Amman – The Jordan Media Institute (JMI) in cooperation with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) announced the 2018 winners of the "Child Rights Media Award" in the categories of print, electronic news websites; radio and podcast as well as TV, video and multimedia reports.
Jordanian Minister of State for Media Affairs, Jumana Ghuneimat, attended the "Enhancing the Quality of Reporting on Child Right & Child Protection Issues" project’s closing ceremony where she handed out the awards.
In the "Print Report" category, Muna Abu Hammour of Alghad newspaper received first place for her "Children with Cleft Lip: Marginalization, Modest Medical Services" report. Second place was awarded to Tala Ayoub of Alrai Newspaper for her "Specialized Psychiatric Care for Jordanian Children; Almost Absent" feature story.
As for the "Online Investigative Report" category, the first place was awarded to Ansar Abu Fara of Al-Araby Al-Jadeed for the report entitled: "Divorce of Jordanian Minors, Marital Life Ends Before It Starts". Second place was earned by Barakat Zyood of Jordan News Agency (Petra) for his report "Iskander: Begging Leads Child to His Death Under Wheels of Two Cars".
In the "TV, Video and Multimedia" category, Hiam Farahin of Roya TV received the first place for her "Children Cool Their Bodies with Water, Leave Their Mothers’ Hearts Scorched" report. Second place went to Enas Alkayed of Jordan TV for her "Community Support Center - Safe Environment" report.
The radio station of the University of Jordan (JU FM) claimed both awards in the “Radio and Podcast” category where first place was granted to Louay Ahmed for his "Beggars Accompanied by Children" report and second place to Ismail Abu Shkhaidem for his "School Toilets" report.
During the event, Ghuneimat emphasized the importance of intensifying all efforts across various media outlets in order to further improve the content of reports that tackle child-related issues and to reinforce this specific type of journalism which affects a significant proportion of our society.
Ghuneimat also stressed on the importance of boosting the skills and abilities of journalists in order to raise the margin of responsible journalism that adheres to ethical practices and takes children’s protection and rights fully into account. She added that the government recognizes the prominence of childcare development and considers expanding kindergartens in schools a priority. The government fully understands the importance of developing the personality of children and youth as well as enhancing their knowledge of their rights and duties, Ghuneimat concluded.
JMI Dean. Dr. Basim Tweissi, pointed out that children, teenagers and youth are increasingly exposed to harmful media content, especially in light of the recent technology and digital media outlets – something that puts greater responsibility on media, family and the public in general.
Tweissi affirmed that this project came as a result of a mutual recognition of a pressing need for improving the quality of media reports that fully incorporates the rights and protection of children, stressing that JMI’s commitment to build upon the outcomes of this project.
UNICEF Jordan representative, Robert Jenkins, affirmed his organization’s faith in the key roles fulfilled by journalism and media in regards to protecting children. He also spoke of the importance of enhancing journalists’ abilities to ensure that professional and ethical standards are maintained when reporting on children.
UNICEF looks forward to strengthening its partnership with media professionals, journalists and JMI in order to further protect the rights of children, Jenkins added.
JMI Projects Manager, Nihad Jariri, explained that steps taken by JMI in preparing its educational curriculum stem from the overall realization that media-reform begins with educational institutions.
Jariri added that the results of the "Assessment Report of Journalistic Practices" further confirms the importance of education – as numbers show that about 58% of journalists have poor or less than satisfactory knowledge about children in armed groups, 40% have poor or less than satisfactory knowledge about child labor and early marriage, noting that only 25% attended a training related to the subject of child protection.
Aimed at encouraging journalists to improve the quality of reports addressing children’s rights, the “Child Rights Media Award” intends to positively impact society, reduce violence against children and build a child friendly culture in Jordan.
The project, which lasted for one year, included 32 journalists who were trained on the subject of child rights within two stages: General Training and Advanced Training.
The project also involved supervising and following up with a total of 16 trainees who focused on the issue of violence against children, a subject which will be integrated in the study plan of JMI’s Master's degree.
In addition, a total of 12 seminars were conducted for the purpose of raising awareness about child issues. These were attended by a total of 375 journalists, experts and participants. The launch of "Makani" page also took place. The page is dedicated to journalists who are interested in reporting on child-related issues.