(March 3, 2011)
As historic events unfold, local journalists, bloggers, and national media throughout the Middle East and North Africa are examining the role of information in popular movements and are working together to chart a new course for news media. In Tunis, more than 50 professional and citizen reporters gathered for a two-day seminar convened by Internews and the Mohamed Ali Centre for Research, Studies and Training (CEMAREF) in February. Wide-ranging opinions on national media ownership, media law, industry-wide ethics, and the distinction between state and citizen-led media were discussed.
“This is a pivotal time for self-determination among Tunisian media,” said Jamal Dajani, Internews’ Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, who co-chaired the conference. “These forums represent an opportunity for the industry to come together and work for their common goals. There remains a great deal of competition between bloggers and the so-called ‘traditional’ media, but they all want to increase accountability through an open flow of information.”
A week earlier, more than 40 Palestinian journalists gathered for a roundtable on the changes in social media and its impact on society and journalism.
Several of those present said that young people turn to social media because mass media has failed to play its watchdog role. “Youth don’t trust the media in Palestine. It does not relate to them, it does not give a voice to the people. We trust information on Facebook more because it comes from real people,” said journalist Ameed Shihata.
Social media expert Maath Musleh noted that one of the most important things to be done in Palestine is the creation of new media and social media courses in universities. “People need to understand social media tools and its impact to be able to utilise them correctly,” said Musleh. Internews is in the process of creating a multi-media curriculum that includes the use of social media to be taught as an elective course in Palestinian universities.
A roundtable discussion for Egyptian journalists will be hosted by Internews in Cairo on March the 7th.
Internews is currently conducting a humanitarian assessment of the Tunisian and Egyptian borders with Libya. The results will be the mapping of the media landscape in the border areas where migrant workers are stranded and an initial assessment on the need for information and ways to reach those populations. Connections will also be made with the humanitarian community currently working on the ground.