidency of the university and its support for this project, which will be a qualitative shift at Al al-Bayt University, through media outreach to serve students and the population of Mafraq Governorate. He underlined the importance of the media in our modern world and its role in achieving development and progress.