I have for some time wanted to do a longer piece on the state of Journalism in Jordan. We in the West stress Freedom of Press and there is surely a long way to go on that issue in this region. But the quality of journalism also needs to be discussed. Since I arrived in Jordan I have been taken aback by some of the stories that have been approved by the various editors to go to print without having been subject to normal journalistic procedures such as confronting first hand sources, getting statements from “victims” or just pure and simple checking of facts. Stories like McCains “Jordan Option“, Publicis involvement in “the Jordan Festival“, “Genpets” and “The Jesus Sandals” are examples of such kinds of journalism and of course an illustration of the fact that some of these stories are run or elaborated by people with personal or political agendas. Some are just plain bad journalism.
But while I am talking to myself about the state of the Press a high caliber journalist the BBC’s Tim Sebastian actually writes about it – from a slightly different angle. He has an op-ed “A gift from the King” in The International Herald Tribune today about Jordan and Journalism. His point of departure is His Majesty King Abdullah’s recent discussion with a number of editors from printed papers. What Tim Sebastian is arguing is basically that the international community has heard what have been said and now is time for action and more action, both from the authorities and from media and journalists. Please read the article yourself.
Tim Sebastian also makes a reference to the first Arab regional conference on investigative journalism that was held in Amman end of November. At the conference Sebastian gave a superb lecture on his experience as anchor of “Hard Talk” and “The Doha Debates” on BBC. But he complains about the lack of coverage the ARIJ conference as such got in Jordanian and regional press while at the same time he applauds the mere fact that such a conference could take place in the Middle East.
As participant in some of the events I can tell you that it was a great conference and it will be repeated as an annual event. Rana Sabbagh and Daoud Kuttab really did a splendid job in organizing the conference and investigative journalism is not something you just do. It demands skills, journalistic techniques and a certain mentality of confronting people and issues and this is what is brought to the journalists that join ARIJ. Seen from my position the coverage that we got was good and substantial both in Arabic and English. Of course as the general sponsor of the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism we on the Danish side would have loved even more coverage, but to get 200+ Arab journalists and media personalities together for discussion of investigative journalism in the Arab world was a huge success in itself. And it was definitely “a tribute to a small number of brave and single-minded reporters, who labor across the region under the constant threat of arrest or arbitrary detention” to quote Tim Sebastian.
December 13, 2008 at 02:45
Mr Ambassador,,with the current government we have don’t expect anything meaningful and constructive.if you read Human Rights Watch you will come to one conclusion torture is ordered by the king and his security intelligence chief, European country such like your must stop aids to Jordan and all countries that practice
,period .this is have been happening for long time in the name of war on terror and somebody must do it and your country is good starter.
December 14, 2008 at 11:23
I really have high hopes in the words of the king. It is funny how people don’t believe it when it is as direct and clear as it is.
December 15, 2008 at 01:49
observer,,go get life don’t keep fooling your self and please stop your nonsense, i linked the report of the Human rights Watch to honorable Ambassador ,you you didn’t bother to read it.Read man read before you give us your boring tedious and nonsense comments..
December 15, 2008 at 15:22
Ya mashkalgy, everyone is aware of the human rights reports, you didn’t bring anything new to the table. The Ambassador is discussing the situation of freedom of expression in Jordan and the future of it in respect to the King’s latest comments.
If you fail to bring yourself to blieve that something positive is happening in this country, then it is your problem. I chose otherwise, and I practice my freedom on my blog.
December 15, 2008 at 17:51
The change is coming but it takes time and edification.
December 15, 2008 at 19:20
“If you fail to bring yourself to blieve that something positive is happening in this country, then it is your problem.”
What is that all about Observer? something positive happening in Jordan ,you definitely live on a different planet,I like you to drive away from Rainbow street maybe To Zarka,Maan or Tafelaha may be you will “discover ” the positives ” or maybe go to Jabal Al Nadeef ,its not far away from the First Circle ,that should wake you up and maybe you will be able to pull your head out of the sand..
December 16, 2008 at 12:50
Ya mashkalgy, so you want me to drive to some poor areas in the country in order to prove your point that Jordan is not progressing forward? Is that the line of reasoning that you follow? If we have problems, then we are not moving forward?
I don’t need to go anywhere. Official statistics do help give everyone a better idea than individuals personal opinions.
December 17, 2008 at 04:46
I think you should go because if you don’t see it or experience it,you will never get to edge of the truth. There is no way in the world that you could find out the truth without talking to poor and the local ,it’s just simple logic to fellow when you plan to prepare to write research or you just want to bother to know, and as you know ,or do I have to prove for you that the poor are the majority in Jordan and since you only believe in statistics here is one for you from TRANSPERANCY ITERNATIONAL and that only the 2007 report, I suspect we have moved backward since 2007.
December 17, 2008 at 04:48
“Is that the line of reasoning that you follow? If we have problems, then we are not moving forward?”
Observer,, To undrestand or to do reaserch any consioius human being must talk to the locals and ask question and ineract with them ,other wise you are wasting your time to get some of the truth ,and stastics if you want to go the route ,lso tell us that Jordan is lacging behind maney countries
December 17, 2008 at 22:05
Mr Ambassador, obviously you praise a conference because it was organised by a Danish NGO. I do respect that NGO but I don’t respect their office in Amman. Maybe you should check some facts. The office? Rented from Daoud Kouttab’s father. Ms Sabbagh? Do some homework about the lack of credibility, decency and professionalism of this “lady”. As for Tim sebastian, I think he is a good journalist who came to the wong conference.
I admire Danemark, and I am sure you are full of good intentions, that is why I urge you to have a close look on the action of Arig in Jordna, financialy and otherwise.
December 18, 2008 at 12:11
Red Iris – The conference was organized by ARIJ. ARIJ is not a Danish NGO but a Jordanian. As I said I participated in the conference and it was very good – not just in my opinion but in the opinion of other participants whether Arab or foreign – so they told me. And I can assure you that whatever money from the Danish Government that is spend on the ARIJ project or any other project for that matter has to be accounted for according to very strict DANIDA (Danish Aid Agency) rules and regulations. As regards Ms. Rana Sabbagh you are entitled to your opinion – but I don’t share that. I appreciate her weekly column in Al Arab Al Yawm which I think is quite good journalism. I don’t think Tim Sebastian came to the wrong conference. If so I guess he would not have written his op-ed the way he did. Thank you for your kind words about my country
El Mashkalgy – Seen from my perspective – based in Jordan – things look a little bit different. You will know why if you read my posts on corruption and torture. But no doubt – there is room for progress.
The Observer – “Statistics are like lampposts: they are good to lean on, but they don’t shed much light.” Storm P – Danish writer.
December 18, 2008 at 15:03
Red Iris is wrong in the post. Daoud Kuttab’s father died three years ago in the US. The ARIJ office is rented from a local Jordanian company. Please get your information correctly RED IRIS
December 19, 2008 at 01:39
Ya mashkalgy, the question can also be: why is Jordan proceeding many countries in different matrices?
We prefer to see the empty half of the glass, no? We have no appreciation to whatever achievement of this country.
It was just in newspapers yesterday that our science school curriculum was awarded the best curriculum of science among the Arab countries. This is might be a small news, but I am sure you over look such news.
I should find time to investigate and research Jordan’s achievements in the past 10 years and write a post about it on my blog.
Mr. Ambassador, I think that statistics can shed some lights. They may not be always as true and accurate as we might believe they are, but they certainly more credible than personal observations.
December 19, 2008 at 10:23
Me Kuttab you know perfectly well that ARIJ rented offices owned by you and your father (rest his soul), so please don’t think we are stupid. I have participated inone of ARIJ programs before you cameonboard and I know exactly whose offices it was, spare us the lies
December 19, 2008 at 11:50
To Red Iris — allow me to correct a few wrong facts in your posted intervention:
a- Mr. Daoud Kuttab, ARIJ Chairman since 2007, has been on board since ARIJ began operations end 2005. Actually, he is one of eight Arab media professionals and academics in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, who saw the need for introducing professional investigative journalism into Arab news rooms. Based on the recommendations of these visionary professionals, ARIJ was conceived with support from the Dainish Parliament.
b- the office of ARIJ is rented from Mr. Hussein Attiyeh.
c- Mr. Rana Sabbagh, the executive director of ARIJ, or the “Lady” as you refer to her in yoru posted comment, is a Jordanian career journalist, columnist and media trainer with 24 years of experience in print journalism throughout the Arab world. A former chief editor of the Jordan Times newspaper (1999-2001) becoming the first Arab female journalist in the history of the Levant to run a daily political newspaper. She was also corresspondent for Reuters International News Agency in Jordan, before moving on to become an editor/correspondent in the Dubai-based Reuters Regional Office covering the six GCC countries, Iran and Yemen. (1987-1997). She was one of eight Jordanian editors who helped establish Jordan’s newest newspaper, Al Ghad (2003-2004). In addition to her post at ARIJ, she is the Jordan correspondent for The Times (of London), a regular columnist and feature writer for the London-based Arabic newspaper Al-Hayat, and a weekly columnist at Jordan’s independent daily Al-Arab Al Yawm. She also serves as an active member of various civil society and media advocacy groups, and is a consultant trainer for Reuter Foundation. So, with such an impressive CV, and a wealth of proessional experience, I cannot see how you can question “her lack of redibility, decency and professionalism”.
thank you, Mr. Diplomat, for printing my reply.
December 19, 2008 at 20:30
Red Iris BE Silent ! silence is better when you have nothing to say .You can attack people easily but to create a conference on investigative reporting and to commit to a cause is hard work .ARIJ is hard good and useful work whether you vow for its founders or not. RANA and DAOUD are honorable and professional people ,they certainly deserve respect and gratitude after their great contribution to Arab journalism
December 27, 2008 at 01:03
If there was in Jordan 10 journalists with the professionalism and integrity of Daoud Kuttab and Rana Sabbagh this profession will be in an excellent condition. I am sure Red Iris’s comments are based on ideological and political differences which are OK, but attacking people’s integrity and professional is not an ethical way of argument.
November 22, 2009 at 08:17
[...] brings me to ARIJ. Last year we celebrated the first ARIJ conference for Investigative Journalism in the Arab region. It was a milestone and rightly praised by Tim Sebastian in an article in New York Times. This year [...]