The 鈥淵outh Empowerment鈥 project works to advance Media Information Literacy (MIL) as a holistic response to foster safe and ethical use, consumption and production of media and internet among youth in Jordan. Implemented by the UNESCO Amman office, with strong collaboration and generous funding from the European Union (EU), the project is being carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of State for Media Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the media community and civil society in Jordan.
This week, in partnership with Jordan Media Institute (JMI), UNESCO is offering a three-day training focused on MIL broadcasting. Nine participants from Yarmouk FM (Irbid) and Sawt Al Janoub (Ma鈥檃n) were invited to Amman with the goal of strengthening their MIL skills and working towards becoming mentors to students and volunteers at their respective radio stations.
Dr. Basim Tweissi, Dean of Jordan Media Institute, delivered opening remarks, thanking the European Union and UNESCO for their ongoing support and efforts focused on the promotion of freedom of expression. 鈥淢IL skills are more important now than ever, especially amidst the conflict we face in the Arab region鈥. Dr. Tweissi emphasized the strategic value of MIL, highlighting it as a priority of the current government and encouraging schools and universities to integrate MIL education and courses into their curriculum.
Ms. Cedric Neri, UNESCO associate project officer, welcomed participants, delivering a presentation summarizing the role of MIL freedom of expression and access to information and explaining why advancing MIL skills in Jordan remains a critical task. 鈥淭oday, the sheer abundance of media content provides us with increased opportunities to find information but we are confronted as well by misinformation or disinformation. MIL empowers citizens to understand the functions of media, critically evaluate content and make informed decisions as users and producers of information and media content鈥. Mr. Neri commended participants for their strong interest in promoting MIL.
Throughout 2019, the 鈥淵outh Empowerment鈥 project will be implemented across Irbid, Zarqa, Ma鈥檃n and Mafraq. The trainees at this week鈥檚 鈥淢IL broadcasting鈥 ranged from professors to staff members at two community radio stations, Yarmouk FM and Sawt al Janoub.
Ms. Nihad Jariri, JMI project officer, hopes that the training will work towards spreading MIL awareness through everyday radio work. Trainees will come together to form an editorial board and will return to their respective radio stations and pass on their MIL knowledge to 25 students and volunteers at each of the two affiliated universities. From this group of 50, ten will be selected, and the editorial board will supervise the work of these students, providing mentorship and support, and ensuring that they are producing high quality radio content aligned with the tenets of MIL.
This important initiative falls within UNESCO鈥檚 mandate of encouraging freedom of expression. UNESCO believes that free, independent and pluralistic media in print, broadcast and online are needed in order to ensure the free flow of ideas, optimize progress and build knowledge societies. The objectives of the 鈥榊outh Empowerment鈥 project align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically targeting SDG 16, which strives to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
