Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02AMMAN5966
2002-10-15 12:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

PROGRAM REQUEST: PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE

Tags:  SCUL PROP JO 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005966 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARN, NEA/PPD, IIP/T/GIC-GSTEELE, IIP/T/PS
- TERRY SCOTT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL PROP JO
SUBJECT: PROGRAM REQUEST: PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE
JORDANIAN MEDIA

REF: AMMAN 07718 99, AMMAN 05986 00, AMMAN 07718 01

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 005966

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARN, NEA/PPD, IIP/T/GIC-GSTEELE, IIP/T/PS
- TERRY SCOTT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL PROP JO
SUBJECT: PROGRAM REQUEST: PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE
JORDANIAN MEDIA

REF: AMMAN 07718 99, AMMAN 05986 00, AMMAN 07718 01


1. This is an action request for IIP. See para 6


2. In view of the success to date of Embassy Amman's
"Media Professionalization Program," which has had a
visible impact on the quality of the work of a number
of Jordanian journalists, Amman seeks the Department's
assistance in continuing the program and developing a
new series of workshops for FY 2003. Proposed workshop
topics are intended to raise the professional standard
of Jordanian journalists and serve mission objectives
by encouraging continued engagement with local media.


3. Justification: more than ten years into its
declared process of democratization, Jordan has not yet
resolved the classic dilemma: how to allow a greater
degree of media freedom while maintaining control in an
often unpredictable political environment. During the
past year alone the government enacted a new emergency
amendment to the press and publications law, created
then froze the Higher Media Council, and announced then
abandoned plans to eliminate the Ministry Of
Information. All this reflects the importance and
timeliness of the issue of media freedom in Jordan.
But real progress towards press freedom is only
possible in the context of a skilled and responsible
press. Jordan's journalists suffer from low pay and
poor command of English, which prevent them from
accessing available resources for research and
reporting, a lack of relevant training and education,
and little to no experience of international standards
of reporting.


4. PA Amman plans to conduct a series of three
speaker/specialist programs, each lasting approximately
3-4 days. The workshops would take place during the
period December 2002-April 2003. The target audience
is working mid-career or junior Jordanian journalists.
American workshop leaders would be accomplished
journalists with field experience rather than pure
academics. We have found it effective to locate high
caliber specialists and use translation rather than
rely on a limited pool of Arabic speaking specialists,
though a qualified Arabic speaker would always be
welcome.


5. Specific program topics: post would like to
propose the following topics for the three programs.
IIP project officer and post program officer can expand
on the titles together via e-mail.

-- Feature/ analytical writing.
Mission objective: Promoting better analytical skills,
and hence a more accurate and balanced presentation of
U.S. policies.
Skills: Learning the difference between analysis and
opinion writing. How to research a feature article,
with emphasis on understanding the need for various
viewpoints in developing an accurate picture of the
subject matter. The difference between writing a news
report, an analytical article, and an opinion piece.
Desired date: December 2002

-- Credibility in reporting
Mission objective: promoting higher professional
standards in journalism.
Skills: the need to check and double-check information,
quoting sources accurately, respecting the difference
between information given on the record, off the
record, or on background, resisting the temptation to
insert subjective opinion in a straight reporting piece
when addressing questions to an interviewee.
Desired date: February 2003

-- Covering Elections.
Mission objective: promoting democracy.
Skills: polling, analyzing election issues, and
analyzing candidates' and parties' election strategies.
Note: This workshop would be particularly effective in
April 2003, since Jordan has officially announced that
parliamentary elections would be held in Spring 2003,
which it defined as extending till the end of June.
Desired date: April 2003


6. Post seeks assistance in identifying speakers,
establishing initial contact with them, and arranging
the logistics of their visit to Amman. We welcome
arranging these programs in coordination with other
posts in the region to reduce costs to individual
posts. Materials are extremely important for the kind
of participatory workshops envisioned. When chosen,
speakers/specialists should be asked to forward to PA
select handout materials and books for use in their
sessions (materials available electronically can be
downloaded and prepared locally at post). Post-
translated and produced materials can also be made
available to other posts, if desired.


7. Program officer is: Information Officer Justin
Siberell. Contact information: (Tel.) 962-6-592-0101
x2618; (Fax) 962-6-5928932; (E-mail)
jsiberell@pd.state.gov
Post thanks IIP in advance. GNEHM