JMI Holds Workshop on Collective Organization of Local Radios

Amman -- A workshop on collective organization of radios was held by the Jordan Media Institute (JMI), in partnership with the Support to Media program in Jordan, which is implemented by UNESCO with funding from the EU. The participants in the workshop, which is part of a project to build the capacities of local radios, concluded by agreeing to the establishment of an association for Jordanian local and community radios and proceeding with licensing procedures in line with the laws and regulations in force in the Kingdom.<br /> <br /> The participants in the workshop stressed the importance of establishing professional ties between specialized media outlets, specifically local and community radios, to promote the professional and ethical standards of the profession and achieve its principles of social responsibility.<br /> <br /> The workshop, held in the Dead Sea over two days and attended by managers and staff at a number of radios, is in implementation of the JMI plan launched in 2016 to build the capacities of workers and volunteers at seven local and community radios in the governorates of the Kingdom that are taking part in the project on &quot;building the capacities of local radios.&quot;<br /> <br /> JMI Dean Dr. Basim Tweissi spoke at the opening of the workshop about the importance of self-organization and collective organization of media. He reviewed international experiences in this regard and the positive impact of this organization on the media and on workers and society.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Dr. Tweissi called for unifying the efforts of the participants to set up an association for community radios that works to achieve the objectives of these radios, unify the standards of service offered to the public, and adopt editorial policies and ethical standards to carry out radio work in Jordan, while taking into consideration international experiences in this regard.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Dr. Sakhr Khasawneh, professor of media legislation at the JMI, reviewed the proposed bylaw and the goals and objectives of establishing a professional association that brings together all community radios to achieve the aims and objectives for which it is established and that serve the general good. He explained the mechanisms of the legal establishment of professional organizations and the best practices in line with international rules for the establishment of unions and professional and charitable associations and societies. &nbsp;<br /> <br /> For his part, Javed Sattar, Scottish expert and manager of a network of local radios in Scotland and the director of the Awaz community radio, spoke about the Scottish experience in the creation of professional associations and the collective organization of community radios. He said that the association speaks on behalf of all radios in the meetings that are organized with decision-makers in parliament and the government and with parties that regulate radio work in Scotland.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> The Scottish expert conducted a specialized workshop on managing volunteers in radio work, in which he explained the importance of volunteering in local radios and its role in developing the work of the radio and linking it with local communities.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Dr. Khalid al-Shaqran, director of Al Rai Center for Studies, spoke at a brainstorming session, which he facilitated, about the features of the strategy for collective organization. He elaborated on the principles for building strategies and determining the goals of professional associations through identifying vision and mission and developing an implementable plan that agrees with the scientific foundations of establishment and management to serve as a starting point for this institutional work of this desirable organization.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> Since the beginning of 2017, the JMI has carried out 115 training programs throughout the governorates of the Kingdom on producing field radio reports and preparing and presenting newscasts. This is part of its comprehensive training plan, which is based on an assessment study conducted by a team of experts. The aim is for the participating local and community radios to actually benefit and for this to reflect on their performance through developing the capacities of their workers. Around 150 people are expected to benefit from the training programs.<br /> <br /> The targeted radios are Sawt Al Aqaba, Sawt Al Janub, Sawt Al Karak, Tafila Technical Radio, University of Jordan, Liqa FM/Zarqa, and Yarmouk FM/Irbid.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> In another development, the JMI has started receiving applications for the MA program in Journalism and New Media for the year 2017/2018 until 6 July. For more information, please visit the website of the JMI www.jmi.edu.jo or call the following numbers + 962 6 5713304/6&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;