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19 Sep 2016
<div style="text-align: justify;">The Jordan Media Institute (JMI) today, Saturday, issued its first report on the results of monitoring the coverage of Jordanian media of the parliamentary elections. The report covers the stage of candidate registration and election advertisement, which started on the first day of candidate registration, and the launch of election campaigns, between 16 and 25 August.<br />
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In a press release, the JMI said that three other reports would be issued successively to monitor media election coverage within a timeframe that reflects progress in the period of election campaigning. The second report will cover the period from 26 August 2016 until the morning of the day of election silence on 19 September 2016. The third report will cover the period from the morning of 19 September 2016 until 27 September 2016; it includes coverage of the Election Day and the results. Afterward, a general final report will be issued, summing up all the details of the monitoring process and its results.<br />
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The report adopted the methodology of quantitative and qualitative monitoring. The monitoring sample included 20 media outlets, based on scientific principles and standards, which take into consideration the differences in ownership patterns (public or government, private, and community), the diversity of the pattern of editorial policies and their position toward the executive power, the pattern of the target audience, and the extent of media circulation and penetration. <br />
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The sample included four daily newspapers, which are Al Rai, Al Dustour, Al Ghad, and Al Sabeel. Four radios were selected, which are Jordan Radio (Main Program), Hayat FM, Al Balad, and Sawt Al Janub. Four TV channels were selected, including Jordan's state-run TV, Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya, Al Yarmouk, and Roya. Eight news sites, representing the electronic press, were selected: Ammon, Khaberni, Saraya, Al Wakeel, Hala News, Jfra News, Al Bosala, and Garaa News.<br />
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The report said that the monitoring covered 3,183 news and advertising items in all monitored media, which were divided into 1,845 news items (59.1%), 723 opinion pieces (23.2%), 19 replies and corrections (0.6%), and 534 election advertising items (17.1%).<br />
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According to the report, the results of the monitoring showed that news items were the format used the most in the monitored media, totaling 1,845 items (59.1%) of the media coverage in the printed press, TV, radios, and electronic press.<br />
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The report said that the printed press ranked first (79%) in terms of the use of news items. The electronic press came second (69.3%), followed by radio stations in third place (41%) and TV in fourth place (16.9%).<br />
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The repeated opinion pieces that were monitored totaled 723 (23.2%). TVs ranked first (29%), followed by radio stations in second place (25%), the printed press in third place (19%), and then the electronic press (17.6%).<br />
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The number of advertising items totaled 534 (17.1%). TV ranked first (52%), followed by radio stations (14%), and then the electronic press (13%). The share of the printed press was at its lowest level as it only received 1% of election advertisement. This shows the continuing crisis of the printed press, which did not receive the traditional share of election advertisement that it gets every election season. <br />
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<strong>First: Volume of Election Coverage </strong><br />
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The report said that the media that covered the elections the most, according to the subjects of coverage, the space designated for elections, and the measurement unit for every media outlet, was the printed press in the first 10 days covered by this report, with a total of 1,479 items; followed by TVs, 756 items; then the electronic press, 541 items; and then radio stations, 407 items.<br />
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The report pointed out that the total space of coverage in the printed press was 43,732 square centimeters, the highest of which was in Al Dustour (12,146 square centimeters), while the lowest was in Al Sabeel (8,969 square centimeters). TV election coverage broadcast hours were higher than those of radio stations. TV broadcast hours that were monitored on the four televisions totaled 29 hours, 35 minutes, and 25 seconds. The highest was on Roya TV, with a total of 11 hours, and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya, totaling 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 25 seconds. During the total broadcast hours, 357 repeated media items were broadcast and disseminated, the highest was on Roya TV (37%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya TV (10%).<br />
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According to the report, radio broadcast hours of election-related material included in the monitoring sample totaled 18 hours, 1 minute, and 56 seconds. The highest was on Sawt Al Janub (6 hours and 14 minutes), accounting for 35%. The lowest was on Hayat FM (1 hour, 18 minutes, and 56 seconds), accounting for 7%. During the coverage hours, 351 items were broadcast. The highest was on Jordan Radio (43%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM (8%).<br />
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According to the report, the space of coverage in the electronic press (per wordage) was 110,155 words. The highest was on Saraya (26%), with 28,792 words, and the lowest was on Jfra News (7%), with 7,929 words. During the coverage, 426 items were published. The highest was on Saraya (114 items), accounting for 27%, in terms of subjects and items, and the lowest was on Jfra News and Garaa News (21 items for each), together accounting for 5%.<br />
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<strong>Printed Press</strong><br />
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The report said that the interests of the media outlets that were monitored differed in terms of priority issues. Procedures for registering candidates and electoral lists ranked first in terms of priority in the printed press (19.4%). The highest was in Al Ghad (15.6%), and the lowest was in Al Dustour (7.3%).<br />
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The activities of candidates ranked second (13.5%). The highest was in Al Ghad (24.3%), and the lowest was in Al Rai (8.6%). Awareness-raising and election education ranked third (11.9%). The highest was in Al Rai (23.2%), and the lowest in Al Sabeel (11.1%). Interest in election-related logistical and administrative actions ranked fourth (11.6%). The highest was in Al Sabeel (23.7%), and the lowest was in Al Rai (5.8%). Interest in general election participation ranked fifth (8.6%). The highest was in Al Dustour (35.8%), and the lowest in Al Sabeel (1.4%).<br />
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The results of the monitoring revealed that the most important political actor in the coverage of the printed press was experts and specialists. They ranked first (21%). The highest was in Al Ghad (25.1%), and the lowest was in Al Sabeel (7.4%). They were ahead of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), which ranked second in the printed press (19.9%). The highest was in Al Sabeel (12.2%), and the lowest was in Al Rai (10.6%). Lists and blocs ranked third (17.7%). The highest was in Al Sabeel (18.2%), and the lowest was in Al Dustour (9.6%). Civil society organizations ranked fourth (14.3%). The highest was in Al Ghad (22.7%), and the lowest was in Al Sabeel (10.5%). The government ranked fifth (8.3%). The highest was in Al Dustour (33.5%), and the lowest was in Al Sabeel (8.7%).<br />
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On coverage trends in the printed press in terms of neutrality and negative and positive coverage, the report said that neutrality in the printed press ranked first (48.6%). The highest was in Al Ghad (24.3%), and the lowest was in Al Dustour (11.4%). <br />
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The general percentage of positive coverage was 28.2%. The highest was in Al Dustour (19.1%), and the lowest was in Al Ghad (5.8%). The general percentage of negative coverage in the printed press was 22.1%. The highest was in Al Dustour (20.7%), and the lowest was in Al Sabeel (9.6%).<br />
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In terms of balance in the printed press, the report said that the general percentage of dependence on one source or one opinion in coverage of the printed press was 72.5%. The highest was in Al Ghad (20.3%), and the lowest was in Al Sabeel (10.9%). The general percentage of dependence on two sources or more or presenting two opinions or more in the printed press totaled 11.1%. The highest was in Al Sabeel (14.7%), and the lowest was in Al Dustour (5.9%).<br />
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On the geographic identity of the coverage and general national issues, the report said that the printed press ranked third after radio and TV channels in terms of interest in general national issues (61.6%). The highest was in Al Dustour (18.7%).<br />
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The report confirmed that the monitored media showed varying interest in covering election news in the governorates. It noted that the results of the monitoring showed that the capital, Amman, remained the governorate that received the most attention by the media although other governorates were ahead of it in view of the nature and place of issuance of the media outlets. The report confirmed that the interest of the printed press in covering the governorates was little. The Bedouin constituencies (north, south, and center) received the least attention by a very low percentage (0.4%), followed by Mafraq governorate (0.8%).<br />
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Concerning gender, which refers to the active efforts of men and women in producing media content in the election coverage, the JMI report said that the results of the monitoring revealed a higher share for men in all media. The share of men in the printed press was three times higher than that of women (61.9%). The highest was in Al Dustour (17.3%), and the lowest was in Al Sabeel (10.9%).<br />
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The report confirmed that women remained at the bottom of the scale of priorities of election coverage in being present in the media as producers of media content or a source of it. They received the lowest percentage in the printed press (6.1%). The highest was in Al Ghad (22.7%), and the lowest was in Al Sabeel (5.5%). Mixed items that had men and women in the printed press totaled 20.6%. The highest was in Al Rai (19.7%), and the lowest was in Al Dustour (7.8%).<br />
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<strong>Radios</strong><br />
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The JMI report revealed that the IEC media campaign ranked fourth in terms of subjects and issues that the four monitored radios showed interest in (27.9%). The highest was on Jordan Radio (51.6%), and the lowest was on Sawt Al Janub Radio and Al Balad Radio (4.3% for each). Awareness-raising and election education came second (26.5%). The highest was on Sawt Al Janub Radio (13.9%), and the lowest was on Al Balad and Hayat FM.<br />
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The report said that the activities of candidates ranked third (10.8%). The highest was on Sawt Al Janub Radio (6.3%), and the lowest was on Jordan Radio (2.5%). Women quota affairs came fourth (9.1%). The highest was on Al Balad Radio (13.4%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM. Interest in procedures of registration of candidates and electoral lists came fifth (8.5%). The highest was on Hayat FM (2.6%), and the lowest was on Jordan Radio (0.2%).<br />
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The report pointed out that the IEC was the key political actor in radio coverage (43.6%). The highest was on Jordan Radio (14%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM (2.4%). Experts and specialists came second (19.1%). The highest was on Sawt Al Janub Radio (9.8%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM and Al Balad Radio (0.2% for each).<br />
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According to the report, the government ranked third (10.8%). The highest was on Al Balad Radio (10.4%), and the lowest was on Sawt Al Janub Radio (1.1%). It was followed by civil society organizations (8.3%). The highest was on Sawt Al Janub Radio (5.5%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM (0.0%). Electoral lists and blocs came fifth (4%). The highest was on Al Balad Radio (1.5%), and the lowest on Hayat FM.<br />
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The report showed that the general percentage of neutral coverage on radios was higher than the printed press and TV channels. General neutral items on radios totaled 52.7%. The highest was on Jordan Radio (9.7%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM (1.3%). The general percentage of positive coverage on radios totaled 33.9%. The highest was on Sawt Al Janub Radio (6.5%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM (1.3%). Meanwhile, the general percentage of negative coverage on radios was 13.4%. The highest was on Sawt Al Janub Radio (4.7%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM (0.2%).<br />
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The report said that the general percentage of items that depended on one source or presented one opinion totaled 66.4%. The highest was on Sawt Al Janub Radio (5.8%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM (1.6%). Meanwhile, the general percentage of items that depended on two sources or that presented two opinions or more totaled 5.7%. The highest was on Jordan Radio (2.9%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM (0.0%).<br />
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The items that could only afford one source or one opinion totaled 24.5%, all of which belonged to Jordan Radio (36.3%). The general percentage of items that did not depend on any source totaled 3.4%, all of which belonged to Sawt Al Janub Radio.<br />
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The report revealed that radios were ahead of other media in interest in covering national issues (73.2%). The highest was on Jordan Radio (8.1%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM (1.5%).<br />
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The report observed that the main reason behind the significant weakness in the coverage of the monitored radios of the elections in the governorates is that they are local radios with the exception of Jordan Radio, which broadcast a total of 152 election-related items that concern the governorates, out of which 134 items were related to general national issues. Meanwhile, it broadcast 18 items only for all the governorates, including four items for the capital, Amman.<br />
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The report added that the rest of the governorates in the Kingdom received very low coverage percentages. Coverage of election activity in six governorates was zero (0.0%). These are the governorates of Aqaba, Jerash, Al-Balqa, Al-Zarqa, Ajloun, and Al-Tafileh. <br />
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On the presence of gender in radio coverage, the report said that the general percentage of the share of men in radios totaled 75.5%. The highest was on Jordan Radio (8.1%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM and Al Balad (1.6% for each). The presence of women on radio stations was 8%. The highest was on Sawt Al Janub Radio (8%), and the lowest was on Hayat FM and Jordan Radio.<br />
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<strong>TV Channels</strong><br />
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On the priority of subjects and issues in election coverage on TV channels, the report said that procedures of registration of candidates and electoral lists ranked first (26%). The highest was on Roya TV (5.9%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya TV (0.5%). Awareness-raising and election education came second (12.9%). The highest was on Jordan TV (6.6%), and the lowest was on Al Yarmouk TV (2.1%). The report added that general election participation came fourth on TV channels (12.3%). The highest was on Jordan TV (7.4%), and the lowest was on Al Yarmouk TV (3.3%). Fairness of the elections came fifth (6.4%). The highest was on Jordan TV (10%), and the lowest was on Al Yarmouk TV (0.0%).<br />
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The report indicated that the IEC ranked first in terms of the chief political actor in the coverage of TV channels of the elections (40.3%). The highest was on Jordan TV (10.5%) and the lowest was on Al Yarmouk TV and Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya TV (2.2% for each). This was followed by news of electoral lists and blocs (17.9%). The highest was on Al Yarmouk TV (6.4%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya TV (0.0%). Voters came third (9.5%). The highest was on Jordan TV (12.1%), and the lowest was on Al Yarmouk TV (2.6%). The activities of election observers came fourth (7%). The highest was on Roya TV (16.2%), and the lowest was on Jordan TV and Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya (4% for each). Experts and specialists came fifth (5.9%). The highest was on Roya TV (3.6%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya. <br />
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On trends of neutrality in TV coverage, the report said that neutrality in election coverage came second on TV channels (28%). The highest was on Roya TV (4.2%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya (0.8%). Meanwhile, the general percentage of positive coverage on TV channels totaled 51.5%. The highest was on Jordan TV (8.5%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya (1.7%). The general percentage of negative coverage on TV channels totaled 11.8%. The highest was on Roya TV (2.8%), and the lowest was on Jordan TV (0.4%).<br />
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On balance in election coverage on TV channels, the report revealed that the general percentage of dependence on one source or presenting one opinion totaled 47.3%. The highest was on Roya TV (3.8%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya (1%). The general percentage of dependence on two sources or presenting two opinions or more totaled 41.5%. The highest was on Roya TV (13.7%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya (2.8%). The coverage that could only afford one source or one opinion was generally low, totaling 6.7%. The highest was on Jordan TV (7.5%), and the lowest was on Al Yarmouk TV (0.6%). The general percentage of topics that did not depend on any sources on TV channels totaled 4.5%. The highest was on Roya TV and Al Yarmouk TV (2.8% as a common percentage for both channels), and the lowest was on Jordan TV and Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya (0.0% for each).<br />
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On the interest of TV channels in general national issues, the report said that these issues ranked second after radios (67.8%). The highest was on Roya TV (7%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya (2%).<br />
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The report observed that the coverage of election activities on TV channels in the governorates reflected a clear disparity. While the capital, Amman, had the largest share of the coverage, the other governorates received very low coverage, which is absolutely not commensurate with the election activities witnessed in these governorates. This means that TV channels focus in their coverage on the capital and neglect the other governorates. <br />
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According to the monitoring results, state-run Jordan TV was the only one that showed interest in covering the elections in the governorates. The other channels that were monitored focused only on the capital, Amman.<br />
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On gender and its impact on the media content on TV channels, the report revealed that the presence of men on TV channels resembled that on radio stations. It was 75.6% on TV channels. The highest was on Roya TV (5.8%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya (1.9%). Also, the presence of women on TV channels was the lowest (4.5%). The highest was on Roya TV (6.7%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya. The percentage of TV items in which men and women appeared together was 16.8%. The highest was on Roya TV (5.3%), and the lowest was on Al Haqiqa Al Dawliya (0.6%).<br />
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<strong>Electronic Press</strong><br />
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The report revealed that the majority of electronic sites were not interested in most subjects and issues that have a direct impact on the electoral process and that are followed by the monitoring team, such as electoral money, with the exception of three sites (Saraya, Khaberni, and Ammon). Besides, there is a clear drop in the interest of these sites in issues related to general political positions, election boycott, election fairness, election platforms, election results, the IEC media campaign, minority rights, women quota, etc. <br />
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The report indicated that electronic sites primarily showed interest in the procedures of registration of candidates and electoral lists (31%). The highest was on Garaa News (58.8%), and the lowest was on Al Wakeel (14.3%). Then, they showed interest in election-related logistical and administrative actions (14%). The highest was on Hala News (43.1%), and the lowest was on Ammon (3.4%). Activities of candidates came third (10%). The highest was on Khaberni (18.8%), and the lowest was on Garaa News and Jfra News. <br />
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The report added that election violations and other election affairs came fourth (40%). The highest was on Al Bosala (12.3%), and the lowest was on Garaa News (2.9%). The site that showed interest the most in other election affairs was Al Wakeel (14.3%), and the lowest was Garaa News.<br />
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The political actor that was present the most in the electronic press was the IEC (30%). The highest was on Hala News (56.9%), and the lowest was on Khaberni (17.4%). Electoral lists and blocs came second (28%). The highest was on Khaberni (52.2%), and the lowest was on Al Wakeel (9.5%).<br />
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On coverage trends in the electronic press, the report said that neutral coverage came second in the electronic press (31%). The highest was on Jfra News (47.6%), and the lowest was on Al Wakeel site (23.8%). Meanwhile, the general percentage of positive coverage in the electronic press was 37%. The highest was on Hala News (47%), and the lowest was on Al Wakeel and Jfra News (28.6% for each). The general percentage of negative coverage in the electronic press was 28%. The highest was on Al Wakeel (47.6%), and the lowest was on Garaa News (17.6%).<br />
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On balance in the electronic press, the report said that the general percentage of items that depended on one source or presentation of one opinion totaled 64.7%. The lowest was on Hala News (27.5%). The general percentage of dependence on two sources or presenting two opinions or more in the electronic press was 19%. The highest was on Al Wakeel (38.1%), and the lowest was on Khaberni (11.6%). The general percentage of topics that could only afford one source or one opinion was 12%. The highest was on Al Wakeel (28.6%), and the lowest was on Saraya and Garaa News (0.0% for each). The general percentage of items that did not depend on any source was 22%. The highest was on Khaberni (31.9%), and the lowest was on Al Wakeel.<br />
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On general national issues, the report said that the electronic press came fourth in terms of interest in general national issues (57%). The highest was on Garaa News (82.4%), and the lowest was on Jfra News (33.3%). <br />
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On the interest of the electronic press in election coverage in the governorates, the report revealed that the capital, Amman, had the largest share of coverage of the electronic press (25%). The highest was on Jfra News (57.1%), and the lowest was on Garaa News (2.9%).<br />
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The report observed that the interest of the electronic press in the rest of the governorates remained at its lowest level as most of them did not receive broad, or even acceptable, coverage compared with the capital, Amman. Most of the governorates only had one item, while some did not have any coverage at all, such as the governorate of Aqaba. This means that the interest of the electronic press was confined to the capital, perhaps because all the electronic sites that were monitored are based in the capital, Amman.<br />
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On gender issues and the contribution of men and women to the production of media content in the electronic press, the report said that women continued to suffer from clear discrimination in the coverage of the electronic press of the parliamentary elections compared with men. Men had the highest percentage of presence (51%). The highest was on Jfra News (66.7%), and the lowest was on Al Wakeel (23.8%). Meanwhile, women had the lowest percentage of presence in the electronic press compared with the interest that women received in the printed press and on radios and TV channels. The general percentage of women presence in the electronic press was 7%. The highest was on Al Bosala (17.5%), and the lowest was on Garaa News. </div>