January 7, 2025

An advanced workshop titled “Journalism Unbound: Empowering Freedom of Expression” was held on the sidelines of the 17th ARIJ Annual Forum, titled “Journalism Unbound” held from December 6 to 8, 2024. Sixteen Jordanian journalists participated in the workshop, supported by Free Press Unlimited (FPU). The journalists chosen have been some of the best who concluded the “100 Watts” Fellowship with ARIJ in 2023, and they represent 7 Jordanian governorates (75% females). 

The two-day in-person advanced workshop, totaling 6 hours, is part of the “Empowering Journalists for Accountable and Inclusive Investigative Journalism” project, aimed to strengthen the role of journalists in promoting freedom of expression, accountability, good governance, and ethical reporting. Media literacy and communication expert Bayan Al-Tal led the workshop.

The workshop addressed key topics to enhance journalists’ understanding and application of ethical practices in their work. It explored the foundations of media ethics through a blend of theoretical insights and personal experiences. The sessions tackled common ethical dilemmas in the field and highlighted the role of media literacy in addressing modern journalism challenges.

Practical exercises encouraged participants to develop strategies for ethical decision-making, equipping them with the tools to navigate complex scenarios while maintaining professional integrity.

Bayan Al-Tal is a media literacy and communication consultant. She formerly served as Director General of Jordan TV. She currently heads a team to integrate media literacy into Jordanian textbooks from grades KG2-12.