91�鶹������Ʒ����

Media and information literacy (MIL) is an essential tool for people’s development, so that they can benefit from today’s information environment, mitigate the problems of potentially harmful content, and reinforce rights to information and freedom of expression.  

In Jordan, a major effort was directed towards policy and strategy development and implementation. UNESCO is currently supporting the government of Jordan in advancing, promoting, and implementing its national plan through technical assistance and capacity-building for MIL multi-stakeholders, and in partnership with the Jordan Media Institute, UNESCO is actively involved in providing media literacy for young people and the broader community in recognition of the distinct challenges of the current digital complex era.  

Throughout 2023 and beyond, UNESCO will continue to enhance the capacities of policymakers, educators, information and media professionals, youth organizations, and disadvantaged populations in this area, assisting the country to implement the national media and information literacy policies and strategies. 

Within the wider framework of its activities in support of the safety of journalists, 91�鶹������Ʒ���� paid particular attention to gender-based violence. One way to support women journalists in the exercise of their profession has been to build their capacities on physical and digital safety. In Jordan, and in partnership with the Arab Women Media Center, awareness was raised on the safety of women journalists, notably through workshops and online campaign. 

Starting in 2023, more attention will be granted to safety of women journalists through capacity-building sessions on online and offline risks and violence targeting journalists, media managers, and state authorities to provide swift and adequate assistance for women who experience online harassment.  

UNESCO is collaborating with the Judicial Council to strengthen capacities of the judicial actors to protect freedom of expression, access to information and other fundamental rights both online and offline, and to embed freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in the curricula of the judicial training institutes. Key resources were produced for judicial operators among with a global toolkit on international standards.  

Building on the above leverage to influence the judiciary, new capacity-building seminars are planned to take place in 2023 targeting 100 judges and prosecutors on international legal standards related to freedom of expression and safety of journalists.  

In the area of legal reform, 91�鶹������Ʒ���� provided detailed recommendations on reforming Access to Information Law, the Press and Publications Law, and the Audiovisual Media Law in past years. In 2022, focus was given to fostering coordination with the Coalition of Jordanian Human Rights Civil Society Organizations – HIMAM to take stock of previous successes and challenges in promoting the right of access to information in Jordan, and to make recommendations to make the ‘right to information’ law reform a priority.  

This collaboration has allowed to share efforts and experiences in promoting and monitoring the implementation of the existing law among civil society organizations and other actors, as well as to strengthen the momentum behind the national campaigns on law reform through greater networking among civil society organizations and other actors campaigning for the right to information, and to draft recommendations calling on the government, regulators, parliament and other actors to make the ‘right to information’ law reform a national priority.  

UNESCO and its partners will continue to take advantage of all opportunities to try to influence the government on issues regarding access to information.  

As part of its role in strengthening advocacy and awareness raising, UNESCO in Jordan supports national commemorations of World Radio Day (13 February); World Press Freedom Day (3 May); the International Day for Universal Access to Information (28 September); also, the Global Media and Information Literacy Week (24 to 31 October); and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (2 November). These events serve to create partnerships, launch new initiatives, and reinforce political commitment towards advancing media and information literacy, freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, access to information, and community media.  

Actions under above thematic area contributed to SDG 4 as it pertains to quality education for all, SDG 5 on gender equality, and SDG 16 relating to access to information and fundamental freedoms.