Amman – “Ten years have passed and JMI remains committed to fulfilling its media vision and to progressing tirelessly and without fear.” With these words, Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali, founder of the Jordan Media Institute (JMI), opened the annual breakfast meeting, which was attended by students of the Master's program in Journalism and New Media, the teaching staff, JMI Dean Dr Basim Tweissi and JMI board members Ms. Suzanne Afanah and Ms. Hiam Al-Salem.
HRH Princess Rym commended the distinguished results achieved by the Institute since the graduation of its first batch of students ten years ago, noting that “the prevailing need for professional journalists is more relevant than ever, regardless of the general misconception about modern technology having a negative impact on the profession. In fact, what we currently witness of vague media coverage along with the increasing volume of emerging rumors indicate the pressing need to continue with our work towards empowering professional journalism that complies with ethics and principles."
On the issues regarding technology and new media, HRH Princess Rym stressed that man creates technological progress; therefore, the future of journalism depends on journalists, not technology. “With analysis and reasoning, a professional media is needed in all aspects of life, so that it can be further relied upon when taking any decision, no matter how simple."
In the open discussion with the students, HRH Princess Rym underlined that JMI continues to develop and enhance its working mechanism and its teaching curricula; “JMI depends on its students and on their level of professionalism as they, throughout their professional career, become distinguished ambassadors of the Institute itself,” HRH Princess Rym added.
HRH Princess Rym also spoke of the importance of investigative reporting and its role in revealing facts and uncovering the truth, emphasizing that every field of journalism requires an amount of investigation. “The change that is currently taking over various fields, including media, doesn't affect the fundamental values and principles that guard journalistic professionalism and objectivity,” HRH Princess Rym added.