Jordanian media personalities visit Media Development Center

Jordanian journalist and radio personality Nabil Abu Obaid and media expert Essam Omari, accompanied by Raya Media Network journalist Shadi Zama’ri, visited the Media Development Center (MDC) at Birzeit University on February 3, 2018.

During their visit, the group explored possible channels of cooperation and partnership in future broadcast training courses with the MDC, as well as the exchange of expertise between Palestine and Jordan. The two sides also discussed the reality of media, especially broadcast media, in Jordan and Palestine and emphasized the importance of capacity building for young journalists.

MDC Monitoring & Evaluating Coordinator Emad Alasfr briefly outlined the National Initiative for Media Development, which the MDC is implementing with the cooperation of over 80 private and non-profit media organizations in Palestine. “The initiative has begun to bear fruit, showing positive results in legal development and professional training, as well as instilling more professionalism in the overall trends of the Palestinian media message.”

Project Manager Buthayna Alsemeiri; National Media Initiative Coordinator Duha Abuhijleh; Social Media Coordinator Akram Al-Jarere; and Media Research and Policy Coordinator Saleh Masharqeh presented an overview on the MDC’s training courses, facilities, and media policies, which it implements in cooperation with its partner institutions.

A documentary that detailed the academic and commercial services presented by the MDC – such as training courses, research papers and studies, and training on gender trends – was screened at the meeting. The documentary also highlighted the Radio and Broadcast studios, which can record and produce highly-demanding radio or TV shows.

The group praised the center’s sturdy infrastructure and training trends and affirmed its support for any future training courses in the future. “Media is developing in a parallel fashion in Palestine and Jordan, each country benefitting the other. And journalists, whether experienced or recently-graduated, are in constant need of development, both in skills and knowledge. This is what official media development agencies and civil society institutions should implement,” said the group.