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12 Mar 2013
Tuesday March 12th 2013 JMI organized a discussion panel today entitled “Media development priorities” in cooperation with the UN Resident Coordinator office in Jordan. The panel participants included working journalists and JMI Masters students in an open discussion on media and its role in the post 2015 UN development goals. As part of the national consultations for the international UN report, Ms. Costanza Farina, the UN Resident Coordinator, commenced the panel by an introduction to the Jordan post 2015 national consultations agenda. The consultations are taking place in 75 countries and Jordan is one of 9 Arab countries participating. The consultations aim to reach all segments of society. In his opening remarks, JMI Dean Dr Mohammad AlMomani said that JMI is keen on fostering such partnerships and joint efforts that aim to develop the Media environment in Jordan, noting that this consultation panel targets the local journalists. The importance of this activity stems from allowing the journalists themselves to participate and share their ideas and input to the post 2015 development agenda. Ms. Costanza Farina, the UN Resident Coordinator stressed in her opening speech that the UN launched these unprecedented consultations in all areas including all partners in an effort to draft a new development agenda for post 2015. She also added: “these consultations are characterised by their upward approach from the bottom to the top, reflecting the different points of view of all segments of society, especially those whose voices were not heard before.” The debate touched on three main areas of interest focusing on media’s role in activating the public’s participation in the local reform process, and the required changes to encourage a free responsible media environment, in addition to the support journalists need in order to play a vital role in the application of the international development strategy for post 2015. The participants discussed the realities of the media sector in Jordan and the pressing need to amend legislations relating to it. Human rights, freedom of expression and the ethical professional standards required from journalists were some of the topics also discussed. It is worth motioning that as of this month and ending in mid June 2013, JMI has started accepting student applications for admission to its Masters Program in Journalism and New Media for the academic year 2013/2014.