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26 Nov 2013
<p>Tuesday 26/11/2013<br />
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As part of his continuous efforts to support and promote a culture of debate and free speech, Tim Sebastian, the renowned British journalist, visited the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) accompanied by Mai El Sherbiny, a popular Egyptian TV presenter and news anchor, and gave a lecture to JMI’s Masters students highlighting his years of experience as a journalist as well as his debate moderating skills.<br />
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Sebastian underlined the role of journalism in bringing about change and connecting the different levels of society, adding that a journalist has a guardian role in his society, one which entrusts him or her with a heavy responsibility. He noted that there are many examples of journalists in the Arab world who succeeded in pushing the boundaries in order to reveal the truth.<br />
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Sebastian also discussed the concept of free debate and the significant role it plays in enhancing freedom of speech, expanding knowledge and spreading awareness in the community on the most pressing local and global issues. “Free debate is the way towards change, although this change does not happen overnight. Stepping forward is what we aim to achieve," he added. “Hard work, research, preparation and fact finding are the most important tools for journalists who seek professionalism. Documented facts are the backbone of journalism," Sebastian stressed.<br />
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Tim Sebastian, who holds a BA in Modern Languages from Oxford University and the author of eight novels, worked as a journalist for BBC Television and reported from more than 25 countries over a 30-year period. He is best known for being the first host of the British Broadcast Corporation’s (BBC)’s flagship interview programme “Hardtalk”, for which he was twice named “Interviewer of the Year” by the Royal Television Society. Sebastian also won several awards in the field of media and journalism.<br />
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Following the political and social unrest in Egypt and Tunisia in early 2011, Tim founded the “Doha Debates” and the “New Arab Debates”. These debates are currently held in Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan.</p>
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