Ghunaimat calls on community media to change stereotyped image of women

AMMAN — There is a need for a national media “scene” that is aware of challenges and capable of suggesting solutions for them, Minister of State for Media Affairs Jumana Ghunaimat said on Monday.

Ghunaimat highlighted the importance of mainstream media outlets, along with community media peers, in fighting false news and rumours and their dangerous impacts on the national identity and values, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Delivering a speech during the launch of the regional conference on empowering the civil society through local media outlets, organised by the Community Media Network, Ghunaimat said that community media outlets play a role that is equally important to that of the mainstream media in reaching citizens in their own local communities.

The government is fully aware of the importance of a partnership between the civil society and community media outlets, and is aware of the role such media can play as a link between the centre and its referrals, Ghunaimat, who is also the government spokesperson, said.

“This takes us to the idea of decentralised media that does not necessarily mean confining the community media to certain geography,” the minister said.

The minister also called on community media outlets to play a role in changing the “stereotypical image of women” and highlighting their political, economic and social role and their presence in the media industry.

For his part, EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana said that strong and independent community media outlets, such as radio stations and digital platforms that focus on local content, are important to enhance the participation of local communities and citizens in the political life, and empowering women at the political level.