New media in Jordan
Monday 1 November 2010
, Posted by Shaheen at 05:22
2010 marks the real beginning of the new media era in Jordan. Online newspapers started exerting pressure on the government and stood against the official stance.
The parliament absence gave more importance for the newly born journalism as it has been the only government opponent since his majesty King Abdullah II has dissolved the former parliament. Disputes started as interests conflict, the peak was when the government decided to block online newspapers in its premises and issued a stone ages temporary law to control the new journalism arena that was occupied by sometimes-unwanted-voices.
The reason of the new journalism success was coming basically from its commitment to the daily burdens of Jordan ordinary citizen, people find editors and columnists who touch public pains and concerns, on the contrast to official news papers where journalist try to justify government decisions and convince the people to digest what they don't like.
Another reason is the loyalty of these newspapers to the Hashimite regime. New media does not clash with the fundamentals of this country; on the contrary, those journalists consider themselves the true messengers of the king will in reform and development. Therefore, according to them, they do a very patriotic act by protecting the kingdom interests from governmental powers and official corruption. For all that, new Journalism has been supported by the royal court, this was shown clearly by the royal instruction to amend the electronic media law and edit what upset the new journalists.
Still, new media represents the political environment in Jordan with all of its complications. There are always journalists and publishers who try to use their posts for their own interest and make benefit out of it. Hypocrisy, provoking and lack of professionalism are existed illnesses in Jordan's new media.
The other face of the new media is the blog world, Twitter and Facebook, which have been used mainly by Jordan youth to express themselves, the product is a momentum driving for change and pushing for a wider horizon. Sometime its only a space to vent out but in many cases its a positive change.
7iber.com and Jo twit are good examples on how youth use media to raise their concerns and discuss their views for contemporary issues that definitely affect their presence and future. People there meet virtually and create initiatives to translate their will for a better Jordan in actions. Also, these online communities are needed to fill the space that is left by the official failure to accommodate youths power and translate it into productive bodies. This failure has been shown clearly in universities and high education institutes in Jordan, and it was shown too in "Hay2t shabab kolona alordon" which no one hears about it now.
To sum up, lack of true representative bodies and the bureaucratic administration force people ,especially youth, to go online trying to achieve what they could not achieve offline.
Its a positive driving force, aims to consolidate youths momentum in a healthy environment and a productive endeavor.
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