Jordan
In Jordan, IMS works to support media reform and strengthen independent media in an effort to increase public access to information. IMS also encourages professional development of individual journalists to increase investigative skills, online media capabilities and infrastructure for community-based media.Archive
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Jordanian community radio gives a voice to those overlooked
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Broadcasting programmes made for and by youth and people with disabilities, the IMS-supported Farah Al-Nas radio station has had tremendous success over the past few years. IMS recently visited the radio in Amman
With a vision to involve youth and people with disabilities in the democratic processes in Jordan, Farah Al-Nas together with local radio stations in the areas of Maan and Irbid has spent the past year reaching out to the marginalised groups in society with the IMS-supported project "Your Voice, Your Choice".
Focusing on youth and people with disabilities
Farah Al-Nas reaches audiences in every part Jordan, including the poorest areas. With "Your Voice, Your Choice" they have in collaboration with local radios been focusing on society's often overlooked groups. Farah Al-Nas Radio Director Haitham Shibli explains:
- "The idea was to get young people and people with disabilities involved in democracy, and to emphasise their rights. We get them involved in elections by interviewing members of parliament on for instance rights to accessibility and public transportation."
Underlining the importance of Farah Al-Nas' work, Shibli emphasises how politicians often ignore people with disabilities:
"Out of all the potential candidates for parliament, not one of them mentioned the rights of people with disabilities. They are very underrepresented, so we support them by giving them confidence and a voice to express themselves."
"Joy of the People"
Farah Al-Nas, which translates to "Joy of the People", is based in Amman and according to the international non-profit organisation IREX became the fastest growing radio station in Jordan only three months after its launch in 2008.
Focusing on youth and people with disabilities has now become part of the long-term mission of the radio, which also includes a special emphasis on women's rights.
"None of the other radios have this focus, and working with around 300 people with disabilities we occupy a very unique niche in the Jordanian media landscape", says Haitham Shibli.
IMS-supported local radio stations from the areas of Maan and Ibird have supported "Your Voice, Your Choice" with local programmes from their communities, thereby extending the initiative across the country.
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