The Jordan Media Institute Inaugurated Under Patronage of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania

May 10, 2010

(Office of Her Majesty- Press Department- Amman) Under the patronage of Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah, the Jordan Media Institute (JMI), was inaugurated today.

The facility, which is the first of its kind in the region to provide in Arabic a Masters Program in journalism and new media , as well as journalism training programs, focuses on various journalistic skills and ethics.

During the ceremony attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, HRH Princess Rym Ali, a number of Ministers, Ambassadors, media personalities, private sector corporations, donors, and local and international organizations, Princess Rym explained the need for such an institute in today's media landscape, "We need a more systematic approach to journalistic training if we want to increase the number of those truly professional journalists in our region, who share a common concern that truth needs to be recognized and brought forward."

Princess Rym also talked about the JMI’s unique curriculum, which upholds international standards and practices in journalism while taking into account the cultural and social specificities of our region.

"The advanced degree our students obtain," HRH added, "provides objective recognition of the technical skill and moral responsibility that are the hallmarks of professional journalism."

Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Najah Abdullah, Dean of JMI, briefed the attendees about the institution and its future plans. She explained that the higher studies program, which is a one-year practical MA program in Journalism and New Media, is provided in coordination with the University of Jordan, and is taught in Arabic.

The MA program offers an array of courses such as reporting, writing skills, media law, and ethics. Training programs covers a wide variety of specializations.

A film showcasing media figures from the Arab World explaining the key role media plays on international and regional levels was also shown during the ceremony.

Touring the facility, Her Majesty Queen Rania, accompanied by HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, HRH Princess Rym Ali, Mr. Radi Alkhas, CEO of Jordan Media City and Chairman of Board of the JMI and JMI Dean Dr. Najah Abdullah, visited the newsroom, the audio control room, and the institute's library, where she talked with students about the different training programs the facility offers. Queen Rania also stressed the importance of graduating more professional journalists.

Her Majesty was briefed by Dr. Najah about the skills and technical knowledge students are acquiring.

JMI, founded by HRH Princess Rym Ali, is a non- profit institute which aims to develop the capacity of the media in the region. It is equipped with newsrooms and studios, which allows for a hands-on approach to learning production techniques on the very equipment they will later use as professionals.

For more information please visit: www.jmi.edu.jo