Jordan Media Institute– Amman
The application of digital technologies underscored the need for a digital transformation in the media in both the local and global technological landscapes. The virtual symposium hosted by Her Highness Princess Rym Ali, Founder of the Jordan Media Institute,and attended by Tone Allers, Norway’s Ambassador to Jordan, highlighted the importance of being part of the digital revolution that has transformed the fields of mobile journalism and information. With a growing segment of the global population reliant on mobile phones and other handheld devices, English is no longer the dominant language in the digital sphere.
The desire to follow this path and keeping up with digital transformations was emphasized by Her Royal Highness: “…we believe that we need to communicate with the world around us and with young people, especially, given the digital world in which we are now living.” Recognizing years of cooperation and exchange of expertise between JMI and the Norwegian Institute of Journalism, the princess underscored the special relationship that connects the two affirming JMI’s aspirations “…to pursue this more in the future.”
Ambassador Allers expressed her appreciation for the collaboration with the Jordan Media Institute and the mutual support and communication between the partners. She also praised the steps that have been taken in exchanging experiences in the field of digital transformation to support the next generation of journalists and to develop their skills in supporting freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
Journalist and educator Torry Pedersen who spoke at the symposium identified four tracks that the media needs to be successful in the digital world: (1) it must rapidly transmit information; (2) it must be widely available; (3) it must understand the desires and aspirations of the people, and what attracts them; and (4) the media must tell stories that have an emotional impact on the audience. He further emphasized that the media must use a variety of mediums, such as pictures and videos etc, when presenting stories.
The event, moderated by Dr. Mustafa Hamarneh, presented the attendees with the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion with the speakers. Among the topics brought up was how the media can balance digital transformation while preserving its financial resources in order to remain sustainable, as well as the challenges facing the media in this area, which is considered new to the Jordanian press. The session also discussed the implications of the availability of vast amounts of information online.
This symposium on digital transformation is part of the Jordan Media Institute’s partnership under the program “Strengthening the Skills of a New Generation of Journalists in Jordan with the Goal of Developing their Abilities to Support Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Expression.Funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Norwegian Embassy in Jordan, the project’s goal is to promote awareness, knowledge and understanding of freedom of the press and freedom of expression among new journalism graduates as well as youth working in media.
The Jordan Media Institute was established in 2006 as an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that aims to provide high quality journalism education and training in Jordan and the Arab region.
For more information about this event or to receive updates from JMI, please email us at info@jmi.edu.jo