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24 Feb 2016
<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>24 February 2016</strong><br />
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Senator Haifa Najjar said the number of internet users is constantly on the rise, which makes digital and electronic media critical modern economic tools with a huge influence on societies. Her remarks came during a discussion with the Master’s program students at Jordan Media Institute (JMI) under the title “Educational and Cultural Dimensions of Media”.<br />
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Najjar, who is the recipient of several awards for her contribution to education, stressed the importance of dialogue and respecting diversity in opinions, faiths and backgrounds in order to strengthen good citizenship as stipulated by the Constitution. Such an approach, she added would make members of society more empowered and capable of advancing nationalistic, humanitarian and moderate and centrist values upon which Jordan was established. She also highlighted the power of professional and ethical journalism as one of the pillars of nation building. <br />
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Najjar also addressed the concept of Media Literacy as a human right and its impact on young generations. She said that without media awareness, children will grow up blindfolded in a world polarized by conflicts and interests. She added that media literacy is an effective tool in spreading a culture of dialogue within communities, and helping students become active players in developing their communities. Therefore, Jordan has to review its system of education before the curriculum to keep up with the transformations in the world.<br />
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<span style="line-height:1.6em; white-space:pre-wrap">Najjar urged JMI students to believe in themselves and to lead the change despite the challenges and competition they might face, and to start with their own small media projects.</span><br />
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