Radio program aired in five countries courageously dismantle and assess media stories according to international media standards

Every day, journalists around the world put their skills to the test among their audiences as they publish their news reports. Only rarely are viewers, listeners, readers – or even fellow- journalists given a chance to publicly voice their views about the quality of reports from the media.

With financial support from IMS, the Jordan-based media corporation AmmanNet is granting the public the possibility to air their views about the work of the media in a weekly radio program called “Eye on the Arab media” which is broadcast in five Arab countries on a weekly basis. Furthermore, “Eye on the Arab media” has pioneered a new concept in the Arab region by providing fact-based documentation about the quality of media performance.

Reporters affiliated with the program monitor the media in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Egypt and file stories that raise debate over the quality of the performance of the media following internationally recognized standards of reporting. After the radio show is broadcast, it can be downloaded from AmmanNet’s Internet site, or abstracts of the program may be read in the hard copy of AmmanNet’s weekly newsletter, which is distributed, to a growing number of media managers.

The main audience of “Eye on the Arab Media” are the media practitioners themselves who often do not take lightly to the critique their work is subjected to when scrutinized by “Eye on the Arab media”. At the same time, however, the radio program is widely seen to actually accomplishing part of its mission as it has succeeded in generating debate about professional standards of the work of the media.

Another, more subtle success, relates to the fact that “Eye on the Arab Media” is succeeding in launching critique publicly thereby introducing a new concept of self-regulation among media professionals. Furthermore, promoting the findings of the program to a broader audience may in turn contribute to building awareness among the public that ethical standards for media coverage could be and should become a demand of the readers, viewers and listeners.

AmmanNet was the first internet-based radio station in the Arab region, and has since then obtained a broadcast license in Jordan. It was founded by Daoud Kuttab, an experienced and prize-winning journalist originating in Palestine and now based in the capitol of Jordan.

The radio program is produced by a team of reporters at AmmanNet headed by producer, Ms. Sawsan Zaideh, an esteemed reporter herself. With public Danish funds provided through IMS, “Eye on the Arab Media” is able to cover the media situation in five different countries.