UNESCO Office in Amman

The opening up and liberalization of the media scene in Jordan over the past 15 years has lead to a growth of news outlets and has effected positive change on the information environment. Today seven daily newspapers and 12 weekly newspapers are published and the influence of new media is increasing. News websites are steadily increasing their scope and a modest blogsphere is unfolding.

Jordan has an enabling media environment conducive to universal access to information and knowledge. However, in the past few years the media legislative climate in Jordan has changed. The Press & Publication law was amended and the Higher Council for Media and the Jordan Media Center were disbanded. Legal uncertainty and restrictions affect the quality of the media and journalists in their daily work.

Professional media institutions and a free press ensure the sharing of information and ideas, they are important requirements for the free flow of information, access to information and provide a platform for strengthening good governance.

In cooperation with local media NGOs, media networks and training institutions such as the Center for Defending Journalists (CDFJ), the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), the Arab Women Media Centre (AWMC) the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) and the Ministry for Media Affairs and Communications and others, UNESCO Amman implements research, capacity building and awareness raising activities with the following priorities:

• Legal awareness, freedom of expression and access to information in Jordan
• Enhancement of the curriculum in media training institutions and universities
• Human rights and gender sensitive reporting, marginalized groups and people with disabilities
• Media communication for sustainable development and environmental issues
  
• Archiving and digitalization of historical audiovisual material