The Community Media Network, in partnership with International Media Support (IMS), has announced the launch of a new project aimed at strengthening the sustainability of media coverage of youth issues across the Kingdom’s governorates, through the development of a network of young reporters who have been trained and qualified over recent years.

The project builds on accumulated expertise in which IMS and the Community Media Network have invested in training hundreds of young people, including university students and citizens, in journalism and media skills through professional training programmes supervised by an experienced team of journalists and specialised trainers.

The project aims to empower young people in the governorates to actively participate in public discourse through community media, with a focus on producing media content that reflects their daily concerns and lived realities.

According to etaf Al-Roudan, Director General of the Community Media Network – Radio Al-Balad, “This project comes in response to a genuine need to amplify youth voices, particularly in areas that are less represented in the media, especially outside the capital, Amman. It works to create safe spaces for dialogue and to transform their daily issues into professional media content that reflects their realities and challenges, within a firm institutional vision to promote more inclusive and representative community media that reflects societal diversity and gives real space to young voices.”

"For over a decade, we at International Media Support (IMS) in Jordan have worked on enhancing the skills of young Jordanian women and men, empowering them to produce content that brings their voices from their villages and small towns to the forefront. We want them to have a real impact, and for their stories to be seen and shared with the public through a trusted platform like the Community Media Network." Dina Lada'wi, Program Manager

The project includes a set of key media outputs, including the production of 60 media reports in written, audio, and video formats, led by young members of the reporter network. It also includes the production of 24 radio episodes via Radio Al-Balad, presented by journalist Hadeel Al-Saoubi, featuring in-depth discussions on youth issues with trainees and relevant stakeholders.

In addition, the project includes the production of 100 short videos (Reels) by the Community Media Network team, aiming to reach a wider audience through digital platforms. It also involves the implementation of four brainstorming and needs-assessment sessions in Amman, the North, the Central region, and the South.

At least 50 young men and women from diverse social and geographical backgrounds will participate in these sessions, which are designed as brainstorming meetings rather than technical training. They aim to identify youth priorities and issues, understand local challenges from participants’ perspectives, and generate initial ideas for future media reports.

The key issues proposed for discussion include unemployment and job opportunities, educational disparities between governorates, transportation and public services, health and mental health, as well as environmental issues related to water and climate change.

The outcomes of these sessions are expected to contribute to shaping an initial list of the most important youth issues in Jordan, thereby strengthening the role of community media in amplifying youth voices and bringing their priorities into the public sphere, within a partnership aimed at developing more inclusive and sustainable media.