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04 Feb 2014
<strong>JMI Organizes The First Jordanian Conference on Radio</strong><br />
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Under the patronage of HRH Princess Rym Ali, founder of the Jordan Media Institute (JMI), the “<em>First Jordanian Conference on Radio: The Role of Radio in Development and Democracy</em>” started on Monday February 3<sup>rd</sup> 2014, at the Dead Sea. The conference was organized by JMI and funded by The Norwegian Institute of Journalism and was attended by 90 journalists, academics, radio presenters and representatives of local media.<br />
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The Dean of the Jordan Media Institute, Dr. Basim Tweissi commenced the conference with a speech introducing JMI and announcing the upcoming launch of the student’s new website “Journalists” along with “Article 15” website dedicated to covering human rights violations in addition to a site where studies on the credibility of the Jordanian media will be published in collaboration with the program for Democratic Empowerment.<br />
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He said the conference is held in conjunction with World Radio Day and that it comes after over a decade on the issuance of the first Jordanian legislation that allows the community and the private sector to own and manage mass media. President of the Jordanian Radio Broadcasters Association, Mr. Hatem Al Kiswani joined in with an opening statement along with the Director of the Audiovisual Commission, Amjad Al Qadi who said: “the acceleration of events in the world along with speedy technical development created by globalization brought radio back as an important tool for change”.<br />
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The two-day conference has seven sessions scheduled for presenting worksheets by experts and specialists in the field. The first session titled “Jordanian Radio Stations: Practices and Standards” headed by Dr. Hussein Mahadeen, included the presentation of Ms. Majd Al Amad, of the Jordanian Audiovisual Commission who talked about the landscape of Jordan’s radio stations today. She said: “Thirty two radio stations were granted licenses since 2004. Eleven of the stations are public which 21 are privately owned”. Ms. Majd also pointed out the division is working on following up with these licensed stations to ensure credibility, high professional journalism standards, non-infringement on other licensed stations along with preserving intellectual property rights.<br />
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Mr. Hani Al Badri, who hosts Wasat Al Balad “Midtown Talkshow” also talked about his radio experience with interactive radio programs putting Jordan among the first few Arab countries to successfully implement such a model. He said: “Radio today has an even greater role than television in influencing the audience especially though engagement. In our radio the listener produces the program. We capitalized on the concept of citizen journalism and we’re making the most out of it”.<br />
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Mr. Mahmoud Zawawi who presented a worksheet titled “Jordanian Radio Stations: Social Responsibility vs. Profitability” stressed the importance of a non-profit community radio that addresses issues and serious problems facing the Jordanian society through news coverage and adequate investigative programs granted an all inclusive access to report in Jordan. Mr. Zawawi suggested a number of recommendations including a fees and tax exemption for non-profit radio stations. He also suggested the need for a journalists union and the need for legislation regulating the radio establishment for better accountability producing a generation of professional radio journalists.<br />
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The second session, headed by Dr. Hatem Alawneh evolved around the working environment within Jordanian radio stations. Nidal Mansour, Executive President of Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists in Jordan discussed "Journalism, Freedom and The Role of Social Radio in exposing Violations” leading to Mr. Mohammed Qtaishat's presentation on Jordanian media laws and regulations juxtaposing it to international standards with specific focus on the status of Jordanian audiovisual law. On the other hand, Ms. Sawsan Zaideh, presented her own worksheet on the standard of broadcast radio public service. The session was concluded with Mr. Mohammed Abu Arqoub's presentation on how to launch and develop social radio stations.<br />
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The third session discussed Jordanian Community Radio experiences led by Mr. Faisal Al Shboul, Head of Petra News Agency. Dr. Alawneh contributed to the discussion by relying on his own personal experience at Voice of Yarmouk radio station. Also, Dr. Mohammad Al Nusairat discussed Voice of The South Radio experience along with Ms. Rawan Jayousi, who discussed what she experienced at Al Balad Radio. The interactive session concluded with Radio Hayat FM community radio experience.<br />
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The second day of the conference began with the fourth scheduled session led by Mr. Hatem Al Kiswany. Mr. Mazen Al Majali, Mr. Hisham Dabbagh discussed the importance of cultural sensibility and cultural awareness and its effect on radio performance for those who work in the field.<br />
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Broadcast Radio and Change was the final topic to be discussed at the final session whereby Lawyer Saed Karajah led the discussion with Ms. Yusur Hassan on the Radio's Role in Youth Democracy Empowerment. Dr. Hussein Mahadeen argued that social and cultural change will be technically expedited by local radios. Dr. Majali, on the other hand, discussed the importance of highlighting and merging demographic matters into radio programs. Dr. Tweissi who discussed Local Democracy and Radio Stations wrapped up the session.<br />
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The two-day conference concluded by forming four discussion groups to come up with and propose amendments along with suggested improvements to the Jordanian Senate and House of Representatives for review and possible implementation. Topics of discussion included Jordan’s Radio station's needs and priorities, recommended media laws and regulations, ethical and professional code of conduct for interactive radio stations along with legal accountability for all those involved.